Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End --> December 4th!
 

The third “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie has become the first of the big summer theatrical blockbusters to be slotted for home video release in the fourth quarter.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, which since its May 27 theatrical opening has grossed more than $301 million in U.S. theaters and a total of more than $946 million worldwide, will arrive on DVD and Blu-ray Disc Dec. 4, according to Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

The official announcement, expected to be made today at San Diego Comic-Con International, doesn’t come as much of a surprise, industry observers say. Disney is following the same strategy it successfully employed with the first two “Pirates” movies, which also were released on DVD in December at the tail end of the fourth quarter.

In each case, skeptics wondered whether such a late date would let the DVD pick up sufficient traction before the holidays hit, but each time Disney’s gamble that impulse buying and pent-up demand would send sales numbers through the roof paid off. Last December, consumers picked up 10.5 million DVDs of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest in a single week, the biggest first-week tally of any DVD release that year. Three years earlier, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, also a December release, moved 11 million videos its first week in stores, 90% of them on DVD.

“Pirates” No. 3 didn’t fare as well at the box office as its two predecessors. The first “Pirates” grossed $305.4 million in U.S. theaters, while the second film in the franchise arrived on video with a domestic theatrical pedigree of $423 million. But Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, is hoping for another sales record, particularly since the film will make its home video debut in three different versions: a single-disc DVD, a two-disc special edition DVD, and a high-definition Blu-ray Disc, the next-generation format rapidly building up steam among consumers.

“This December we’re thrilled to be giving ‘Pirates’ fans even more to cheer about as we bring the biggest worldwide box office hit of 2007 to DVD and high-definition Blu-ray Disc,” Chapek said. “Both versions will be loaded with stunning bonus materials that will make ‘Pirates’ the perfect gift this holiday.”

Indeed, both the two-disc “Pirates” DVD and the two-disc, 75GB Blu-ray Disc edition come with hours of bloopers and other extras, including a detailed breakdown of the “Maelstrom” sequence, a documentary on the history of piracy and the pirate code, a look at the relationship between Keith Richards and Johnny Depp; five individual documentaries on the film’s design teams, and featurettes on the special effects used to create multiple Captain Jacks; composer Hans Zimmer, who provided the score; Chow Yun-Fat, who plays the devious Captain Sao Feng; and the legendary Pirate Lords and their costume designs, origins and personalities.

The Blu-ray Disc edition also contains an interactive exploration of the “Maelstrom” battle sequence between the Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman, with its groundbreaking blend of live-action footage and computer-aided special effects. The BD-Java feature, developed and produced by Disney and programmed by the Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory, lets viewers explore the Palmdale, Calif. hangar that housed the ships and sets, with in-feature pop-ups and icons that reveal multimedia content about how the maelstrom was created, from set construction to special effects. They can either explore the set on their own or take an hour-long tour hosted by film producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

Bruckheimer said the shoot was “so real [it helped the actors] get into character.” “On the other hand, they were pelted with 60-mile-an-hour winds and water and had stuff thrown at them,” he said.

Bruckheimer said he is a big fan of Blu-ray. He also had a hand in many of the extras on the discs, including the behind-the-scenes explorations of the movie-making process.

“I think the audience likes to see how things are made,” he said.

Really?? I would have never thought 3 weeks before christmas would be considered LATE for holiday shopping. I'm usually in the store on the 24th looking for things to buy people.

Haven't seen any of these, but I'd like to at some point.
Any word on a boxed set?

Looking forward to this release. Thanks for the heads up Mao! :up:

Picking up the Blu-ray for sure. The movie was not as good as the first, but better than the second, thanks to the return of Geoffrey Rush. Thanks for the heads up, Mao

Looking forward to this.

preordered my BluRay copy from Amazon!

woot!

I hope the BD extras are in HD for this release.

Sweet, 2-disc'll be mine.

No doubt there will be a boxset of all three films, but since I already own the 2-disc editions of the first and second film I will just go ahead and get the stand-alone 2-disc DVD. Best Buy and Future Shop will probably/hopefully have exclusives similar to the ones they had for DMC (bonus disc and a steelcase, respectively).

Press release:

#1 Worldwide Box Office Hit of 2007 Washes Ashore on Disney DVD & Blu-ray Disc(R) on December 4; The Most Thrilling Adventure Yet in the Blockbuster Franchise

BURBANK, CA -- 07/26/07 -- Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment presents "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" like you have never experienced it before on Disney DVD and stunning high-definition Blu-ray Disc® loaded with an armada of bonus materials. Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley and Geoffrey Rush lead a stellar cast in the biggest, most thrilling installment of the blockbuster franchise, filled with spectacular visual effects, exotic locales and breathtaking action. "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" arrives in time for the holidays on multiple platforms including 2-disc DVD and 2-disc 75GB Blu-ray sets featuring hours of extra material highlighted by bloopers and extensive behind-the-scenes content -- plus the Blu-ray exclusive Enter the Maelstrom: a BD-Java feature that takes Blu-ray interactivity to an astounding new level! Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Gore Verbinski, "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," which catapulted to become the #1 global box office hit of 2007 to date with over $946 million generated at the box office, arrives December 4 on multiple platforms, including a 2-disc DVD for the SRP of $34.99, 2-disc 75GB Blu-ray for the SRP of $35.99, and single-disc DVD for the SRP of $29.99.

Captain Jack Sparrow returns in a massively entertaining epic adventure beyond the very ends of the earth in the #1 worldwide box office phenomenon of 2007. Join Elizabeth, Will, and Captain Barbossa as they navigate through treacherous lands, mysterious lore, and supernatural wonders of the pirate world. Meet the legendary pirate lords as they prepare for a titanic clash with the ruthless Lord Beckett and Davy Jones' fearsome Flying Dutchman.

The "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" 2-disc Disney DVD set immerses users in hours of behind-the-scenes content and pirate lore from the four corners of the earth. Features include a behind-the-scenes documentary, "Keith & the Captain"; "Anatomy of a Scene: The Maelstrom"; "The Tale of the Multiple Jacks"; "Hoist the Colors"; "Masters of Design"; "Inside the Brethren Court"; "The Pirate Code: Revealed"; "The World of Chow Yun Fat"; "The Pirate Maestro: The Music of Hans Zimmer"; "Bloopers of the Caribbean"; and much, much more!

Relive the breathtaking action and mind-boggling special effects in glorious high-definition detail with the "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" Blu-ray 2-disc release. The Blu-ray Disc high-definition feature film presentation was created from the original digital source files, delivering an unequaled, demo-worthy home viewing experience. Marvel at the wondrous 1080p detail of Davy Jones' slimy, barnacle-encrusted crew and tremble at the ground-shaking cannonade of ship to ship battles with 7.1 channels surround, 48 kHz, 24-bit uncompressed audio -- you'll swear you smell the gun powder and feel the salty sea-spray splash across your face!

The Blu-ray Disc release includes all of the standard DVD bonus content re-mastered in high-definition, plus exclusive BD-Java enhanced features including "Enter the Maelstrom," an extensive interactive look at the climactic sequence of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and the return of the Jolly Roger host, who navigates users through animated menus with state-of-the-art BD-Java enabled artificial intelligence. This scurvy scallywag entertainingly guides you through the pirate waters of your Blu-ray experience, responding to your actions (and inactions) with humorous commentary.

About "Enter The Maelstrom"

"Enter the Maelstrom," the exclusive showpiece of the Blu-ray Disc, takes you deep into the perilous whirlpool of the Maelstrom, a sequence of unimaginable scale. The colossal battle between the Black Pearl and the Flying Dutchman stands as one of the most impressive action set pieces in cinema history with its photorealistic blend of live-action footage and computer-aided FX wizardry. Jerry Bruckheimer hosts the BD-Java feature -- a one-hour immersive, interactive tour that explores the sequence from stem to stern, covering everything you would want to know and more about this awe-inspiring cinematic achievement. Explore the Palmdale hanger that housed the sets from floor to ceiling seamlessly through an interactive, time-lapse footage interface. In-feature pop-ups and selectable icons appear throughout the time-lapse footage over different areas of the massive set; navigating to each of these reveals multimedia content about how the Maelstrom was created, from set construction to special effects. Discover the Maelstrom on your own, or take a tour of the highlights of the set with Jerry Bruckheimer, who also provides optional commentary throughout the feature.

"Enter the Maelstrom" is a BD-Java interactive feature that was developed and produced by Disney and programmed by Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory. Panasonic is a key technology provider for BD-Java or Blu-ray Disc Java, which is the interactive platform supporting advanced content for Blu-ray Disc. BD-Java allows bonus content on Blu-ray Disc titles to be far more sophisticated then bonus content provided by standard definition DVD. Panasonic also handled the film's AVC video compression (Advanced Video Coding; a digital video codec standard that is noted for achieving very high data compression) direct from digital intermediates as well as menu authoring for Disc 1 of the Blu-ray 2-disc set.

Synopsis

Just when he's needed most, Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), that witty and wily charmer of a pirate, is trapped on a sea of sand in Davy Jones' Locker. In an increasingly shaky alliance, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) begin a desperate quest to find and rescue him. Captain Jack's the last of the nine Pirate Lords of the Brethren Court who must come together united in one last stand to preserve the freedom-loving pirates' way of life. From exotic Singapore, to World's End and beyond, from Shipwreck Island, to a titanic battle, this adventure's filled with over-the-edge action, irreverent humor and seafaring myth and magic. Everything has led to this twisting, turning, wild swashbuckling ride in this final chapter of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy.

"PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END"

2-Disc Disney DVD Bonus Materials

DISC 1


-- Feature Film Presentation
-- Bloopers of the Caribbean - hilarious outtakes of cast and crew


DISC 2


-- Anatomy of a Scene: The Maelstrom - a detailed breakdown of one of
cinema's most complex and impressive action set pieces
-- Keith & the Captain - A revealing look at the dynamic relationship
between living legends Keith Richards and Johnny Depp
-- Tale of the Multiple Jacks - an in-depth look at the mind-blowing FX
that went into creating multiple Captain Jacks
-- Hoist the Colors - reveals the inspiration for the "Hoist the Colors"
original composition
-- Masters of Design - five individual documentaries highlighting the
talented design teams behind this immense production
- #1: Jim Byrkit and The Map
- #2: Crash McCreary and the Krusty Pirates
- #3: Rick Heinrichs and the Singapore Set
- #4: Penny Rose and the Captain Teague Costumes
- #5: Chris Peck and the Pirate Code Book
-- Inside the Brethren Court - a closer look at the legendary Pirate Lords
and their costume designs, origins and unique personalities
-- The Pirate Code: Revealed - explores the pirate code and the history
of piracy
-- The World of Chow Yun Fat - a look at the man behind devious Captain
Sao Feng, international sensation Chow Yun Fat, and his meteoric rise
to fame
-- The Pirate Maestro: The Music of Hans Zimmer - meet the renowned
composer who created the film's rousing score


"PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END"

Blu-ray 2-Disc Bonus Materials

DISC 1


-- Feature Film Presentation
-- Jolly Roger Host - BD-Java Exclusive


DISC 2


-- Enter the Maelstrom - BD-Java Exclusive
-- All Standard DVD Bonus Content - available in high-definition


"PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END"

Single Disc Disney DVD Bonus Materials

DISC 1


-- Feature Film Presentation
-- Feature Audio Commentary
-- Bloopers of the Caribbean



TITLE INFORMATION
2-Disc Disney DVD SRP $34.99 U.S.; $41.99 Canada
Blu-ray Disc SRP: $35.99 U.S.; $45.99 Canada
Single Disc Disney DVD SRP: $29.99 U.S.; $37.99 Canada
Running Time: Approximately 150 minutes
MPAA Rating: U.S. PG-13 for Intense Sequences of
Adventure Violence, Including Frightening
Images; Bonus Material Not Rated
Languages: U.S. DVD: English, Spanish; Canada DVD:
English, Spanish; Blu-ray Disc: English,
Spanish, French
Subtitles: U.S. DVD: English SDH, Spanish; Canada DVD:
English SDH, Spanish; Blu-ray: English SDH,
Spanish, French
Cast: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom,
Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Chow Yun Fat,
Tom Hollander and Jonathan Pryce
Director: Gore Verbinski
Writers: Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio
Producer: Jerry Bruckheimer
Blu-ray Disc Sound: 5.1 48 kHz, 24-bit uncompressed sound
(English)
5.1 Dolby Digital
(English, French, Spanish)
Blu-ray Disc Encoding: AVC
Blu-ray Disc Resolution: 1080p


Artwork is available at www.BVHEpublicity.com

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista product, which includes DVD, Blu-ray Disc® and electronic distribution. Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is a division of The Walt Disney Studios.

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Note that the Press Release doesn't list a Feature Audio Commentary for the 2-Disc DVD or Blu-Ray versions. I'm sure it's just a mistake in the Press Release. I can't imagine that they would only include the Feature Audio Commentary on the single-disc version.

The BD will be mine.

This will certainly be a blind buy for me (unsure if SD or BD though)...

Were there bloopers for the first two DVDs?

Loved this movie, cant wait for this one.

This movie seriously needs an extended edition for extra scenes such as the whole storyline involving:



No extended edition = no sale.

I didn't like this film nearly as much as the first one, and thought it was pretty much on par with the weaker second film, but I'll still pick up the 2-disc set. Maybe I'll enjoy it more when I can watch it in the comfort of my own home, distraction free.

Cool, definite buy for me in order to complete the Pirates trilogy.

Of course they'll release a box set of the trilogy, but I'll stick with the 2-disc version to pair with the others.

Will the scene after the credits be included?

The lack of DTS for the last two films SUCKS.

I wanted to hear the final battle in full-blown 5.1 dts.

Of course. Those appear on all of the movies that have them, and on the first two Pirates films.

A whole featurette dedicated to Chow Yun Fat's career? Looks like some people are feeling guilty over wasting his character in the movie.

Sweet. Thanks OP!

Definitely going to be picking up the Blu-Ray disc.

SO the one disk has commentary but the 2-disk does not?
This has gotta be a mistake unless they are gonna make you buy both releases too get all the extras.
Wouldn't that be F'ed up?
Anyway just like the Matrix Trilogy , I found the 3rd Pirates film to be an extreme dissapointment seeing as how I really enjoyed the first two.
I own the 2-diskers of both Pirates 1 & 2 and it would be nice to have the complete trilogy but damn i just really wish the movie was good....
I'll need to think about this one.