Courtesy of the TIMES

New Line Home Entertainment have announced the US Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD release of Pan’s Labyrinth on 26th December 2007 priced at $35.99 SRP each. From director Guillermo Del Toro, Pan's Labyrinth is a fanciful and chilling story set against the backdrop of a fascist regime in 1944 rural Spain. The film centres on Ofelia, a lonely and dreamy child living with her mother and adoptive father; a military officer tasked with ridding the area of rebels. In her loneliness, Ofelia creates a world filled with fantastical creatures and secret destinies. With post-war repression at its height, Ofelia must come to terms with her world through a fable of her own creation.

The film is presented in 1080P 1.85:1 Widescreen with Spanish DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 Surround and optional English, English SDH and Spanish subtitles.

Exclusive HD extras are:

* Enhanced Visual Commentary: Exclusive high definition feature takes you behind the scenes while viewing the film (BD & HD DVD)
* Web Enhanced Features: Additional interactive features available through your HD player’s internet connection (HD DVD only)


Extras carried over from the 2-Disc DVD release and presented in standard definition:

* Video prologue by writer / director Guillermo del Toro
* Feature audio commentary from director Guillermo del Toro
* Marketing Campaign
* ”The Power of Myth” featurette: A discourse on the use of fairy tale mythology in Pan’s Labyrinth
* ”Pan and The Fairies (El Fauno y Las Hadas)” featurette: Del Toro unravels the intricate colour and texture coding present in all his work
* The Charlie Rose Show featuring filmmakers Del Toro, Alfonso Cuaron and Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu
* DVD Comics: Animated plates present prequel stories for The Giant Toad, The Fairies, Pan and The Pale Man
* Director’s Notebook: Interactive menu pages access video pods that feature exclusive interviews with Del Toro – Lost Character: El Hombre de Madera; Torture of The Maquis; The Phases of the Moon; Iconography: Echo…Echo…; The Underground Kingdom: Miniature Construction; The Mill: Set Design
* Multi-Angle Storyboard / Thumbnail Compares
* VFX Plate Compare: Guillermo del Toro and The Green Fairy
* Galleries: Production Design, DDT Creature Design & Production Scrapbook


The Blu-ray Disc release is coded for Region A, but so is the HD DVD release if you believe the back cover artwork. We’re certain it’s just a mistake as there is no region coding on HD DVD, but it’s bound to get chins wagging over the next few days!

Awesome. I can clear it off my HD DVR. This is going to be a nice upgrade over the DVD, which pales in comparison to the HD broadcast.

Looks like it's the HD version for me, for the added bonus features. What's with the DTS-HD MA audio? I might have to get the A35 at this point.

I'll definitely be getting the HD DVD, for the web content. Althought the BD case matches up better with the cover, imo. However, with recent films, I wish all studios would present the extras in high-definition. It would be nice to have everything on the HD disc to be in...well, HD.

I did not like this movie, I saw it off my HD DVR. A bit ovverrated in this forum IMHO

My one complaint about Bluray cases is that I always think they're Disney movies.

Great flick, will likely pick this up.

Pan's Labyrinth grossed nearly $40 million in the U.S. (it's the highest-grossing Spanish-language film release of all time here) and won 3 Oscars. So it's not just the people in this forum who rate it highly.

HD-DVD version for me.

Sorry to sidetrack, but personally I don't think grosses mean a heck of a lot in terms of quality. And I really don't think that there is much competition in the Spanish-language film releases category.

But I will say the visuals in the movie are interesting, and worth a look. The story isn't very good though IMHO

I think it's overrated in a lot of forums... but it's still a pretty cool flick. Too bad the US didn't get a steelbook BD though.

I felt it was overrated when I first saw it on DVD, but over time I've come to appreciate it more. I think it's a grower.

Hells yeah! Hopefully I'll have my new TV by then...

I want that collector's box set.

held out on the dvd...red box for me

This is the first movie my fiancee and I went and seen, so there is history behind the movie.

We both enjoyed it, no matter the revenue grossing in the states

HD 4 ME

My favorite movie of '06 by far. Glad I managed to hold out for the HD DVD, but it wasn't easy.

Put me down for the HD DVD. Looking forward to this!

I barely resisted buying the DVD, opting instead for the HBO HD presentation. I can't wait for the HD DVD.

Had Scorsese not released "The Departed" that same year, this would have easily been my favorite film of '06. Can't wait to get it. HD DVD for me.

This is a no brainer for me. I'd love to see this in high def.

Mark me down for the Blu-ray, and I haven't even seen it yet (been holding out for the eventual high def release)

SOB - I knew I should've waited on my DVD purchase. This will be my first DVD to HD-DVD double dip, even though I plan on getting AoD in the near future on HD-DVD too.

Wow, definitely picking this up. Probably my favorite movie released last year.

Doug Jones is making an appearance at a local comic-con in early December here in Northern California. I guess I'll keep my SD copy for him to sign and pick up the HD copy later that month.

Another one getting the HD DVD here. I've been holding out for this release.

The MSRP isn't quite as bad as Fox's blu-rays. I'll check it out.

Just noticed this comes out after Christmas and I have that week off from work I'll be spending a lot more money than I should be.

I was so close to experience my first time on DVD, but I was wary because I knew it was out in HD-DVD in other countries, and studios would be crazy not to release this in HD in America.