Warner Home Video has announced a moratorium initiative in North America for two of its best-selling titles. As of May 10, the DVD of Citizen Kane will be pulled from shelves; in July 12, Ben-Hur will follow. Both films are undergoing comprehensive restorations in preparation for their return in 2011 – now on Blu-ray.

Jeff Baker, Warner's Executive Vice President and General Manager, Theatrical Catalog stated, "As in the past, Warner Home Video is, once again, placing two of our 'event' titles on moratorium 12-18 months in advance of major re-releases." He added: "We know that it will be worth the wait, as significant content additions are being developed, and Ben-Hur, in particular, has been selected to receive the Ultimate Collectors Edition treatment, reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind and Woodstock, which celebrated anniversaries in 2009."

Last year, WHV put three movies in moratorium: Caddyshack, Doctor Zhivago and The Exorcist (see blu-ray.com, August 7, 2009). The first two have already been announced on Blu-ray; the third is expected to be announced later in the year.

Note that Ben-Hur had appeared in a provisional release schedule for 2010 (see blu-ray.com, January 27).