DVD News
300 marches onto DVD, HD DVD, and Blu-ray Disc in July
By Patrick Luce
Jun 6, 2007, 23:36 GMT

Get ready for a cutting-edge, heart-pounding, visual masterpiece on July 31st when 300 arrives on DVD, HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc from Warner Home Video.  Based on the stylized graphic novel from icon Frank Miller (Sin City), 300 is an epic action-adventure about the 300 Spartan warriors led by the heroic King Leonidas who challenged Xerxes and his massive Persian army at the ancient Battle of Thermopylae.  Facing insurmountable odds, they fought to the death to defend their honor and freedom, inspiring all of Greece to unite against the enemy.

300 will be available on Single Disc at a suggested retail price of $28.98 in both widescreen and full frame formats.  The 2-Disc Special Edition DVD will be available in widescreen format for a suggested retail price of $34.99.  The HD DVD Combo will be available at a suggested retail price of $39.99 and the Blu-ray Disc version will be available at a suggested retail price of $34.99. 

From visionary filmmaker Zack Snyder (upcoming The Watchmen, Dawn of the Dead), 300 combines stunning live action with virtual backgrounds and features spectacular performances from Gerard Butler (The Phantom of the Opera, Reign of Fire), Lena Headey (The Brothers Grimm, The Cave) David Wenham (The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) and Rodrigo Santoro (Love Actually, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle).

The 2-Disc Special Edition and hi-definition versions are loaded with over 90 minutes of thrilling extras, including additional scenes and revealing featurettes on the real-life Spartans.  With the HD DVD Combo, experience the entire film with “blue screen” picture-in-picture running throughout the feature and special commentary by Zack Snyder, plus an exclusive strategy game “Vengeance and Valor.” 

SYNOPSIS

The epic graphic novel by Frank Miller (Sin City) assaults the screen with the blood, thunder and awe of its ferocious visual style faithfully recreated in an intense blend of live-action and CGI animation. Retelling the ancient Battle of Thermopylae, it depicts the titanic clash in which King Leonidas (Gerard Butler) and 300 Spartans fought to the death against Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his massive Persian army. Experience history at swordpoint. And moviemaking with a cutting edge.  

DVD ELEMENTS

The 2 Disc Special Edition features over 90 minutes of special features including:
• 300 SPARTANS – FACT OR FICTION?: The Shocking Life of  a Spartan Revealed
• ADDITIONAL SCENES of the Traitorous Hunchback and Never-Before-Seen Giant Warriors
• FRANK MILLER’s vision realized on film

The HD DVD COMBO features the following special features:
• BLUESCREEN PICTURE-IN-PICTURE VERSION: Director Zack Snyder Compares the Pre-CGI-Enhanced Version to the Finished Film
• ADDITIONAL SCENES of the Traitorous Hunchback and Never-Before-Seen Giant Warriors [in High Definition]
• FRANK MILLER’s Vision Realized on Film [in High Definition]
• 300 SPARTANS – FACT OR FICTION?: The Shocking Life of  a Spartan Revealed [in High Definition]
• WHO WERE THE SPARTANS?:  How the Actors Built Their Characters Based on Spartan Customs [in High Definition]
• WEBISODES: Go on Set with the Cast and Crew
• Exclusive to HD DVD Game Vengeance and Valor: Lead More Spartan Warriors into Battle Against Xerxes’ Forces and Test Your Combat-Hardened Knowledge of Tactics and Strategy
• PICK YOUR FAVORITE SCENES: Assemble Your Favorite Clips and Create Your Own Montage
• WEB-ENABLED FEATURES: Cool Mobile Downloads

The Blu-ray Disc features the following special features:
• ADDITIONAL SCENES of the Traitorous Hunchback and Never-Before-Seen Giant Warriors [in High Definition]
• FRANK MILLER’s Vision Realized on Film [in High Definition]
• 300 SPARTANS – FACT OR FICTION?: The Shocking Life of  a Spartan Revealed [in High Definition]
• WHO WERE THE SPARTANS?:  How the Actors Built Their Characters Based on Spartan Customs [in High Definition]
• WEBISODES: Go on Set with the Cast and Crew
• COMMENTARY by Director Zack Snyder – and MORE!

300 (Two-Disc Special Edition) is now available for pre-order at Amazon. It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for a Sept. 17th release. Visit the DVD database for more information. M&C will be teaming with Warner Bros. to giveaway five copies of the DVD. Check back in July to enter to win.