BATMAN: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 coming to Blu-ray (Mar 10)

> See Link to our Blu-ray Review (further below)

The first four films that launched the BATMAN legacy and successful franchise are now available for the first time on Blu-ray!

Presented on five Blu-ray discs, with a bonus Digital Copy of "BATMAN" (first film) - download a full-length standard definition copy of the film to your iPod or PC!

Warner Home Video has announced a March 10, 2009 date for the Blu-ray high-definition debut of BATMAN: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 (5-disc Box Set) - available on Blu-ray as a Collection only, for $129.95 SRP.

Batman is one of the Top 10 most successful franchises in motion picture history. The first four films grossed over $1 Billion at the worldwide box office (over $450 million domestically) and have sold over 50 million gross units to date!

The Anthology includes a Digital Copy of BATMAN (first film) - download a full-length standard definition copy of the film to your iPod or PC. Over 18 hours of special features including must-see profiles, making-of featurettes, documentaries and commentaries from directors Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher, deleted scenes, 9 music videos, and many more extras (full details below).

Note: these four movies are also now available on DVD as Singles ($12.97 SRP) and 2-Disc Special Editions ($26.99 SRP) -- and as a Box Set Collection ($79.92 SRP) that arrives March 10.

This year the BAT goes BLU… BATMAN - Batman (Michael Keaton) vs. The Joker (Jack Nicholson) in the amazing first extravaganza! With Kim Basinger. BATMAN RETURNS - The Bat (Michael Keaton), the Cat (Michelle Pfeiffer), the Penguin (Danny DeVito). And Christopher Walken, too! BATMAN FOREVER - Riddle me this: The Dark Knight (Val Kilmer) bat-battles Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones) and the Riddler (Jim Carrey). With Nicole Kidman, Chris O'Donnell. BATMAN & ROBIN - Will Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) put the world on ice? George Clooney wears the hero's cape. Also with Chris O'Donnell, Uma Thurman, Alicia Silverstone. All four box office hits on Blu-Ray for the very first time!

BATMAN is back sharper than ever on March 10 when Warner Home Video releases BATMAN: The Motion Picture Anthology 1989-1997 in Blu-ray™ Hi-Def. The first four Warner Bros. Batman films, which grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, started the film franchise 20 years ago on its road to becoming a global phenomenon and ultimately one of the top ten most successful film franchises in motion picture history.

In 1989, director Tim Burton (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Beatlejuice, Corpse Bride) breathed new life into one of the most complex and intriguing characters in popular culture. With his modern vision of Batman, Burton cast off the 1960s camp depiction of the Dark Knight and launched one of the most successful comic book film series ever. Starring Michael Keaton as Batman and Academy Award®-winner Jack Nicholson as The Joker, Batman was the top grossing movie of 1989 with a box-office total of more than $250 million. Burton and Keaton returned for the second installment, Batman Returns, joined by co-stars Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman and Danny DeVito as The Penguin.

In 1995, Burton passed the reins to Joel Schumacher (The Phantom of the Opera, Phone Booth) who injected the franchise with his unique style and included even more star power and action. Schumacher's Batman Forever and Batman & Robin features Val Kilmer and George Clooney, respectively, as the Caped Crusader and included all-star casts with Jim Carrey, Nicole Kidman, Drew Barrymore, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tommy Lee Jones and Uma Thurman.

>> Blu-ray Review by John J. Puccio and Josh Lambert (all four films) »
EXCERPT: In any case, the four-disc package is fun in high-def picture and sound, and given the movies involved, heck, three out of four ain't bad.

BATMAN: Tim Burton's ingenuity, Michael Keaton's and Jack Nicholson's star turns, and the excellent supporting cast would go for naught, however, if it weren't for Anton Furst's production design and Peter Young's set decoration, which combined for an Academy Award; Roger Pratt's cinematography; and Danny Elfman's original music (but maybe not Prince's song contributions). One look at and one listen to this movie's opening sequence alone, and you know it's "Batman," a unique work of considerable influence and imagination. Silly touches aside, like the overambitious Batmobile and Batplane, this movie is the yardstick by which we have measured all subsequent "Batman" movies.

(Click thru the above link to read the full reviews for all four films, including comments on the audio/video mastering quality)

BONUS FEATURES include:
• Bonus Digital Copy of "BATMAN" (first film) - download a full-length copy of the film to your iPod or PC

BATMAN
Behind the Story:
• Commentary by director Tim Burton
• On the set with Bob Kane
• Legends of the DARK KNIGHT: The History of BATMAN – The BATMAN Comic Book Saga as reinvented and reinterpreted over nearly seven decades
Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the DARK KNIGHT Parts 1-3:
• The Road to GOTHAM
• The Gathering Storm
• The Legend Reborn
Beyond BATMAN (Documentary Gallery):
• Visualizing GOTHAM: The production design of BATMAN
• Building the BATMOBILE
• Those Wonderful Toys: The Props and Gadgets of BATMAN
• Designing the BAT-SUIT
• From Jack to THE JOKER
• Nocturnal Overtures: The Music of BATMAN
Music Videos – 3 Music Videos by Prince:
• "Batdance"
• "Partyman"
• "Scandalous"
• BATMAN: The Heroes (Profile Galleries): BATMAN, VICKI VALE, ALEXANDER KNOX, COMMISSIONER GORDON, HARVEY DENT
• Batman: The Villains (Profile Galleries): THE JOKER, BOB THE GOON
• BATMAN: The Complete ROBIN Storyboard Sequence
• Trailer
• Theatrical trailer

BATMAN RETURNS
Behind the Story:
• Commentary by Tim Burton - Sit with director Tim Burton and explore this dark sequel
• THE BAT, THE CAT and THE PENGUIN - Cast and crew recall the making of this equally spectacular sequel
• Shadows of the Bat Pt. 4: Dark Side of the Knight - Hear from the cast and crew to learn how this sequel came to be
• BATMAN: The Heroes: BATMAN, ALFRED
• BATMAN: The Villains: THE PENGUIN, CATWOMAN, MAX SHRECK
• Beyond BATMAN
• GOTHAM CITY Revisited: The Production Design of BATMAN Returns
• Sleek, Sexy and Sinister: The Costumes of BATMAN Returns
• Making-up THE PENGUIN
• Assembling the Arctic Army
• Bats, Mattes and Dark Nights: The Visual Effects of BATMAN
• Inside the Elfman Studio: The Music of BATMAN Returns
• Music Video: "Face to Face" by Souixsie and the Banshees
• Trailers
• Theatrical trailer

BATMAN FOREVER
Behind the Story:
• Commentary by director Joel Schumacher
• RIDDLER ME THIS: Why is BATMAN Forever? – How a new director and cast created a new vision of Gotham's classic good and bad guys
• Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the DARK KNIGHT Part 5: Reinventing a Hero - The BATMAN Franchise is reenergized with a new look and new characters, bringing fun to the set and success at the box office
• Beyond BATMAN (Documentary Gallery)
• Out of the Shadows: The production design of Batman Forever - Barbara Ling explains how each location in famed Gotham City was modernized and customized to each character
• The Many faces of GOTHAM CITY - See how the costumes and make-up of Batman Forever contributes to the new and edgy look
• Knight Moves: The Stunts of Batman Forever - Go behind the scenes with stuntman Keith Campbell, as he demonstrates how some of the most difficult stunts are set-up and executed
• Imaging Forever: The Visual Effects of Batman Forever - A look back at the special effects of the movie, at the beginning of the Digital Age of movie-making
• Scoring Forever: The Music of Batman Forever - Sit in on a scoring session of Batman Forever and listen to composer Elliot Goldenthal as he discusses the sound chosen for the movie
• Additional Footage: Escape from ARKHAM ASYLUM, TWO-FACE's hate, Beauty and the BATMAN, Dick's pain, Bruce's dilemma, The secret of the BATCAVE, Does it ever end?
• Music Video: "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal
• Batman: The Heroes - Brief character analysis of the characters of BATMAN heroes by the filmmakers, cast and fans: BATMAN, ROBIN, DR. CHASE MERIDIAN
• BATMAN: The Villains – Brief character analyses of the characters of BATMAN villains by the filmmakers, cast and fans: THE RIDDLER, TWO-FACE
• Trailer
• Theatrical trailer

BATMAN & ROBIN
Behind the Story:
• Commentary by director Joel Schumacher
• Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight Part 6: BATMAN Unbound - Cast and crew discuss the casting, controversies, and fan anticipation and reaction to the fourth installment of the BATMAN franchise
• Beyond BATMAN Documentary Gallery
• Bigger, Bolder, Brighter: The production design of BATMAN and ROBIN - Take a look behind the scenes of the biggest character environments and the unique new inventions
• Maximum Overdrive: The Vehicles of BATMAN and ROBIN - Highlights on the redesign of the Batmobile, ROBIN's motorcycle, and the Mr. Freeze machine
• Dressed to Thrill: The Costumes of BATMAN and ROBIN - The design and manufacturing of the hot and heavy, and certain anatomically correct costumes is discussed by the costume crew
• Frozen Freaks and Femme Fatales: The Makeup of BATMAN and ROBIN - Check out all of the details that go into the special effects make-up and hair as the crew transforms the actors into their characters
• Freeze Frame: The Visual Effects of BATMAN and ROBIN - With more technology available than previously seen in BATMAN movies, filmmakers pushed the envelope in using visual effects
• Additional footage - Deleted Scene: ALFRED's Lost Love
Music Videos:
• "The End is the Beginning is the End" by the Smashing Pumpkins
• "Look into My Eyes" by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
• "Gotham City" by R. Kelly
• "Foolish Games" by Jewel

Film Synopsis:

BATMAN (1989) (126 min)
Tim Burton's direction and Michael Keaton's performance combine perfectly in this first film to capture the sinister atmosphere of GOTHAM CITY and the brooding nature of Batman. Jack Nicholson almost steals the movie as the maniacal villain, THE JOKER and Kim Basinger is VICKI VALE, the beautiful and resourceful photojournalist desired by both men.

Jack Nicholson is the Joker, who emerged from a horrible accident as a maniacal criminal. Michael Keaton is the Caped Crusader, who emerged from a childhood trauma to become a masked crime fighter. Kim Basinger is Vicki Vale, the talented photojournalist desired by both men. And Batman is the movie, the all-out spectacular directed by Tim Burton, set to songs by Prince and a music score by Danny Elfman, and an Academy Award® winner for Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (Anton Furst and Peter Young).

BATMAN RETURNS (1992) (126 min)
Gotham City faces two monstrous criminal menaces: the bizarre, sinister Penguin (Danny DeVito) and the slinky, mysterious Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer). Can Batman (Michael Keaton) battle two formidable foes at once? Especially when one wants to be mayor and the other is romantically attracted to Bruce Wayne? Like the groundbreaking 1989 original, Batman Returns is directed by the wizardly Tim Burton. And like the first blockbuster, it's a dazzling adventure that leaves you breathless.

Having defeated THE JOKER, BATMAN now faces THE PENGUIN – a warped and deformed individual intent on being accepted into Gotham society. The plot is further complicated by Selina Kyle, a wronged secretary who transforms into the slinky, mysterious CATWOMAN. Michael Keaton reprises his role as BATMAN; Danny DeVito stars as THE PENGUIN and Michelle Pfeiffer is the new face of CATWOMAN in this second installment of the series, directed by Tim Burton.

BATMAN FOREVER (1995) (121 min)
Riddle me this, riddle me that, you'll find adventure on the wings of a bat! Brace for excitement as Batman (Val Kilmer), Two-Face (Tommy Lee Jones), the Riddler (Jim Carrey), Dr. Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman) and Robin (Chris O'Donnell) star in the third formidable film in Warner Bros.' Batman series. Joel Schumacher directs and Tim Burton co-produces this thrill-ride of a movie that thunders along on Batmobile, Batwing, Batboat, Batsub and bold heroics. Hang on!

The Dark Knight of Gotham City returns to confront two more villains – TWO-FACE and THE RIDDLER in BATMAN FOREVER directed by Joel Schumacher and co-produced by Tim Burton. Trusty superhero sidekick, ROBIN, also makes his first appearance in this film. Val Kilmer (BATMAN), Tommy Lee Jones (TWO-FACE), Jim Carrey (THE RIDDLER), Nicole Kidman (DR. CHASE MERIDIAN) and Chris O'Donnell (ROBIN) star.

BATMAN & ROBIN (1997) (125 min)
George Clooney plays the Dark Knight, facing his deadliest threat yet: cold-hearted Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and venomous Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman). Batman has more than Gotham City to protect: the youthful eagerness of crimefighting comrades Robin (Chris O'Donnell) and Batgirl (Alicia Silverstone) puts them frequently in harm's way. New very special effects include a wild sky-surfing sequence and Mr. Freeze's outrageous arsenal of ice-blasting weapons.

George Clooney is BATMAN, facing his deadliest threats yet: the cold-hearted MR. FREEZE (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and venomous POISON IVY (Uma Thurman). This time, BATMAN also has to protect his crime fighting comrades ROBIN (Chris O'Donnell) and BATGIRL (Alicia Silverstone), whose youthful eagerness frequently puts them in harm's way. Outstanding special effects include a wild sky-surfing sequence and MR. FREEZE's outrageous arsenal of ice-blasting weapons. Joel Schumacher directs from a screenplay by Academy Award-winner Akiva Goldsman (Cinderella Man, A Beautiful Mind).