Foundrywire

In 1939, animation pioneers Max and Dave Fleischer (Betty Boop, Popeye, Superman) made motion picture history when Paramount Pictures released their masterpiece, Gulliver’s Travels, the second feature-length animated film produced by a U.S. studio. This enchanting adaptation of Jonathan Swift’s classic 18th century novel went on to earn two Academy Award® nominations for Best Original Song (“Faithful Forever”) and Best Score, and is considered one of the greatest achievements in animation history. Seventy years later, E1 Entertainment proudly presents a digitally restored, re-mastered and enhanced MAX FLEISCHER’S GULLIVER’S TRAVELS on DVD ($14.98 SRP) and – for the first time ever in any HD format – Blu-ray ($19.98 SRP). This painstakingly crafted edition includes the complete 77 minute feature plus two fully restored “Gabby” cartoons and the Fleischer Studios documentary short “The Making of a Cartoon” – all contributing to make this the most definitive version of the film ever released on any home entertainment format.

This March, E1 Entertainment releases two outstanding DVD titles as part of their Imperial War Museum Collection. These Oscar® winning documentaries, DESERT VICTORY (1944) and THE TRUE GLORY (1946), are presented on DVD for the first time, each providing a permanent visual record of the WWII military campaigns in North Africa and Europe. Each 2-DVD set features four additional bonus documentaries, which compliment the feature film with additional footage and information. The IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM: DESERT VICTORY and IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM: THE TRUE GLORY DVDs are essential viewing for WWII and history aficionados and arrive in stores on March 17 for $24.98SRP each.

Long before Austin Powers claimed the title, John Mannering – the original international man of mystery - traveled the world as an antiques dealer working undercover with the British Intelligence to bring art thieves and shady criminals to justice. Known as The Baron, he was smart, suave, sexy, and a Texan! “The Baron” aired weekly in the U.K. from 1966-1967, and starred American actor Steve Forrest (“S.W.A.T.”, Mommie Dearest) and British actress Sue Lloyd (Revenge of the Pink Panther, The Ipcress File). On March 10, all 30 episodes from the action-packed adventure series arrive on DVD for the first time in a collectible 8-DVD set, complete with new audio introductions and commentaries by Lloyd, director Cyril Frankel, writer Brian Clemons and additional cast and crew. THE BARON: THE COMPLETE SERIES will thrill anglophiles and fans of classic television alike when the collection arrives in-stores from E1 Entertainment for $59.98SRP.

In 2002, William Shatner added the title of “Film Director” to his long and storied resume when the sci-fi thriller GROOM LAKE premiered to U.S. audiences. A labor of love, Shatner – who has grossed over $1 billion at the box office -- developed the story, produced and starred in the film, which also features Amy Acker (“Joss Whedon’s Doll House”, “Angel”), Dan Gauthier (“Melrose Place”), Duane Whitaker (Pulp Fiction, The Devil’s Rejects) and Dick Van Patten (Spaceballs, “Eight is Enough”). On March 17, GROOM LAKE arrives on DVD to the delight of science fiction fans and Trekkies alike. E1 Entertainment’s new release of GROOM LAKE contains a brand new, exclusive interview with Shatner, and updated packaging, and will be available in stores for $19.98SRP.

In 1999, A RATHER ENGLISH MARRIAGE swept the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards, with wins in the Best Drama, Best Editing, Best Original Music and Best Actor categories. The drama aired in the U.S. on PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre, garnering praise from critics who deemed the television production “outstanding,” (New York Times) and the acting by Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay “remarkable,” (Boston Globe). This April, E1 Entertainment brings the bittersweet tale of class, friendship and old age to DVD for the first time. A RATHER ENGLISH MARRIAGE will be available in stores April 7 for $24.98SRP.

Near the end of the tumultuous “Time of Troubles” era, Russia faced its bloodiest conflict. As a volunteer army faced off against the invading Polish-Lithuanian aggressors, the Russian government lay in shambles. 1612, the big-budget patriotic epic commissioned by the Kremlin, tells the story of historical figures Prince Dmitry Pozharsky and Kuzma Minin, who together saved the Russian motherland from eminent ruin. An Official Selection of the Kiev International Film Festival in 2007, 1612 makes its U.S. debut on DVD on April 7 for $26.98 SRP

This past January, due to the bravery and skill of Captain “Sully” Sullenberger, and the proximity of New York’s Hudson River, US Airways Flight 1549 and its 155 passengers survived a potentially deadly disaster. Unfortunately, many mid-air emergencies don’t end as well. From the National Geographic Channel’s gripping, real-life series comes MAYDAY: AIR DISASTERS (originally broadcast as "Mayday: Air Emergency") featuring six unforgettable episodes which provide a compelling, in-depth look at the critical moments before, during and after these catastrophes. The MAYDAY: AIR DISASTERS 2-DVD set lands in-stores April 7 for $24.98SRP…only from E1 Entertainment.

Imagine having the ability to recognize a lie – any lie – as it is being told. The idea sounds appealing, until fully thought through. DAKOTA SKYE explores this concept through a gifted 17 year-old girl, who, unable to trust the people she loves, grows disillusioned with life. Newcomer Eileen Boylan (Sleepover, “South of Nowhere”) charmed audiences with her fresh performance as Dakota Skye as the film earned six awards* during its 2008 film festival run. This summer, DAKOTA SKYE debuts on DVD loaded with special features including an audio commentary, making-of documentary, outtakes and bloopers, and more. DAKOTA SKYE arrives in-stores July 21 for $24.98SRP from E1 Entertainment.

Over the course of six mesmerizing seasons, the BBC’s acclaimed mystery series WIRE IN THE BLOOD has collected fans and rave reviews worldwide, airing throughout Europe and Latin America, to Australia and Southeast Asia. The series is seen on BBC America in the U.S., and recently earned the prestigious New York Festivals International TV Drama Gold World Medal. Based on Val McDermid’s best-selling novels, WIRE IN THE BLOOD stars Robson Green ("Grafters", "Touching Evil") as Dr. Tony Hill, criminal expert and psychologist, and Simone Lahbib ("Monarch of the Glen", "Bad Girls") as Detective Inspector Alex Fielding. On July 21, all four mysteries of the gripping sixth season debut on DVD as WIRE IN THE BLOOD: THE COMPLETE SIXTH SEASON will be available to U.S. audiences as the latest addition to E1 Entertainment’s British DVD Collection.

This summer, E1 Entertainment brings family entertainment home again with two classic stories of love, friendship and perseverance. 1977 Emmy® award winner MARY WHITE stars Ed Flanders (“St. Elsewhere,” Salem’s Lot) as real life journalist William Allen White who reflects on his short time with his 16 year old daughter, played by Kathleen Beller (“Dynasty,” The Godfather-Part II). Based on the children’s novel by Ouida, 1960’s A DOG OF FLANDERS stars David Ladd (Misty, The Wild Geese) and Donald Crisp (Pollyanna, How Green Was My Valley) about an impoverished boy and his grandfather, and the abandoned dog that teaches them hope. MARY WHITE and A DOG OF FLANDERS come to DVD on July 21 for the family-friendly price of $14.98SRP each.

This summer, E1 Entertainment will delight children and parents alike with the release of two new DVD collections of specially-chosen episodes from the award-winning series SHELLEY DUVALL’S FAERIE TALE THEATRE. Each DVD contains four fantastical stories filled with wicked stepsisters, dancing princesses, evil goblins, beautiful mermaids, and no shortage of A-list actors! FAERIE TALE THEATRE: PRINCESS TALES features updated versions of the timeless tales “Cinderella,” “The Little Mermaid,” “The Dancing Princesses” and “The Princess and the Pea.” FAERIE TALE THEATRE: TALES FROM HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN includes captivating narratives from the beloved children’s author, including “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “The Nightingale,” “The Snow Queen” and “Thumbelina.” These magical DVDs arrive July 21, and will each be family-friendly priced for $14.98SRP.

After taking the 2006 international film festival circuit by storm with six wins , and a hop across the pond for a 2008 U.S. theatrical run, the critically-acclaimed British thriller LONDON TO BRIGHTON will at last be released stateside on DVD this summer. Writer/director Paul Andrew Williams took home two prestigious directorial awards for his feature film debut – an exhilarating race against time through Britain’s ruthless underworld. LONDON TO BRIGHTON stars Lorraine Stanley (Eden Lake, Cass) in a role that earned her a London Critics Circle nomination for best actress of the year, as well as Johnny Harris (RocknRolla, Atonement) and Claudie Blakley (Severence, Pride and Prejudice). Available August 11 for $24.98 SRP from E1 Entertainment, the LONDON TO BRIGHTON DVD is a must-own for fans of new, action-packed British drama in the vein of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and RocknRolla.

A broken heart, a camping trip, a battle axe, a bikini-clad demon and a lesbian ex-fiancée… the perfect ingredients for this summer’s newest cult-comedy, new on DVD from E1 Entertainment. DARK RISING’s six Canadian Comedy Awards nominations included a “Best Male Performance” nod to WWE® and TNA® Wrestling star Jason “Christian Cage” Reso for his feature film acting debut. Fans of Army of Darkness, My Name is Bruce and Bubba Ho-tep will revel in adding DARK RISING to their DVD library of camp classics. DARK RISING arrives in-stores August 11 for $19.98 SRP.

This summer, E1 Entertainment casts out a line into the picturesque rivers of Scotland and reels in ALMOST HEAVEN, a new romantic comedy starring Donal Logue (“Grounded for Life,” Max Payne). Logue plays a washed-up television director filming a low-budget fishing show with his temperamental ex-wife. Though looking to revive his career, he instead finds love and redemption – in the most unlikely of places. ALMOST HEAVEN also stars Tom Conti (Reuben, Reuben), Lynda Boyd (She’s the Man), Julie Cox (Children of the Dune) and Joely Collins (daughter of musician Phil Collins). A direct-to-DVD debut, ALMOST HEAVEN arrives in stores August 25 for $24.98 SRP.

The CBS mini-series event MISTRAL’S DAUGHTER was the hot topic around the water cooler in 1984, and now the provocative adaptation of Judith Krantz’s #1 New York Times Best-Seller arrives on DVD for the very first time. The opulent 6-hour production stars Stacy Keach (W., “Prison Break") as the arrogant but brilliant French painter Julien Mistral, and Stefanie Powers (“Hart to Hart”, McLintock) as his beautiful muse. Lee Remick (The Omen, Days of Wine and Roses), Robert Urich (“Spenser for Hire”, “Lonesome Dove”), Timothy Dalton (License to Kill, The Living Daylights) and Joanna Lumley (“Absolutely Fabulous”, A Rather English Marriage) also star in this sweeping story that spans three generations. The MISTRAL’S DAUGHTER 3-DVD set will steam-up store windows on August 25 for $39.98 SRP.