The #1 DVD of the holiday season and the #1 movie of the year, Walt Disney Pictures' PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST, is now firmly in place to become the #1 live-action DVD of all time and the #1 DVD of the year, selling 10.5 million units on DVD in North America in its first week of release, the highest initial week for any title this year, it was announced by Bob Chapek, president of Buena Vista Worldwide Home Ent. (BVWHE).
Chapek commented, "With the incredible success of the release of PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST, it is evident that the home entertainment industry continues to flourish. It also further illustrates the worldwide phenomenon of everything PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN."
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST, featuring cutting edge vfx from Industrial Light & Magic, has become an international DVD phenomenon, sailing into the top spots in the U.K. and Japan. In the U.K. market, nearly 1.5 million copies were sold in its first week of release, the nation's largest week one ever. Japan had similar results, also selling nearly 1 million units in the first week of release becoming the #1 live-action title of all time in that market.
The film's theatrical opening weekend was the biggest in U.S. box-office history, and the high-seas Hollywood tidal wave continues with a worldwide box office gross of more than $1 billion to date, making it Disney's most successful movie of all time.
PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST was released as both a deluxe two-disc Special Edition DVD set and as a single-disc DVD. The single-disc DVD features screenwriter audio commentary and the never-before-seen "Bloopers of the Caribbean." The Special Edition features limited availability holographic packaging and includes all single-disc features, plus a treasure-chest of bonus booty: a behind-the-scenes documentary; a Captain Jack featurette; a sword-fighting featurette; "Creating The Kraken" on the film's stunning sea beast; "Fly On The Set" - an on location view of filming; a featurette on the legend of Davy Jones; bonus program on the newly "re-Imagineered" Pirates of the Caribbean resort attraction; star-studded, red-carpet Hollywood premiere footage; producer Jerry Bruckheimer's personal on-set photo diary and more. Much of the bonus material is exclusive to this DVD release.
Buena Vista Worldwide Home Ent., a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista DVD, Blu-ray Disc and electronic distribution product. Buena Vista Worldwide Home Ent. is a division of Disney Enterprises Inc.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
