Posted Thu Aug 29, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT by Tom Landy
The Academy Award winner for Best Picture will be getting an ultimate extended Blu-ray box set in December!
As previously reported, Warner Brothers is working on 'Argo: The Declassified Extended Edition' for Blu-ray, and now the release date has been set for December 3.
Based on real events, 'Argo' chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis, focusing on the little-known role that the CIA and Hollywood played—information that was not declassified until many years after the event. On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of Canadian Ambassador Ken Taylor. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, the Canadian and American governments ask the CIA to intervene. The CIA turns to their top "exfiltration" specialist, Tony Mendez (Affleck), to come up with a plan to Get the six Americans safely out of the country. A plan so incredible, it could only happen in the movies.
Jeff Baker, WBHE's Executive Vice President and General Manager, Theatrical Catalog, commented, "We are very pleased to be collaborating with Ben and his team for a second time. This new edition of 'Argo' is even more enriched by the never-before-seen bonus footage and fascinating collectible memorabilia."
'Argo' was one of the most honored and best reviewed movies of 2012. In addition to the Oscar presented to producers Affleck, Grant Heslov and George Clooney for Best Picture, 'Argo' won the Golden Globe, BAFTA and Critics' Choice Awards for Best Picture. The film earned two additional Oscars -- for Best Achievement in Film Editing and for Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay -- and was nominated for an additional four (Best Supporting Actor for Alan Arkin, Best Original Score, Best Achievement in Sound Editing, and Best Achievement in Sound Mixing).
The Blu-ray/Ultraviolet combo pack will feature both the theatrical (120 minutes) and extended (129 minutes) cuts of the film in 1080p, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtracks, and supplements include: Picture in Picture: Eyewitness Account: Relive the takeover of the US Embassy in November of 1979 and the daring rescue mission in January of 1980 through the eyes of those that lived it; Feature length audio commentary with director Ben Affleck and writer Chris Terrio; Rescued from Tehran: We Were There - President Jimmy Carter, Tony Mendez and the actual houseguests recount the real-life harrowing experience they endured; Argo: Absolute Authenticity - From characters to heart-stopping action, Ben Affleck's eye and ear for hard-hitting realism and attention to exacting detail has become his signature as an A-list filmmaker; Argo: The CIA & Hollywood Connection - Director Ben Affleck and former CIA agent Tony Mendez give a firsthand view of the actual documents and cover story used to create the phony movie Argo that had all of Hollywood believing in; Escape from Iran: The Hollywood Option - Escape from Iran commemorates the 25th anniversary of the "Canadian Caper," taking us back to this startling affair through the direct testimony of the Americans who found sanctuary at the Canadian embassy in Tehran, and the Canadians who risked their own safety to shelter their closest neighbors; and Argo Files.
Brand new supplements include: Argo Declassified: Tony Mendez's daring operation gets honored as part of the CIA's 50th anniversary; Ben Affleck's Balancing Act: Balancing humor, politics, Hollywood and international intrigue as only Affleck and his team could do; and Argo F*ck Yourself: Ben Affleck leads an all-star review of Argo's classic line.
The set will also include: 64-Page In-Depth Book with Behind-the-Scenes Argo Photographs; Argo: A Cosmic Conflagration Movie Poster Reproduction (14" x 20"); Map of "Argo" Movie Locations (14" x 20"); and ID Card Prop Replica.
Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is set at $49.99.
You can find the latest specs for 'Argo: The Declassified Extended Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 3.
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