Nach der Einzel-DVD im Snapper-Case aus dem Jahr 2000, der von Lowry Digital Images restaurierten Doppel-DVD aus dem Jahr 2003 und der HD-DVD von 2006 bringt Warner Bros. einen der größten Klassiker des Studios abermals in den Handel: “Casablanca” [USA 1942, Michael Curtiz] mit Ingrid Bergman und Humphrey Bogart wird am 2. Dezember 2008 auf Blu-ray und als neues DVD-Set veröffentlicht. Discs #1 und #2 des 3-DVD-Sets werden dabei identisch zur im Jahr 2003 erschienenen Special Edition ausfallen. Hinzu kommt eine Bonus-DVD mit der Dokumentation “Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul” aus dem Jahr 1993 und eine aufwendige Verpackung der “Ultimate Collector’s Edition” inklusiver einiger Zugaben, die auf diesen Abbildungen zu sehen sind:

 
Das 2-Disc Blu-ray Set beinhaltet ebenfalls das komplette Bonusmaterial, wobei die Dokumentation über Jack L. Warner auf einer eigenen Disc ausgelagert wird. Die Blu-ray wird nur als “Ultimate Collector’s Edition” erhältlich sein, während auf DVD außerdem das bisherige 2-DVD mit neuem Cover erscheinen wird.

 
Der Press-Release:

“Yes, indeed, the Warners here have a picture which makes the spine tingle and the heart take a leap… the result is a highly entertaining and even inspiring film.”
– The New York Times, Bosley Crowther

CASABLANCA
ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION
For the Ultimate Holiday Gift
On Blu-ray™ Hi-Def and DVD
December 2 from Warner Home Video

Burbank, Calif., August 18, 2008 – The legendary Casablanca — which critic Leonard Maltin calls “the best Hollywood movie of all time,” starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman and winner of three Academy Awards including Best Picture — returns in a stunning new Ultimate Collector’s Edition (UCE) on December 2 from Warner Home Video, just in time for the holidays. Casablanca Ultimate Collector’s Edition will also be available in Blu-ray™ Hi-Def for the first time ever.

Casablanca has remained a beloved favorite for almost seven decades, and was voted the screen’s greatest love story and the #3 film of all time by the American Film Institute (AFI). This classic wartime romance also took Oscars for Michael Curtiz (Directing); Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein and Howard Koch (Writing – Screenplay) and the studio (Outstanding Motion Picture).

The luxurious Casablanca Ultimate Collector’s Edition looks like another beginning of a beautiful friendship. The premium giftset is elegantly boxed in an intricate laser-cut Moroccan design and will include such collectibles as replicas of actual props (Victor Laszlo’s “Letter of Transit”) as well as a number of Warner studio documents (an executive’s letter commanding a new PR image for Bogart from gangster to romantic lead; a note from producer Hal Wallis re-titling the film to Casablanca; and a memo from Wallis to Jack Warner strongly urging casting Bogart over George Raft). The DVD set will also contain a branded passport holder, luggage tag, photo book and a mail-in offer for a reproduction of the original movie poster. Additionally, with more than seven hours of bonus features (see below) along with a documentary on Jack Warner, no matter how often one has seen the unforgettable classic, there’s sure to be something to enrich the experience.

Casablanca Ultimate Collector’s Edition will retail on DVD for $59.98 SRP, the Casablanca Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray™ Hi-Def for $64.99 SRP. The previously released Two-Disc Special Edition will also be available with new packaging and will sell for $26.99 SRP.

About the Film
Casablanca: easy to enter, but much harder to leave, especially if you’re wanted by the Nazis. Such a man is Resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), whose only hope is Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a cynical American who sticks his neck out for no one – especially Victor’s wife Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman), the ex-lover who broke his heart. Ilsa offers herself in exchange for Laszlo’s transport out of the country and bitter Rick must decide what counts more – personal happiness or countless lives hanging in the balance.
 
Blu-ray™ Hi-Def Enhanced Content (in standard definition)

Disc 1
Behind the Story
- Introduction by Lauren Bacall
- Commentary by film critic Roger Ebert
- Commentary by film historian/author Rudy Behlmer
- 1988 TCM special: Bacall on Bogart [Laurel Bacall’s candid and moving reminiscences about her husband’s life and career]
- You Must Remember This: A Tribute to Casablanca [Bacall hosts this spellbinding backstage tour]
- As Time Goes By: The Children Remember [Stephen Bogart and Pia Lindstrom remember their parents, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman]
- Production history gallery

Additional Footage
– Deleted scenes
- Outtakes
- Who Holds Tomorrow? Premiere episode from the 1955 Warner Bros. Presents series, starring Charles McGraw
- 1995 WB Cartoon: Carrotblanca

Audio
- Scoring Stage Sessions
- Knock on Wood Alternate Version, Wilson with Piano
- As Time Goes By Part One Alternate Take, Wilson with Piano
- As Time Goes By Part One Film Version, Wilson with Piano
- Rick Sees Ilsa Instrumental Medley
- As Time Goes By Part Two Alternate Take, Wilson with Piano
- As Time Goes By Part Two Film Version, Wilson with Piano
- At La Belle Aurore Instrumental Medley
- Dat’s What Noah Done Outtake, Wilson with Piano
- April 26,1943 Screen Guild Players Radio Broadcast
- Trailers
- Theatrical trailer
- 1992 re-release trailer

Disc 2
- 1993 documentary: Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul
 
CASABLANCA ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION
Catalog # 1000039793
$59.98 SRP

CASABLANCA BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION
$64.99 SRP

Subtitles: English, Français
Run Time: 102 minutes (Feature only)

CASABLANCA TWO-DISC SPECIAL EDITION
$26.99 SRP

Note: All enhanced content listed above is subject to change.