| BLU-RAY NEWS TAGGED "PBS" | Receive Blu-ray News via RSS |  |
'The Central Park Five' Blu-ray Dated
Wed Feb 27, 2013 at 09:00 AM ETTags: PBS, Disc Announcements (all tags)
The latest documentary from acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns comes to Blu-ray in April.
In an early announcement to retailers, PBS has just revealed 'The Central Park Five' will arrive on Blu-ray on April 23.
On April 20, 1989, the body of a woman barely clinging to life was discovered in Central Park. Within days, Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise confessed to her rape and beating after many hours of aggressive interrogation at the hands of seasoned homicide detectives. The police announced to a press hungry for sensational crime stories that the young men had been part of a gang of teenagers who were out “wilding,” assaulting joggers and bicyclists in Central Park that evening. The ensuing media frenzy was met with a public outcry for justice. The young men were tried as adults and convicted of rape, despite inconsistent and inaccurate confessions, DNA evidence that excluded them, and no eyewitness accounts that connected any of them to the victim. The five served their complete sentences, between 6 and 13 years, before another man, serial rapist Matias Reyes, admitted to the crime, and DNA testing supported his confession.
Set against the backdrop of a city beset by violence and facing deepening rifts between races and classes, “THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE” intertwines the stories of these five young men, the victim, police officers and prosecutors, and Matias Reyes, unraveling the forces behind the wrongful convictions. The film illuminates how law enforcement, social institutions and media undermined the very rights of the individuals they were designed to safeguard and protect.
“This is a radical departure for me as a filmmaker,” said Ken Burns. “Eschewing narration, bringing in many new stylistic elements – I think the intensity of the circumstances, and the political and tragic implications absolutely demanded that we implement an intensified discussion. What I think adds to our story is the humanity of the five young men who are at its center, especially because no one was willing to do that during the original media coverage and trial.”
“This case is a lens through which we can understand the ongoing fault-line of race in America,” said Sarah Burns, who also wrote The Central Park Five: A Chronicle of a City Wilding, (Knopf, 2011). “These young men were convicted long before the trial, by a city blinded by fear and, equally, freighted by race. They were convicted because it was all too easy for people to see them as violent criminals simply because of the color of their skin.”
“Ultimately THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE is about human dignity,” said David McMahon. “It is about five young men who lose their youth but maintain their dignity in the face of an horrific and unimaginable situation.”
In 2002, based upon Matias Reyes’s confession, a judge vacated the original convictions of the Central Park Five. A year later, the men filed civil lawsuits against the City of New York, and the police officers and prosecutors who had worked toward their conviction. That lawsuit remains unresolved.
Among those interviewed in the film are: The Central Park Five and members of their families; New York City Mayors Ed Koch and David Dinkins; journalists Jim Dwyer, Natalie Byfield and LynNell Hancock; the Reverend Calvin Butts; and historian Craig Steven Wilder.
Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99.
You can find the latest specs for 'The Central Park Five' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 23.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- The Central Park Five (Blu-ray)
'Masterpiece: Mr. Selfridge' Announced for Blu-ray
Tue Feb 19, 2013 at 09:00 AM ETTags: PBS, Disc Announcements (all tags)
The PBS drama starring Jeremy Piven comes to Blu-ray in April.
In an early announcement to retailers, PBS is readying 'Masterpiece: Mr. Selfridge' for Blu-ray on April 23. Airs on PBS Sundays, March 31st through May 19th (Check Local Listings).
Emmy® Award-winning actor Jeremy Piven (“Entourage”) stars as American entrepreneur and colorful retail magnate Harry Gordon Selfridge.
Pioneering and reckless, with an almost manic energy, Harry Selfridge created a theater of retail for early 1900s Londoners where any topic or trend that was new, exciting, entertaining – or sometimes just eccentric – was showcased. Based on the book “Shopping, Seduction and Mr. Selfridge” by author Lindy Woodhead.
The eight-part miniseries also stars Frances O’Connor (“Madame Bovary”), Aisling Loftus (“Page Eight”), Zoe Tapper (“Zen”), Amanda Abbington (“Case Histories”), and Samuel West (“Any Human Heart”).
Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the suggested list price for the 3-Disc Blu-ray set is $54.99.
You can find the latest specs for 'Masterpiece: Mr. Selfridge' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 23.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Masterpiece: Mr. Selfridge (Blu-ray)
'Downton Abbey: Season 3 (Original UK Unedited Version)' Blu-ray Dated
Mon Sep 17, 2012 at 03:00 PM ETTags: PBS, Disc Announcements (all tags)
The third season of the PBS drama will hit Blu-ray in January of next year.
In an early announcement to retailers, PBS has slated 'Downton Abbey: Season 3 (Original UK Unedited Version)' for Blu-ray on January 29.
The Golden Globe and multiple Emmy Award winning series created by Julian Fellowes focuses on the Crawley family and their servants during the years leading up to World War I.
Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $54.99.
You can find the latest specs for 'Downton Abbey: Season 3 (Original UK Unedited Version)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 29.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Downton Abbey: Season 3 (Original UK Unedited Edition) (Blu-ray)
'Ken Burns' The Dust Bowl' Announced for Blu-ray
Tue Aug 14, 2012 at 03:00 PM ETTags: PBS, Disc Announcements (all tags)
The acclaimed filmmaker's documentary blows in on Blu-ray this November.
In an early announcement to retailers, PBS has dated 'Ken Burns' The Dust Bowl' for Blu-ray on November 20.
The Dust Bowl chronicles the worst man-made ecological disaster in American history when a frenzied wheat boom on the southern Plains followed by a decade-long drought during the 1930s nearly swept away the breadbasket of the nation. Menacing black blizzards killed farmers' crops and livestock, threatened the lives of their children and forced thousands of desperate families to pick up and move somewhere else.
Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99.
You can find the latest specs for 'Ken Burns' The Dust Bowl' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 20.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Ken Burns' The Dust Bowl (Blu-ray)
'The War' Announced for Blu-ray
Fri Feb 24, 2012 at 01:45 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, PBS, Paramount (all tags)
The critically acclaimed World War II documentary miniseries will enlist to Blu-ray in May.
In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount is readying 'The War' for Blu-ray on May 15.
Six years in the making, the epic, seven-part film directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick explores the history and horror of the Second World War from an American perspective through the personal accounts of men and women from four quintessentially American towns. Revealing the most intimate human dimensions of a worldwide catastrophe, the 15-hour documentary paints a vivid portrait of how the war touched the lives of every family on every street in every town in America.
'The War' is narrated by Emmy Award®-winner Keith David and includes voiceovers from acclaimed performers such as Tom Hanks, Samuel L. Jackson, Josh Lucas, Adam Arkin and Eli Wallach and features recordings by Norah Jones and Wynton Marsalis, as well as war-era favorites from Benny Goodman, Nat ‘King’ Cole and more. Presented in pristine high-definition, the Blu-ray also boasts nearly two hours of special features including filmmaker commentary, deleted scenes, additional interviews and a making of featurette.
The release is timed with repeat airings on PBS May 20th and May 27th.
Suggested list price for the 6-disc Blu-ray set is $129.99.
You can find the latest specs for 'The War' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under May 15.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- The War (Blu-ray)
'Downton Abbey: Season Two' Announced for Blu-ray
Tue Jan 03, 2012 at 01:00 PM ETTags: Disc Announcements, PBS (all tags)
The second season of the six-time Emmy winning drama is bound for Blu-ray in February.
In an early announcement to retailers, PBS is readying 'Downton Abbey: Season Two' for Blu-ray on February 7.
Last season opened with the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, which had dire consequences for Downton Abbey. The new season picks up in the middle of another disaster, World War I, which affected every aspect of life in England, accelerating the social change that was already transforming an age-old system of class and privilege. As the Great War rages across Europe, discord is sown even into the serene Yorkshire countryside. Simmering tensions behind the gates of Downton Abbey are beginning to come to a boil as the men and women of Downton do their part on both the front lines and the home front. What's more, the brutality and intensity of war seem to inflame more familiar passions - love, loss, blackmail, and betrayal - leaving family and staff alike to struggle in an ever-changing world, against a host of new demons.
The 3-disc set will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 soundtrack, and supplements have yet to be revealed.
Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $49.99.
You can find the latest specs for 'Downton Abbey: Season Two' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 7.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Downton Abbey: Season Two (Blu-ray)
'These Amazing Shadows: The Movies That Make America' Announced for Blu-ray
Tue Oct 04, 2011 at 11:00 AM ETTags: PBS, Disc Announcements (all tags)
The 2011 official Sundance Film Festival selection directed by Paul Mariano and Kurt Norton is coming to Blu-ray in November.
In an early announcement to retailers, PBS is readying 'These Amazing Shadows: The Movies That Make America' for Blu-ray on November 22.
The documentary tells the history and importance of The National Film Registry, a roll call of American cinema treasures that reflects the diversity of film, and indeed the American experience itself.
Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99.
You can find the latest specs for 'These Amazing Shadows: The Movies That Make America' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under November 22.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- These Amazing Shadows: The Movies That Make America (Blu-ray)
'Prohibition' Announced for Blu-ray
Mon Jun 27, 2011 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, PBS (all tags)
Documentary filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick will return to Blu-ray to tackle the 18th amendment of the U.S. Constitution this October.
In an early announcement to retailers, PBS is readying 'Prohibition' for Blu-ray on October 4.
The three-part miniseries chronicles the history of alcohol in America and has a total runtime of approximately 6 hours.
Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the release appears to be a 3-disc set with over two hours of bonus content.
Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $44.99.
You can find the latest specs for 'Prohibition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under October 4.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Prohibition (Blu-ray)
'Echo - An Elephant to Remember' & 'A Murder of Crows' Announced for Blu-ray
Tue Sep 28, 2010 at 02:30 PM ETTags: PBS, Disc Announcements (all tags)
PBS slates up two nature documentaries for high-definition release this winter.
In an early announcement to retailers, PBS says 'Nature: Echo - An Elephant to Remember' will hit Blu-ray on December 7, while 'Nature: A Murder of Crows' will be available on January 11.
There's no word on tech specs or extras as of yet, but suggested list price for 'Echo' is $24.99. 'A Murder of Crows' is $19.99.
You can find the latest specs for 'Nature: Echo - An Elephant to Remember' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under December 7 and 'Nature: A Murder of Crows' indexed under January 11.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Nature: A Murder of Crows (Blu-ray)
- Nature: Echo - An Elephant to Remember (Blu-ray)
'Becoming Human' Announced for Blu-ray
Tue Dec 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM ETTags: Disc Announcements, PBS (all tags)
NOVA's groundbreaking exploration of human history and evolution will be given the high-definition treatment in February.
PBS will bring the documentary series 'Becoming Human' to Blu-ray on February 9.
There's no word on tech specs or extras as of yet, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.99.
You can find the latest specs for 'Becoming Human' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 9.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
- Becoming Human (Blu-ray)
» High-Def Digest home page
