CULVER CITY, CALIF. (March 8, 2010) – Academy Award®-nominated writer/director Terry Gilliam (Best Original Screenplay, Brazil, 1985) embarks on a fantastical journey of magic and illusion when The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus debuts on Blu-ray™ and DVD April 27 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Starring Academy Award® winner Heath Ledger (Best Supporting Actor, The Dark Knight, 2008) and Academy Award® nominees Christopher Plummer (Best Actor, The Last Station, 2009) and Tom Waits (Best Score, One From the Heart, 1982), the visually-stunning, critically-acclaimed, modern-day fantasy adventure follows Doctor Parnassus (Plummer), along with his traveling theater troupe, as he uses his extraordinary gift of inspiration to offer audience members the opportunity to transcend mundane reality into a universe of limitless imagination. The film also features Academy Award® nominee Johnny Depp (Best Actor, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, 2007), Golden Globe® winner Colin Farrell (In Bruges), and Academy Award® nominee Jude Law (Best Actor, Cold Mountain, 2003), with up-and-comers Lily Cole (St. Trinian’s) and Andrew Garfield (Lions for Lambs).
Blu-ray™ and DVD special features include commentary by Director Terry Gilliam, a deleted scene and Heath Ledger’s wardrobe test with optional commentary and multiple behind-the-scenes featurettes. The Blu-ray Disc™ is packed with exclusive features that will bring viewers inside The Imaginarium. Included is “Heath Ledger and Friends,†where cast and crew speak about working with the incredibly talented actor and continuing with filming after he had passed away; a look into the visual mind of the Director in “The Imaginarium of Terry Gilliam;†and “The Drunk’ Multi-Angle Progression Sequence,†which offers a glimpse into what it took to create this fantastical world.
The Blu-ray Discâ„¢ also features movieIQâ„¢+sync a new and immersive BD-Live movie watching experience that uses a connected, real-time movie database. Â With a movieIQ enabled Blu-ray Disc and an internet connected Blu-ray player, movie fans can dive into continuously updated information on cast & crew while exploring relevant trivia such as production facts, music and soundtrack information, all tied to scenes within the movie. Additionally, movieIQ+sync giving viewer the full movieIQ experience on their computer or iPhone by linking to the Blu-ray disc.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was nominated for two Academy Awards® (Best Achievement in Art Direction, Best Achievement in Costume Design) and will be available on Blu-ray for $34.95 SRP and DVD for $28.95 SRP.
SYNOPSIS:
Enter a dazzling world of fantasy in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, Director Terry Gilliam’s magical adventure tale starring Heath Ledger in his last film role along with Christopher Plummer, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law. In exchange for extraordinary powers, Doctor Parnassus (Plummer) makes a deal with the Devil to turn over any child of his when they turn sixteen. But as his daughter Valentina’s (Lily Cole) birthday approaches, a mysterious stranger (Ledger) arrives with the power to change everything. In this captivating, explosive and wonderfully imaginative race against time, Doctor Parnassus must fight to save his daughter in a never-ending landscape of surreal obstacles – and undo the mistakes of his past once and for all!
Directed by Terry Gilliam (Monty Python, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Twelve Monkeys), The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was written by Terry Gilliam and Charles McKeown. The film was produced by William Vince, Amy Gilliam, Samuel Hadida and Terry Gilliam, with Dave Valleau and Victor Hadida serving as executive producers.
DVD Special Features Include:
Go deep into Terry Gilliam’s imaginative world! Get a behind-the-scenes look at the visual effects and see Heath Ledger’s interview and wardrobe test.
·        Deleted Scene with Optional Commentary
·        Heath Ledger Wardrobe Test with Optional Commentary by Terry Gilliam
·        Introduction & Commentary by Director Terry Gilliam
·        Interview with Heath Ledger
·        Behind the Mirror
·        Building the Monastery
·        The Artwork of Doctor Parnassus
·        Doctor Parnassus Around the World
·        Cast & Crew Presentation on Stage
Blu-ray Exclusives:
·        The Imaginarium of Terry Gilliam
·        Heath Ledger and Friends–Cast & Crew remember their friend
·        “The Drunk” Multi-Angle Progression Sequence
·        movieIQ™+sync and BD-Live connect you to real-time information on the cast, music, trivia and more while watching the movie. Once connected, movieIQ+sync will display all of the great information movieIQ offers on a computer screen or iPhone instead of onscreen, all while staying synchronized to the movie!
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus has a running time of approximately 122 minutes and is rated PG-13 for violent images, some sensuality, language and smoking.