Big-Time Warner Classics To Debut On HD DVD
By Shane C. Buettner October 19, 2006 — The big releases on next-gen HD media keep pouring in just in time for the holiday season and again, Warner is leading the charge by releasing one of the real treasures in its catalog, Casablanca, on HD DVD. The Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman classic joins the somewhere between camp classic and minor classic sci-fi flick Forbidden Planet starring none other than Robbie the Robot, and 1962's Mutiny on the Bounty starring Marlon Brando on HD DVD.

Casablanca's transfer is certain to be from the same master used for downconversion for the 2003 two-disc special edition DVD, which was performed by the wizards at Lowry Digital. This team has done other remarkable high profile restorations such as Citizen Kane, Singing in the Rain, the Indiana Jones trilogy and the original Star Wars trilogy. That doesn't suck for the old resume, and that's just a fraction of the major titles this team has been responsible for digitally restoring.

Both Casablanca and Mutiny are spec'd as having all the same supplementary material as the standard DVD editions, both of which are loaded two-disc sets. So, start resting your remote hand now.

Forbidden Planet is being released on a 50th anniversary HD DVD as well as a $60 Ultimate Collector's Edition in a metal case that includes the HD DVD, a Robbie the Robot replica with movable limbs (danger, Will Robinson?), reproductions of the original lobby cards, and a mail-in offer for the original theatrical poster. And you won't believe how debonair Leslie Nielsen was before he became a comedy icon.

In addition, ATL, The Last Samurai, and Million Dollar Baby will hit Blu-ray on the same day. Although Warner continues to support both formats, the splashiest catalog releases seem to hit HD DVD first.