MGM Bonds to homevid
19 pics featuring 007 get DVD, VHS release
As part of its 75th Anniversary, MGM will release special editions of the 19 pics in the 37-year-old franchise on VHS and DVD, beginning Oct. 19.
Studio will release the vids in three waves, starting with "Tomorrow Never Dies," "Goldeneye," "Live and Let Die," "Thunderball," "For Your Eyes Only," "Goldfinger" and "License to Kill."
Only three of the seven titles have previously been available on DVD.
All 19 of the titles, including the latest installment "World is Not Enough," will be released by the end of next year.
The DVD editions feature extras such as documentaries created for the releases, commentaries, featurettes, storyboards, musicvideos and trailers.
The VHS editions will not include the features. DVDs will be priced at $34.98, while VHS editions will be priced at $14.95. Sets of the seven pics will retail for $199 for the DVD and $89 for VHS.
Because MGM has already released two versions of "Tomorrow Never Dies" on DVD, the studio plans to rerelease the latest version with new packaging. Pic marks its first time on VHS as a sell-through title.
Move continues MGM's aggressive stance to constantly repackage and repromote its 6,700-title video library.
There is no word yet on whether "World is Not Enough," which hits hits theaters Nov. 19, will follow the "Tomorrow Never Dies' " release pattern or go straight to sell-through.
As part of the promotion, MGM has also inked tie-ins with Hershey's and First USA Visa to push DVD giveaways and rebates to coincide with the video releases and the theatrical marketing campaign for "World is Not Enough."
