LONDON -- Universal Pictures Intl. has confirmed that 2001 was the best year ever in international video distribution for both Universal Pictures and DreamWorks.
"Shrek," from DreamWorks, is the No. 1 videotape of the year in all the territories where it has been released, including the U.K., Spain, Germany, Australia and Mexico. Pic is also the fastest-selling DVD of all time.
U's success has been driven by a wide range of hits, from "Gladiator" early in 2001 through "The Grinch," "The Mummy Returns," "Hannibal" and "Bridget Jones's Diary" at the end of the year.
"Gladiator" shipped 8 million units internationally and became UPI's biggest rental title ever in the U.K., Italy, Germany and Scandinavia.
"The Grinch" and "The Mummy Returns" were Christmas bestsellers, while "Bridget Jones's Diary" shipped 3 million units in the U.K. alone on videotape and DVD.
The combined strength of the U and DreamWorks product has established UPI as the year's top vid distrib in several territories, including the U.K., Germany, France, Spain, Scandinavia and Benelux.
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