"Pirates" Sets First Week Live Action Sales Record

[Luke]

This comes from Disney, so as with any studio announcement on sales numbers, one has to speculate a little, but...

WALT DISNEY PICTURES' PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL FIRST WEEK LIVE-ACTION HOME ENTERTAINMENT RECORD

11 Million Units Sold in First Week of Release

BURBANK, CA/December 8, 2003 ' PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL, one of this year's top grossing films, has gone on to sell 11 million DVD and VHS units in its first week of sales becoming the largest opening week live-action home entertainment title in history.

"We couldn't be more thrilled with the success our home entertainment titles have had this year," said BVHE president Bob Chapek. "This has been a phenomenal year for the Studio and a testament to our strength of turning these great movies into huge home entertainment successes."

From producer Jerry Bruckheimer comes the thrilling action-adventure PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL, starring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley and Jonathan Pryce. Screen story by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio and Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert. Screenplay by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio. Directed by Gore Verbinski. The biggest live-action theatrical blockbuster of the year, this action-packed tale is currently available in a 2-disc DVD set and VHS from Walt Disney Home Entertainment.

On 2-disc Disney DVD, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: THE CURSE OF THE BLACK PEARL features nineteen deleted scenes, audio commentary with Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley and the filmmakers, behind the scenes and on the set features, cast and crew video diaries and much more. 2-disc DVD: $29.99 (SRP); VHS: $24.99 (SRP).

Chapek added, "This title along with Finding Nemo, The Lion King, Chicago, Sweet Home Alabama and Signs have allowed BVHE to enjoy a wonderful year." He continued, "With Freaky Friday in stores next week I am excited at the potential for this to be the biggest 4th Quarter in industry history."

About Buena Vista Home Entertainment Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., a recognized leader in the home entertainment industry, is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney, Touchstone, Hollywood Pictures, Miramax and Buena Vista videocassette and DVD product. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company. # # # ==================

[indianajdp]

Wow.

I'm not sure what's more amazing:
That it sold 11 million combined units, or the fact that there are still that many folks out there buying VHS when you can get a DVD player as cheap as $30.

[Jack]

Excccccccellent. Didn't expect it to surpass Spider-Man.

[Satoshi]

Wow, that's amazing that it beat out Spider-Man. I think the release date had alot to do with it though. Spider-Man came out in early November, when not too many people were thinking about Christmas shopping yet. While Pirates came out just at the right time for Christmas shoppers. This leads me to believe that in the long run Pirates won't sell as many copies as Spider-Man, but who knows.

[Maerj]

This is great for Pirates and I am not surprised in the least about it selling moer than Spider Man. Firstly, there are even more homes with DVD players than when the webslinger came out...and....it's a better movie IMHO! Arrrrrr, matey!

[Brink!]

This is cool news
i just got in pirates today
so have only been trough bits and pieces of the extras realy (the blooper reel, moonlight seranade ,the disneylandsegment about the ride ,
and the first 10 mins of depp's and verbinski's commentary track

I also got in finding nemo and Eloise at the plaza in this week (and that is only disney hehe)
what can i say i was in a dvd mood this month
(bought close to 30 titles within 3 weeks )
including
the two towers gift set
and the aliens quadrilogy

so much to watch and so little time to do it in
i want a holiday

greetings Brink!