Universal Studios Home Entertainment Announces 'The Motorcycle Diaries'

Universal Studios Home Entertainment Announces 'The Motorcycle Diaries' One of the Year's Most Critically Acclaimed Films, From Director Walter Salles and Executive Producer Robert Redford Riding Into Stores on February 15, 2005 "The best picture of the year!" - Leonard Maltin, "Entertainment Tonight" "One of the great films of this, or any year!" - Jeffrey Lyons, NBC-TV UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Dec. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- "The Motorcycle Diaries" has been hailed as "the best picture of the year" by Leonard Maltin of "Entertainment Tonight." Now, "one of the great films of this, or any year" (Jeffrey Lyons, NBC-TV) comes to DVD, from Universal Studios Home Entertainment, on February 15, 2005. Directed by Walter Salles (Academy Award(R) nominee for "Central Station") and executive-produced by Academy Award(R) winner Robert Redford (Best Director for "Ordinary People"), "The Motorcycle Diaries" stars three of today's hottest young actors: Gael Garcia Bernal ("Y Tu Mama Tambien," "Bad Education"), Independent Spirit Award nominee (Best Debut Performance) Rodrigo de la Serna, and Mia Maestro ("Alias"). Based on the inspiring real-life story of a brave trip across a continent on a motorcycle, the film follows the thrilling and life-changing journey of two young men, Ernesto Guevara de la Serna and Alberto Granado, all across Latin America. Surprising and exciting destinations await the two best friends -- one of whom, Ernesto, later became known to the world as "El Che" Guevara. "The Motorcycle Diaries" DVD is priced at $29.98 SRP and the VHS at $23.98 SRP. Pre-order close date is January 11, 2005 for the DVD and VHS. Raves from Top Critics across the nation "The Motorcycle Diaries" has earned high praise from America's leading film reviewers. The New York Times' Stephen Holden described it as "a classic road movie," while Peter Travers of Rolling Stone enthused, "Magnificent! A wild ride of a movie!" Joel Siegel of "Good Morning America" called the film "simply spectacular!" Andrew Sarris of The New York Observer calls it "the kind of movie that can change us all for the better." Movieline's Hollywood Life called the film "an exuberant celebration!" Listed among critics' Top 10 of the year, "The Motorcycle Diaries" is one of the best-reviewed films, and one of the most highly anticipated DVD releases, of the year. Extend the Journey, With In-Depth Bonus Features The DVD's bonus features include extensive extras that provide insight into the true-life stories of the two young men, the background of the film, the development of the characters, and the production which brought people together from all over the world: * Deleted Scenes * The Making of "The Motorcycle Diaries" -- An in-depth featurette taking audiences through the cast and crew's journey making this extraordinary film. * A Moment with Alberto Granado -- A reminiscence by the real-life motorcycle rider of the adventure he shared 50 years ago with his friend Ernesto. * Feature commentary with director Walter Salles * A Moment With Gael Garcia Bernal -- A conversation with the red-hot star of "Y Tu Mama Tambien," "Amores Perros," "El Crimen Del Padre Amaro," and "Bad Education" * Tomo Uno with Gael Garcia Bernal * Music of the Road -- An interview with Latin Grammy Award(R)-winning composer Gustavo Santaolalla ("Amoros Perros," "21 Grams," "The Insider") SYNOPSIS Let the world change you, and you can change the world. "The Motorcycle Diaries," which world-premiered to a standing ovation at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, follows an inspiring journey of self-discovery and traces the youthful origins of a revolutionary heart. The rich and complex human and social topography of the Latin American continent is unveiled in all its glory as two friends experience life at its fullest. The film, directed by Walter Salles ("Central Station," "Behind the Sun"), is adapted by Jose Rivera from the journals of two real-life young Argentines, Alberto Granado and Ernesto Guevara de la Serna -- the latter of whom would become "El Che." In January 1952, Ernesto (played by Gael Garcia Bernal) is a 23-year-old medical student specializing in leprology. Alberto (Rodrigo de la Serna), age 29, is a biochemist. The two men bid goodbye to their families and to Ernesto's girlfriend Chichina Ferreyra (Mia Maestro). Flush with a romantic sense of adventure, they pile onto Alberto's 1939 Norton 500 motorcycle (nicknamed "La Poderosa" ["The Mighty One"]). The aging bike carries them farther and farther away from familiar and comfortable Buenos Aires surroundings, to surprising and exciting destinations. The two friends become as close as brothers. Over the course of eight months and 8,000 miles, what starts out as a lark becomes a profound journey of discovery, not only of themselves but of a continent filled with infinite sorrow -- and infinite hope. From homeless miners to riverboat prostitutes, from lepers to prosperous gentry, Ernesto and Alberto discover an affinity for humanity within themselves, and a determination to change the world. FILMMAKERS & CAST Director: Walter Salles Screenwriter: Jose Rivera Based on the Books by: Ernesto Che Guevara and Alberto Granado Producers: Michael Nozik, Edgard Tenenbaum, Karen Tenkhoff Executive Producers: Robert Redford, Paul Webster, Rebecca Yeldham Director of Photography: Eric Gautier, A.F.C. Editor: Daniel Rezende Composer: Gustavo Santaolalla Production Designer: Carlos Conti Costume Designers: Beatriz Di Benedetto, Marisa Urruti Cast: Gael Garcia Bernal, Rodrigo de la Serna, Mia Maestro TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD Street Date: February 15, 2005 Pre-Order Date: January 11, 2005 Copyright: 2004 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Price: $29.98SRP Selection Numbers: 25942 (Widescreen); 25943 (Full Frame) Running Time: 2 hours and 7 minutes Layers: Dual Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen; 1.33:1 Full Frame Rating: R (for language) Technical Info: Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1; French Dolby Digital 5.1/Subtitles; English Subtitles. VHS Street Date: February 15, 2005 Pre-Order Date: January 11, 2005 Copyright: 2004 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. Price: $23.98SRP Selection Numbers: 62897 Running Time 2 hours and 7 minutes Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Full Frame Rating: R (for language) Technical Info: Spanish Hi-Fi Stereo Surround; English Subtitles. For more information log on to www.motorcyclediariesmovie.com. Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios. Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates the No. 1 television network, the fastest-growing Spanish-language network, a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal. CONTACTS Universal Studios Home Entertainment Evan Fong Executive Director, Publicity (818) 777-5540 Craig Radow Manager, Print Publicity (818) 777-4572 Heather David Manager, Broadcast Publicity (818) 777-0549 Vivian Mayer Sr. Vice President, Publicity (818) 777-3594 Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment CONTACT: Evan Fong, Executive Director, Publicity, +1-818-777-5540, or Craig Radow, Manager, Print Publicity, +1-818-777-4572, or Heather David, Manager, Broadcast Publicity, +1-818-777-0549, or Vivian Mayer, Sr. Vice President, Publicity, +1-818-777-3594, all of Universal Studios Home Entertainment Web site: http://www.motorcyclediariesmovie.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment