A Fun and Enchanting Instant Classic for the Entire Family!

A Fun and Enchanting Instant Classic for the Entire Family!

'THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX'

MARCH 17, 2009 ON DVD AND BLU-RAY(TM) HI-DEF FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- OVERVIEW: Get ready for an all-new animated classic that families will enjoy together for years to come! In "The Tale of Despereaux," the world's bravest mouse embarks on a noble quest that leads to discovery, courage, honor and ultimately redemption. Journey along with Despereaux as he encounters an unforgettable group of colorful characters and learns about life's important messages in this charming and fun-filled story. Based on the heartwarming children's best selling book and featuring the incredible voice talents of Matthew Broderick, Emma Watson, Dustin Hoffman, Sigourney Weaver, Kevin Kline, William H. Macy, Tracy Ullman, and Stanley Tucci, "The Tale of Despereaux" has something for everyone - excitement, adventure, and a hero for boys, a princess and a love story for girls, fun and entertainment for adults and kids alike! For people of all ages, this is a timeless story about finding one's place in the world.

Consumers will also receive a free Kodak Gallery pocket photo book (a $9.99 value) with the purchase of the DVD (on specially marked packages, while supplies last)!

   BONUS FEATURES:   --  THE TALE OF THE TALE OF DESPEREAUX: A (MOSTLY) NON-FICTIONAL       MAKING-OF:  In this behind-the-scenes featurette we see how a modern       animated film is made from beginning to end - starting with the       story's initial conception and taking us through all the various       animation steps. The piece will showcase all of the amazing talent       behind the creation of this film.   --  TOP TEN USES FOR OVERSIZED EARS:  Our hero and role model for the       child with similar physical anomalies demonstrates with enthusiasm and       creativity the exemplary benefits of having oversized ears, in a top       ten countdown.   --  SNEAK PEEK OF CURIOUS GEORGE 2: FOLLOW THAT MONKEY: Only on the "Tale       of Despereaux" DVD, be the first to see an exclusive sneak peek of the       all-new movie, Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey!     BONUS FEATURES (Exclusive to the DVD):   --  INTERACTIVE MAP OF THE KINGDOM OF DOR:  From this interactive map,       viewers can explore the world of Despereaux, learning more about The       Kingdom of Dor with each click.   --  DESPEREAUX'S QUEST GAME:  From fleeing past a crowd of rats to       hurtling through a gauntlet of mousetraps, this multi-level game       stands as the true test for Despereaux's courage, bravery and honor as       he has to deliver the gold necklace to the King.   --  BUILD-A-BOLDO GAME:  After falling into Chef Andre's delicious soup,       Boldo must be put back together. Viewers can collect the missing parts       and bring him back to life.   --  DVD-ROM:  Card Creator, Fairy Tale Fantasy, Coloring pages,       Wallpapers, Screensavers, Printable Activities are available to the       viewer.     BONUS FEATURES (Exclusive to Blu-ray(TM) Hi-Def):   --  TWO ALL-NEW SONGS:  Listen to 2 never-before-heard songs from the       movie!   --  U-CONTROL: Universal's exclusive signature feature U-Control allows       viewers to delve into the making of the film with the click of the       remote without ever leaving the movie.       --  PICTURE-IN-PICTURE LIVE ACTION: Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at           the making of the film while watching the feature.       --  PICTURE-IN-PICTURE ANIMATIC: Watch the entire feature-length           animatic on screen as it plays simultaneously with the film.   --  SCENE PROGRESSIONS WITH FILMMAKER COMMENTARIES: See how animated       scenes come together - from script to final animation.   --  MAKE YOUR OWN SOUP GAME:  Mix two of four different ingredients, stir       them up into the soup, and watch as The King samples and gives       different reactions to the final concoction.   --  CARD CREATOR:  Upload your own photos and combine the images to create       unique and personal greeting cards with a Despereaux theme.   --  BD-LIVE FEATURES: Beginning on March 31, Universal brings you even       more great content on BD-Live! Access exclusive interactive       applications through your internet-connected player and communicate       with friends and family while watching the film and access the latest       trailers, exclusive content and more!       --  MY SCENES SHARING: Bookmark your favorite scenes then share with           your friends.       --  CARD CREATOR SHARING:  Upload your own photos and combine the           images to create unique and personal greeting cards with a           Despereaux theme can send to their family and friends!     SYNOPSIS:  Once upon a time ...  

In the far away kingdom of Dor ... lived a brave and virtuous mouse with comically oversized ears who dreamt of becoming a Knight. Banished from his home for having such lofty ambitions, Despereaux sets off on an amazing adventure with his good-hearted rat friend, Roscuro, who leads him, at long last, on a very noble quest to rescue an endangered princess and save an entire kingdom from darkness.

   TECHNICAL INFORMATION - DVD:   Street Date:  March 17, 2009   Copyright:  2008 Universal Studios Home Entertainment   Selection Number: 61032294   Price: $29.98 SRP   Running time:  1 Hour 34 Minutes   Layers:  Dual layer   Aspect Ratio:  Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1   Rating:  G   Languages/Subtitles:  English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles   Sound:  Dolby Digital 5.1    TECHNICAL INFORMATION - BLU-RAY(TM):   Selection Number:  61106210   Price:  $39.98 SRP   Running Time: 1 Hour 34 Minutes   Layers:  BD-50   Aspect Ratio:  Widescreen 2.35:1   Languages/Subtitles:  English SDH, Spanish and French subtitles   Sound: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and DTS Surround 5.1    CAST AND FILMMAKERS  

Cast: Matthew Broderick, Robbie Coltrane, Frances Conroy, Tony Hale, Ciaran Hinds, Dustin Hoffman, Richard Jenkins, Kevin Kline, Frank Langella, Christopher Lloyd, William H. Macy, Charles Shaughnessy, Stanley Tucci, Tracey Ulman, Emma Watson, and Sigourney Weaver.

   Directed By:  Sam Fell and Rob Stevenhagen   Produced By:  Gary Ross and Allison Thomas   Based on the Book "The Tale of Despereaux" By:  Kate DiCamillo   Screenplay By:  Gary Ross   Screen Story By:  Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi  

Executive Producers: William Sargent, Ryan Kavanaugh, David Lipman, and Robin Bissell

   Co-Producer:  Tracy Shaw   Production Designer:  Evgeni Tomov   Supervising Art Director:  Olivier Adam   Animation Supervisor:  Gabrielle Zucchelli   Visual Effects Supervisor:  Barry Armour   Director of Photography:  Brad Blackbourn   Edited By:  Mark Soloman   Music By:  William Ross   Casting By:  Debra Zane, CSA    

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). 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 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% owned by Vivendi.

   Contacts: Universal Studios Home Entertainment    Evan Fong   Vice President, Publicity   818.777.5540   Evan.Fong@nbcuni.com     Lea Porteneuve   Vice President, Publicity & Communications   818 777-1391   Lea.Porteneuve@nbcuni.com  

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FCMN Contact:

Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

CONTACT: Evan Fong, Vice President, Publicity, +1-818-777-5540,
Evan.Fong@nbcuni.com, or Lea Porteneuve, Vice President, Publicity &
Communications, +1-818-777-1391, Lea.Porteneuve@nbcuni.com, both for Universal
Studios Home Entertainment

Web Site: http://www.universalstudios.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment