Howl and Totoro Get a UK DVD Release This March

Date: 2006 February 21 15:06

Posted by Joe

March marks an important month for UK Ghibli fans. Howl's Moving Castle, Hayao Miyazaki's latest film gets a very swift UK DVD release, we're really impressed at how quickly it took for Optimum to bring this title to market, especially since it was only released on DVD in Japan in November 2005, previously there has been a great gap between Ghibli DVD releases outside of Japan. Optimum will be releasing a two disc set packed with extras.

Many more anime fans will be excited to hear that My Neighbour Totoro finally gets an official UK DVD release, after many years of waiting. The film was a great success in Japan and as a result became Studio Ghibli's mascot and was incorporated into their logo. It's an excellent film and one of my all time favourite anime titles. It's a charming feature of children and adult alike, one of those real rare gems of a movie and a must have for any anime fan.

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Press release as follows:

OPTIMUM ASIA PRESENTS

Hayao Miyazaki's
HOWL’S MOVING CASTLE
Special 2 Disc Edition DVD
Available to Rent and Buy 13th March, 2006


Prepare to be dazzled. One of the finest animated films in years. ****
TOTAL FILM

Brilliant. Miyazaki makes the most moving and inspiring animated films in the world. ****
ESQUIRE


Following on from the record-breaking and Oscar-winning success of SPIRITED AWAY, legendary director Hayao Miyazaki’s latest animated masterpiece, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE is soon available to rent and buy on DVD. Featuring the voices of Emily Mortimer, Blythe Danner, Christian Bale, Jean Simmons and Billy Crystal, HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE is set in a magical world of wizard and spells and follows the adventures of Sophie, a young girl trapped in an old-woman's body by an evil sorceror's spell. Based on the popular book by British author Diana Wynne Jones, the UK theatrical release of HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE was phenomenally successful and was one of the biggest ever openings ever for a film in Japan.


2 Disc Special Features:


Interview with author, Diana Wynne Jones
Interview with Pixar's Peter Docter (MONSTERS INC.)
Hello Lasseter (Pixar) featurette
Explanation of CG featurette
Japanese trailers and TV spots
Textless Opening Credits
Alternative angle storyboards
Theatrical Trailer
Studio Ghibli Trailer Reel
English language and Japanese with English subtitles


Certificate: U
Running Time: 119 mins approx
Aspect ratio: 16:9 anamorphic
Audio: 2.0 Stereo and Dolby Digital 5.1
RRP: £19.99
Catalogue No:OPTD0181




OPTIMUM ASIA PRESENTS

Hayao Miyazaki’s
MY NEIGHBOUR TOTORO
Out on DVD 27 March

"...one of the loveliest children's films ever made..."
THE NEW YORKER


"One of the most beloved of all family films."
ROGER EBERT


My Neighour Totoro is a charming tale about Saksuki and her little sister Mei who move to a new home in the country to be near their ailing mother. Far from the bustle of the city, they discover a mysterious place of spirits and magic, and the friendship of the big fluffy Totoro woodland creatures.

Conceived as a family film suffused with the joy of country living, My Neighbour Totoro unites the unique vision of Hayao Miyazaki with an elegy to two ever-fading miracles: the fairytale world of childhood and the disappearing countryside.

DVD Features:
Complete Storyboards
Original Japanese Trailer
Opening And Closing Animation (Without Credits)
Studio Ghibli Trailer Reel

Details:
Cert: PG
Running time: 87 minutes approx.
Catalogue No.: OPTD0290
RRP: £19.99
Audio: English 2.0 and Japanese 2.0