Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers have become a single entity in my mind. I have a hard time recalling what events, what story-points are covered in which film/show. Both the film and the series have the same creative teams at their core and feel very similar, from the way they were shot to the music behind them. That being said, I’m a big fan of both. And very excited to tell you about Paramount‘s upcoming Sapphire Series release of Saving Private Ryan, timed to be released just days before V-E day.

The timing of the release is also advantageous in that it can ride the wave of hype surrounding HBO‘s upcoming Band of Brothers “sequel”, The Pacific (premiering March 14th).

Kathryn Bigelow‘s (The Hurt Locker) K-19: The Widowmaker and John Carpenter‘s Escape From L.A. will also make their Blu-ray debut on the same day. I’ve got to say, I’m a bit sad that we’re getting the Snake Plissken sequel on Blu before a domestic release of Carpenter’s far superior Escape From New York. I’m not going to hold my breath for EFNY though, what with the rights being owned by MGM and that studio being currently mired in financial trouble. If I’m feeling desperate, I can always import Optimum‘s Blu-ray release of the film from the UK, which I understand is a mild upgrade from the DVD.

UPDATE: Saving Private Ryan details added!

SAVING PRIVATE RYAN: SAPPHIRE SERIES EDITION

Special Features:

• An Introduction—Director Steven Spielberg discusses his interest in WWII and how it led him to make the film.
• Looking Into the Past—Steven Spielberg explains the research done for the film, the evolution of the screenplay and his intentions.
• Miller and his Platoon—Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks and other cast members introduce the different characters and how the actors worked together.
• Boot Camp—Memories from the cast about the intense boot camp they went through with Captain Dale Dye.
• Making Saving Private Ryan—Steven Spielberg and his collaborators discuss the look of the film, the production design, the costumes and the photography.
• Re-creating Omaha Beach—A look at how the filmmakers re-created this historical event.
• Music and Sound—Discussion with the team that edited, scored and brought sound to the film.
• Parting Thoughts—Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks share their final thoughts on the experience of making the film.
• Into the Breach: Saving Private Ryan—A 25-minute documentary with the cast and crew.
• Shooting War—Tom Hanks hosts and narrates this documentary on WWII combat photographers in Europe and the Pacific theater of war.
• Theatrical Trailer (HD)
• Re-Release Trailer (HD)

K-19: THE WIDOWMAKER

Special Features:

• Theatrical trailer (in HD)

ESCAPE FROM L.A.
(May 4, 2010 – MSRP $29.99)
Video: 2.39:1 1080p
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 5.1

Special Features:

• Commentary by director Kathryn Bigelow and cinematographer Jeff Cronenweth
• Featurettes:
  • The Making of K-19: The Widowmaker
  • Exploring the Craft: Make-Up Techniques
  • Breaching the Hull
  • It’s in the Details
• Theatrical trailer (in HD)

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