Ahead of its long overdue home entertainment release this month, Warner Bros. has dropped a wide array of remastered clips from Batman: The Complete Television Series, as well as a split-screen sample which shows just how much of an improvement has been made on the original transfers. This is going to be one helluva Blu-Ray Collector’s set.
The sample footage is absolutely stunning, even more so when compared to the old prints. It’s great that Warner Bros. and Fox have taken the time to actually deliver on a quality product for every fan of the show or Batman in general.
A new press release from Warner shows off all the bells and whistles (and then some) that the set will deliver. Something for every Bat-fan. In case you don’t want to read the entire press release, we decided to sum up the more intriguing aspects of the set such as: the pilot for the undeveloped Batgirl series, the inclusion of the 1966 feature film (though only on DVD for some reason), Burt Ward’s screen-tests, as well as detailed exploration of key-episodes with Adam West himself.
In addition to favorites West and Ward, the series featured a long list of notable guest stars and cameo appearances over the course of three seasons including Julie Newmar, Cesar Romero, Liberace, Vincent Price, Burgess Meredith, Bruce Lee, Sammy Davis Jr. and many more
What’s also great is that Warner are offering the set in a variety of ways. Not only can a fan decide whether they want the set on DVD or Blu-Ray, but also digital copies (in HD of course) in addition to a limited time only offer exclusive to comic book retailers that includes the Limited Edition Blu-ray set packaged with BATMAN: THE TV STORIES, a hardcover Batman ’66 comic book.
Take a look at the full press release below:
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) sets a new standard for accommodating Bat-fans from the uber-avid to caped-casual, with the upcoming release of Batman: The Complete Television Series on November 11, 2014. The most anticipated home entertainment release of all time will be available in several distinct packaging choices with varying content and bonus materials. These offerings include multiple national physical options – most notably, the Limited Edition Blu-ray box set – as well as varying digital selections, and a few specialty alternatives.
“We understand the widespread demand for Batman: The Complete Television Series, and we also appreciate the varying degrees of fandom surrounding this release,” said Rosemary Markson, WBHEG Senior Vice President, TV Brand Management and Retail Marketing “To that end, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has created an option for virtually every fan’s level of interest, whether that be basking in the highly collectable Limited Edition Blu-ray set or simply enjoying this landmark series in its beautifully re-mastered exhibition on Blu-ray, DVD or Digital HD.”
As the ultimate collector’s pièce de résistance, the Limited Edition box set (SRP $269.97) is a numbered, beautifully packaged set and spotlights all 120 episodes in spectacularly-re-mastered footage on Blu-ray. The package comes complete with an exclusive Hot Wheels Replica Batmobile, 44 vintage replica trading cards, the Adam West Photobook with never-before seen images from Adam West’s private archives, an extensive Episode Guide and Ultraviolet Digital Copy of all 120 episodes. Also included is more than three hours of extended content with featurettes such as “Hanging with Batman,” a true slice of life in the words of Adam West; “Holy Memorabilia, Batman!” a journey into the most sought-after collectibles through the eyes of three extraordinary collectors; “Batmania Born! – Building the World of Batman,” which explores the art and design behind the fiction; “Bats of the Round Table,” a candid conversation with Adam West and celebrity friends like director Kevin Smith, DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee, radio personality Ralph Garman and actor Phil Morris, chatting all things Bat ’66; “Inventing Batman in the words of Adam West,” a rare treat for the fans as Adam discusses his script notes on bringing Batman to life in the first and second episodes; and “Na Na Na Batman!” where some of Hollywood favorite’s stars and producers recount their favorite Batman memories. Bonus features also contain a few goodies from the archives including Burt Ward’s original screen test with Adam West, the Batgirl pilot and more!
Also coming to retail stores on November 11 are the Batman: The Complete Television Series DVD set (18 DVDs, extensive Episode Guide, more than three hours of enhanced content, SRP $199.70) and Batman: The Complete First Season DVD set (5 DVDs, SRP $39.98).
DC Entertainment has also created a limited time only offer exclusive to comic book retailers, that includes the Limited Edition Blu-ray set packaged with BATMAN: THE TV STORIES HC, a hardcover Batman ’66 comic book.
Fans hoping to add the Caped Crusader’s classic TV series to their digital collection will be pleased to find a trio of options available on November 11. When purchased as a bundle, the digital version of Batman: The Complete Television Series includes all three seasons of the series in either HD or standard definition, as well as the entire slate of enhanced content features from the physical complete series offerings. In addition, individual seasons of the landmark series will be available digitally in either HD or SD. “Batman: Season 1” offers all 34 first-season episodes; “Batman: Season 2, Part 1” and “Batman: Season 2, Part 2” offer the first and second 30 episodes of that season, respectively; and “Batman: Season 3” has the final 26 episodes of the series.
Started in late October, there is also a special Direct Response promotional program seen on television that will feature a few specialty editions of the series on Blu-ray and DVD. These include: the Complete Classic Batman Collection on Blu-ray (SRP $174.95) and on DVD (SRP $149.95), both of which include over 50 hours of entertainment, starting with all 120 episodes from the landmark series; and the Classic Batman Collection (SRP $99.95), featuring 64 of your favorite original broadcast episodes fully remastered in a 12-DVD set. These sets will be available to purchase via telephone or on batmanondvd.com. All three options also come with:
- Over 3 Hours of ALL NEW bonus materials (identical to Limited Edition box set)
- Adam West Naked on DVD: Watch as Adam takes you behind the scenes of your favorite episodes!
- The Original 1966 Batman Movie DVD starring Adam West and Burt Ward
- Detailed Episode Guide
- Your Own Show Script from the Episode ‘The Joker is Wild’
- A Personal Letter from Adam West to you!
Yes, yes. We know. This will probably be on top of a lot of lists this holiday season.
Images: Warners Bros., 20th Century Fox
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