From the Acclaimed Director of 'Scarface' and the Best-Selling Author of 'L.A. Confidential': 'The Black Dahlia'

From the Acclaimed Director of 'Scarface' and the Best-Selling Author of 'L.A. Confidential': 'The Black Dahlia'

Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart and Two-Time Oscar(R) Winner Hilary Swank Star in the Dark and Gripping Crime Thriller Inspired by the Notorious Unsolved Hollywood Murder

On DVD With Exclusive Bonus Features December 26, 2006 From Universal Studios Home Entertainment

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The acclaimed director of "Scarface" and the best-selling author of "L.A. Confidential" take on the most notorious unsolved murder case in California history in "The Black Dahlia," coming to DVD on December 26, 2006 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. An all-star cast, including Josh Hartnett ("Sin City," "Black Hawk Down"), Scarlett Johansson ("Lost In Translation," "The Prestige"), Aaron Eckhart ("Erin Brockovich," "Thank You For Smoking") and two-time Academy Award(R) winner Hilary Swank ("Million Dollar Baby," "Boys Don't Cry"), headlines this provocative crime film directed by the modern master of the suspense thriller, Brian De Palma. Written for the screen by Josh Friedman ("War of the Worlds") and based on James Ellroy's explosive best-selling novel, the film is inspired by the infamous 1947 killing of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short. The DVD includes over 45 minutes of compelling bonus features that delve deep into the mysteries of the gruesome and fascinating crime that continues to intrigue almost 60 years later. The DVD is priced at $29.98. Preorder close is November 21, 2006.

"The Black Dahlia" weaves a tale of lust, corruption, greed and depravity around the brutal murder of fledgling Hollywood starlet Elizabeth Short, also known as "The Black Dahlia." The film follows a pair of Los Angeles detectives, Lee Blanchard (Aaron Eckhart) and Bucky Bleichert (Josh Hartnett), as they investigate the shocking and gruesome murder that fascinated the nation in 1947 and remains unsolved today. With a corpse so mutilated that photos are kept from the public, the case becomes an obsession for the men, and their lives begin to unravel. Blanchard's relationship with his girlfriend Kay (Scarlett Johansson) is threatened, while Bleichert finds himself drawn to the enigmatic Madeleine (Hilary Swank), a wealthy woman with a dark and twisted connection to the victim.

BONUS FEATURES EXPLORE THE MYSTERIES OF "THE BLACK DAHLIA"

"The Black Dahlia" DVD includes more than 45 minutes of compelling bonus features that illuminate some of the mysteries enveloping the horrific unsolved crime that shocked the nation. Bonus features include:

* Reality and Fiction: The Story of The Black Dahlia -- Sit down with
best-selling novelist James Ellroy as he gives his in-depth perspective
on the Black Dahlia crime.
* The Case File -- Go behind the scenes to meet the filmmakers, actors
and crew who brought an infamous legend to the screen.
* The De Palma Touch -- A special look at Brian De Palma's unique and
shocking visual style.

For more information please visit: www.theblackdahliamovie.com

CAST & FILMMAKERS
Director: Brian De Palma
Screenplay By: Josh Friedman
Based on a Novel by: James Ellroy
Produced By: Art Linson, Avi Lerner, Moshe Diamant, Rudy Cohen
Executive Producers: James B. Harris, Danny Dimbort, Boaz Davidson, Trevor
Short, John Thompson, Andreas Thiesmeyer, Josef Lautenschlager, Henrik
Huydts, Rolf Deyhle
Co-Executive Producers: Samuel Hadida, Victor Hadida
Line Producer: Michael P. Flannigan
Director of Photography: Vilmos Zsigmond, ASC
Production Designed By: Dante Ferretti
Edited By: Bill Pankow, ACE
Costume Designer: Jenny Beaven
Music By: Mark Isham
Casting By: Johanna Ray, CSA, Lucy Boulting
Cast: Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank, Mia
Kirshner, Mike Starr, Fiona Shaw

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
DVD
Street Date: December 26, 2006
Pre-Order Close: November 21, 2006
Copyright: 2006 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $29.98 SRP
Selection Number: Widescreen: 29180; Full Frame: 29181
Running Time: 2 Hours 2 Minutes
Layers: Dual Layer
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen: 2.35:1; Full Frame: 1.33:1
Rating: R for strong violence, some grisly images, sexual content and
language.
Technical Info:
* English and French Audio: Dolby Digital 5.0; Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0
* English SDH, Spanish, French Subtitles

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
Vivian Mayer
Senior Vice President, Publicity
(818) 777-3594

Michelle Slavich
Director of Publicity
(818) 777-5344

Craig Radow
Senior Manager, Publicity
(818) 777-4572

Kelly Castell
Assistant Manager, Broadcast Publicity
(818) 777-0549

http://www.theblackdahliamovie.com/

Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

CONTACT: Vivian Mayer, Senior Vice President, Publicity,
+1-818-777-3594, or Michelle Slavich, Director of Publicity, +1-818-777-5344,
or Craig Radow, Senior Manager, Publicity, +1-818-777-4572, or Kelly Castell
Assistant Manager, Broadcast Publicity, +1-818-777-0549, all of Universal
Studios Home Entertainment

Web site: http://www.theblackdahliamovie.com/

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: For artwork or screeners, please log on to our Web site at www.ushepublicity.com or fax your request to Universal Studios Home Entertainment Publicity at (818) 866-0226.

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