UNIVERSAL CITY, CA. (Universal Studios Home Entertainment) - From director
Martin Scorsese, creator of such cinematic masterpieces as "Taxi Driver," "GoodFellas," and "The Aviator" comes the critically-acclaimed "Casino" in an all-new 10th Anniversary Edition. Written by Scorsese and best-selling author and screenwriter Nicholas Pileggi ("Wiseguy," "
GoodFellas"), the film stars Robert De Niro as suave casino boss Sam "Ace" Rothstein; Joe Pesci as volatile crime kingpin Nicky Santoro; and Sharon Stone as Rothstein's wife Ginger.
Stone's gripping portrayal of Rothstein's beautiful but treacherous Ginger earned her a Golden Globe award and an Oscar(R) nomination. The film also features memorable supporting performances from James Woods, Don Rickles, Alan King, Kevin Pollak, L.Q. Jones and Frank Vincent. Ingeniously shot and lavishly produced, "Casino" captures the opulence, decadence and lurking danger of the old Sin City at a time just before corporate suits replaced "made men" as Vegas' ruling class. As Las Vegas celebrates its 100th anniversary, it's the perfect time to revisit this riveting tale of greed, passion and betrayal. Priced at $22.98 SRP, the "Casino 10th Anniversary Edition" DVD arrives in stores June 14, 2005. The pre-order deadline is May 10, 2005.
From Critic's Favorite to Hip Hop Icon
Immediately upon its release in 1995, "Casino" was praised by film critics and film buffs alike, who lauded it one of the year's best and the perfect follow-up to Scorsese's previous gangster masterpieces "Mean Streets" and "GoodFellas." Since then, in the tradition of such modern mob classics as "Scarface" and "The Godfather," "Casino" has built a following among a new generation of young urban fans. In deference to its enduring status as a Hip Hop icon, numerous top-selling music artists have paid homage to the film through their videos, album covers and song lyrics. Among them are Nas, whose music video for the song "Street Dreams" is a re-enactment of "Casino" with the rapper in the role of Ace Rothstein and The Firm, whose cover for the CD "The Album" replicates the "Casino" movie poster in minute detail. Other legendary artists such as Notorious B.I.G., Jay Z, Ice T, Jadakis, 2Pac, Scarface, and Kool G Rap have made reference to the film and its characters in their raps, further establishing "Casino" as a touchstone of urban culture.
Hit the Jackpot with Casino's Bonus Features
The "Casino 10th Anniversary Edition" DVD is loaded with nearly two hours of all-new, fascinating bonus material, offering viewers an "eye-in-the-sky" view into the making of this groundbreaking film and the indulgent city it depicts.
Features include:
* Casino: The Story: A fascinating exploration of the script, the book, and how director Martin Scorsese collaborated with writer Nicholas Pileggi to bring the story and characters of "Casino" to life.
* Casino: The Cast & Characters: Discover the real people behind the characters.
* Casino: The Look: A revealing look at the unique style of the film.
* Casino: After the Filming: A retrospective on why "Casino" has become a classic.
* Vegas & the Mob: NBC News takes a look at Las Vegas' rough beginnings.
* Great Mob Writers: Nicholas Pileggi: The History Channel highlights the career of writer Nicholas Pileggi.
* Moments with Martin Scorsese, Sharon Stone, Nicholas Pileggi and more: Audio commentary with Martin Scorsese, Thelma Schoonmaker, Barbara De Fina, Nicholas Pileggi, Rita Ryack, Frank Vincent, and Sharon Stone.
* Deleted Scenes
Synopsis
Based on Nicholas Pileggi's riveting book about the events leading up to the decline of the Mafia's Las Vegas empire, Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci star in director Martin Scorsese's riveting look at how blind ambition, white-hot passion and 24-karat greed toppled an empire.
"Casino" tells the story of Sam "Ace" Rothstein (Robert De Niro), a famed gambler anointed by Kansas City mobsters to oversee a glitzy Vegas casino. An obsessive perfectionist, Rothstein rules the Tangiers with a smooth touch and an iron fist, quickly turning it into a quasi-legal, money-making machine for his Midwestern sponsors. Soon his wealth, charm and marriage to the dazzling Ginger McKenna give Rothstein entree to Las Vegas' elite social circles. But the arrival of Rothstein's boyhood friend, brutal crime boss Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci), puts the Tangiers in the crosshairs of law enforcement and state gaming officials. And when Ace, Nicky and Ginger find themselves in a messy and potentially lethal love triangle, it threatens to bring down the mob's entire Las Vegas operation.
CAST & FILMMAKERS
Director: Martin Scorsese
Screenwriters: Nicholas Pileggi, Martin Scorsese
Based on Book By: Nicholas Pileggi
Producer: Barbara De Fina
Director of Photography: Robert Richardson
Production Designer: Dante Ferretti
Editor: Thelma Schoonmaker
Costume Designers: John Dunn, Rita Ryack
Original Music: Al Jacobs
Cast: Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone, Joe Pesci, James Woods, Don Rickles, Alan King, Kevin Pollak, L.Q. Jones, Dick Smothers, Frank Vincent, ohn Bloom, Pasquale Cajano, Melissa Prophet
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
DVD
Street Date: June 14, 2005
Pre-Order Date: May 10, 2005
Copyright: 2005 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Price: $22.98 SRP
Selection Numbers: 23552 Anamorphic Widescreen/27541 Full Frame
Running Time: 2 Hours 59 Minutes
Layers: Dual (Double-Sided)
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1; Full Frame 1.33:1
Rating: R (Strong Brutal Violence, Pervasive Strong Language, Drug Use and Some Sexuality)
Technical Info: English Dolby Digital 5.1/Captioned; Spanish Dolby
Digital 5.1/Subtitled; French Dolby Digital 5.1/Subtitled
