MAMMA MIA! DVD Takes In 30 Million In First Day Of Sales

Universal is reporting that consumers said "Gimme Gimme Gimme" to Mamma Mia! The Movie, the most successful film musical of all time worldwide, as first day domestic DVD and Blu-ray^TM consumer spend totaled over $30 million.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment sold over 2.25 million units of the Golden Globe® -nominated blockbuster on December 16, 2008.

An unprecedented worldwide box office phenomenon, Mamma Mia! The Movie has already been proclaimed the fastest selling DVD of all time in the U.K. after first-day sales reached 1.6 million units, surpassing the previous decade-long record holder Titanic on November 24, 2008 by over a half-million units, or 50 percent of total sales.

Overflowing with high-spirited fun, Mamma Mia! The Movie is the ultimate film for every "Dancing Queen" to enjoy at home this holiday season, and makes the perfect gift for the whole family. The film recently garnered two Golden Globe ®nominations including Best Picture (Musical or Comedy) and Best Actress in Musical or Comedy for Meryl Streep.

"Adding spectacular star power to the record-breaking popularity of the global stage hit and the unforgettable music of ABBA has made Mamma Mia! The Movie the must-see film event of the year," said Craig Kornblau, President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment and Universal Pictures Digital Platform. "That unbeatable combination has created extraordinary demand for the new DVD and Blu-ray releases, as demonstrated by its phenomenal success in the U.S. and all over the world."

In the U.K., Mamma Mia! The Movie continued its winning streak, selling 3.2 million units in its first week, beating Titanic's 10-year record by 35 percent. In Australia, the DVD became the biggest DVD release of the past two years, holding the number-one spot for four consecutive weeks. The title is now poised to become one of the continent's top- five DVDs of all time. It is also Universals' biggest home entertainment release ever in Germany, with one million units shipped to date. In Nordic territories, the title has broken all industry records to date, with 1.2 million units shipped in its first week.

Inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA's hit songs, Mamma Mia! The Movie is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family. Two-time Oscar® winner Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada) and Pierce Brosnan (Die Another Day) head up an all-star cast that also includes Amanda Seyfried ("Big Love"), Colin Firth (Love Actually), Stellan Skarsgård (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End), Julie Walters (the Harry Potter films), Dominic Cooper (The History Boys) and Christine Baranski (Chicago). The three women who created the worldwide smash stage hit-global producer Judy Craymer, writer Catherine Johnson and director Phyllida Lloyd-reprise their roles in bringing this joyful, musical story to the big screen. Craymer shares producing credit with Gary Goetzman (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Charlie Wilson's War). Executive producers are Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Mark Huffman.

Seen by more than 32 million people around the world, the stage production of Mamma Mia! is celebrating more than seven years on Broadway and is currently playing record-breaking engagements in Las Vegas and on national tour in the United States. There are currently eight productions of Mamma Mia! running around the world.

Available for a limited time only, the most infectiously fun movie of the year comes in two-disc Special Edition widescreen DVD and two-disc Blu-ray Hi-Def with digital copy. Both versions are packed with bonus materials including a deleted musical number, "Name of the Game," and a sing-along feature that provides onscreen lyrics to the film's 22 musical numbers. And, only on Blu-ray, fans can create their own video, audio or text track to watch with the movie and share with friends.

Both versions are packed with bonus materials including a deleted musical number and a bonus feature which provides onscreen lyrics so that viewers can sing along to the film's 19 iconic songs. Additionally, only on Blu-ray, fans can experience the film in perfect picture and purest digital sound, and via BD Live, create their own video, audio or text track to watch with the movie and share with friends.

Overflowing with high-spirited fun, Mamma Mia! The Movie is the perfect film to enjoy at home this holiday season, and great for gift giving. Joining Streep and Brosnan onscreen are Amanda Seyfried ("Big Love"), Colin Firth (Love Actually), Stellan Skarsgård (Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End), Julie Walters (the Harry Potter films), Dominic Cooper (The History Boys) and Christine Baranski (Chicago).

The three women who created the worldwide smash stage hit-global producer Judy Craymer, writer Catherine Johnson and director Phyllida Lloyd-repeat their roles in bringing this joyful, musical story to the big screen. The Mamma Mia! film is produced by Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Charlie Wilson's War).

Mamma Mia! The Movie is an unprecedented worldwide phenomenon that continues to break records around the world. To date, it is the most successful movie musical of all time worldwide.

Seen on stage by over 32 million people around the world, the global smash hit stage production of MAMMA MIA!, is celebrating more than 7 years on Broadway and is currently playing record-breaking engagements in Las Vegas and on National Tour in the United States. There are currently 8 productions of MAMMA MIA! running around the world (6 resident productions and 2 tours).

An independent, single mother who owns a small hotel on an idyllic Greek island, Donna (Meryl Streep) is about to let go of Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), the spirited daughter she's raised alone. For Sophie's wedding, Donna has invited her two lifelong best girlfriends-practical and no-nonsense Rosie (Julie Walters) and wealthy, multi-divorcee Tanya (Christine Baranski)-from her one-time backing band, Donna and the Dynamos. But Sophie has secretly invited three guests of her own. On a quest to find the identity of her father to walk her down the aisle, she brings back three men from Donna's past to the Mediterranean paradise they visited 20 years earlier. Over 24 chaotic, magical hours, new love will bloom and old romances will be rekindled on this lush island full of possibilities. Inspired by the storytelling magic of ABBA's hit songs from "Dancing Queen" and "S.O.S." to "Money, Money, Money" and "Take a Chance on Me," Mamma Mia! The Movie is a celebration of mothers and daughters, old friends and new family found.

The single disc DVD is priced at $29.98 SRP, the 2-disc Special Edition is available for $34.98 SRP, and the Blu-ray Hi-Def is priced at $39.98 SRP.

CRITICS SING THE PRAISES OF MAMMA MIA! THE MOVIE

Some of America's top critics saluted Mamma Mia! The Movie when it took the country by storm with its catchy tunes and ebullient message. "An absolutely hilarious, rousing and joyous celebration! You'll want to see it again the minute it ends," raves Pete Hammond, of Hollywood.com. Richard Roeper of "At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper" says the film is "a lot of fun" while Ray Bennett of The Hollywood Reporter writes, "Meryl Streep is sensational!" and the movie is "irresistible," adding, "this is the winner that will take it all!" Bradley Jacobs of Us Weekly declares Mamma Mia! The Movie, "A crowd-pleaser!"

BONUS FEATURES

Bonus features on the Mamma Mia! The Movie single disc, 2-disc Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def include:

Sing Along: Watch the film and sing along to the lyrics displayed at the bottom of the screen. With 22 ABBA songs from "Dancing Queen" to "Take a Chance on Me," take your home entertainment experience to a whole new level!

All-New Musical Number: "The Name Of The Game"

Feature Commentary with Director Phyllida Lloyd

The following bonus features further enhance the 2-disc Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray Hi-Def versions:

Deleted Scenes

Outtakes

The Making of Mamma Mia!: Executive producers Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson join director Phyllida Lloyd, writer Catherine Johnson and producers Judy Craymer and Gary Goetzman, to give viewers an in-depth look into the creation of Mamma Mia! The Movie.

Anatomy of a Musical Number: "Lay All Your Love on Me": This featurette includes footage of Amanda Seyfried and Dominic Cooper as they create one of the movie's most unforgettable scenes.

Becoming a Singer: Go in-studio with the cast of Mamma Mia! The Movie.
Behind the Scenes with Amanda: Film star Amanda Seyfried shares with viewers life on the set of the movie.

On Location in Greece: Take a trip to Greece with the filmmakers to see how the movie was made.

A Look Inside Mamma Mia!

"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" Music Video

Digital Copy for your iPod, Mac or PC (for a limited time only)

EXCLUSIVE BLU-RAY CONTENT

Only on Blu-ray Hi-Def can fans experience the following interactive features:

BD-LIVE: Download even more exclusive content, the latest trailers and more through your internet connected player!

My Commentary: Join the celebration and create your own video, audio or text track to watch with the movie and send to your friends.

My Scenes Sharing: Show your friends your favorite scenes from Mamma Mia! The Movie via BD-Live.

Downloadable Content: Gain exclusive access to never-before-seen bonus content and new trailers via BD-Live.

Exclusive U-Control: Universal's exclusive signature feature U-Control allows viewers to delve into the making of the film with the click of the remote without ever leaving the movie.

Picture-in-Picture: Learn more about the making of this film, while watching the movie.

Behind The Hits: This graphics-only feature allows fans to learn more about the film's iconic songs.

CAST AND FILMMAKERS

Directed by: Phyllida Lloyd

Screenplay by: Catherine Johnson

Produced by: Judy Craymer, Gary Goetzman

Music and Lyrics by: Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus

Some Songs with: Stig Anderson

Based on the Original Musical Book by: Catherine Johnson

Originally Conceived by: Judy Craymer

Based on the Songs of: ABBA

Executive Producers: Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Rita Wilson, Tom Hanks, Mark Huffam

Director of Photography: Haris Zambarloukos, BSC

Production Designer: Maria Djurkovic

Film Editor: Lesley Walker

Costume Designer: Ann Roth

Choreographer: Anthony Van Laast

Musical Director: Martin Lowe

Cast: Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Julie Walters, Dominic Cooper, Amanda Seyfried and Christine Baranski

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

DVD & BLU-RAY HI DEF:

Street Date: December 16, 2008

Copyright: 2008 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Price:

· SINGLE DISC DVD: $29.98 SRP

· 2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION: $34.98 SRP

· BLU-RAY HI-DEF: $39.98 SRP

Selection Number:

* DVD SINGLE DISC WS: 61101999
* DVD SINGLE DISC FF: 61106622
* DVD 2-DISC WS: 61107917
* BLU-RAY HI-DEF: 61106619

Running Time: 1 hour, 49 minutes

Layers:
DVD: Dual
BLU-RAY HI-DEF: BD-50

Aspect Ratio:

* DVD FF: Full Frame 1.33:1
* DVD WS: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.40:1
* BLU-RAY HI-DEF: Widescreen 2.40:1

Rating: PG-13 (for some sex-related comments)

DVD: Dolby Digital 5.1 English, French and Spanish

BLU-RAY HI-DEF: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; Spanish/French DTS Surround 5.1

Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles

http://www.mammamiamovie.com/

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