CR DVD Is Number One!

Hardyboy

While Casino Royale may have struggled to reach #1 at the U.S. box office, it's a clear #1 in DVD sales, according to Reuters. While it's tops in sales, it's only second in rentals. I'd say something about a boycott at work, but I just have too much class for that. :v

Loeffelholz

Looks like the boycott of the DVD is enjoying a success similar to that of the theatrical release... {[]

Gassy Man

Just got my copy -- it looks and sounds great! Even better than in the theater. I have some friends, too, who have avoided Bond films for years and are nonetheless buying a copy. "Casino Royale" took so much heat early on for supposedly tampering with the sacred formula/cliches, and yet it is enjoying tremendous success now with both Bond afficionados and the masses. How ironic.

Tee Hee

Can't say I'm surprised considering two of my friends who are by no means mainstream Bond fans both picked up a copy.

I must say this is quite an accomplishment for a rather disappointing DVD, containing so few special features.

Thundernuts

You know a film is a success when your retired Mum rushes out to buy it.

My Mother, who was something of a Bond fan in the sixties (It was she who first sat me down in front of Thunderball to watch Sean Connery on the TV in 1977) phoned (PHONED) me yesterday to tell me that she and my step-father had purchased their copy of Casino Royale and have watched it twice again already.

Now my mother fell out of love with James Bond during the Roger Moore era. She couldn't stand the bloke. She fell briefly back in love with Dalton for TLD and LTK and from the Brosnan films she saw, she actually said he would have made a great Bond if "They didn't write such silly stories for him"

My mother never rushes out to buy DVD's. It's a struggle for her to operate a DVD player half the time.

Although I could have done without the confession that when Craig Delivers that ubiquitous line at the end of the film to Mr White, that she got all 'moist'

*Shudders. Throws Up*

Having said that, who can honestly admit to getting a few goose-bumps when you see Bond's shoes move into shot and the old theme starts up?

No? Just me, then?

*Looks for exit*

blueman

That's awesome about your mum, T-nuts! I'm actually waiting for a used copy to show up at my local used CD/DVD shop, doesn't take very long with these big-ticket releases (is that like a boycott?). I'm such a cheapskate, but I saw it 5 times on the big screen, EON got plenty from me already.

Funny how the man who was gonna end the series is bringing 'em back to Bond bigtime. Must be a good movie for a stripped-down DVD to sell like that, heh.

s96024

I have noticed the release has been highly publicised. Every shop window has it in. Every bus stop has a poster in it.

words

blueman wrote:

That's awesome about your mum, T-nuts! I'm actually waiting for a used copy to show up at my local used CD/DVD shop, doesn't take very long with these big-ticket releases (is that like a boycott?). I'm such a cheapskate, but I saw it 5 times on the big screen, EON got plenty from me already.

Funny how the man who was gonna end the series is bringing 'em back to Bond bigtime. Must be a good movie for a stripped-down DVD to sell like that, heh.

I have a 51 year old lady who works part-time for me, and her kids got it for her for Mothers Day because she liked it so much. The appeal certainly is universal!

Tilly Masterson 007

Just got my copy, going to view it now for the second time (first time being cinema.)

highhopes

Given that so many people are buying the film, I'm not really surprised it's second as a rental. Although I can't imagine anyone wanting to watch Holiday once, much less buy it so they can watch it over and over.

Hardyboy

In related news, Casino Royale is becoming the first big film bestseller in Blu-ray format. This from an article on TVPredictions.com:

Casino Royale: The HD-DVD Killer?
The James Bond movie appears to be a Blu-ray hit.

By Phillip Swann

Washington, D.C. (March 26, 2007) -- The Blu-ray industry may have finally discovered a secret weapon. And its name is Bond.

James Bond.

Casino Royale, the latest in the Bond film series, was recently released on Blu-ray high-def disc and reports indicate that sales are booming.

At Amazon.com today, the Blu-ray version of Casino Royale is ranked #31 in total DVD sales, an unusually high number for a non-standard DVD.

Nielsen VideoScan, which tracks DVD sales, says Casino Royale is outselling any other HDTV DVD by nearly 10-1.

And HighDefDigest estimates that 100,000 copies of the Blu-ray disc may have been sold in the United States thus far, based on the Nielsen data.

Since the introduction of Sony PlayStation 3 game console last November, Blu-ray titles have outsold its high-def format rival, HD-DVD, by a 2-1 margin. But Casino Royale's soaring sales could indicate that the gap is still widening.

It also could indicate that Blu-ray will have a big summer when more top titles are released in the format. Blu-ray has the support of seven of the eight major studios, with four backing it exclusively.

Casino Royale, a Sony picture, is not available on HD-DVD.

Moore Not Less

Casino Royale is the most successful DVD ever for first week sales in the UK.

For the full article

Casino Royale Breaks New Records

http://www.easier.com/view/Lifestyle/Entertainment/Staying_In/article-106922.html

Casino Royale has sold a staggering 1,622,852 units in its first week of release (from 19th March), making it the most successful selling DVD for first week sales, in the UK, ever.

It is not only the DVD that has broken records, this home entertainment release has been a huge boost for the new hi-definition Blu-ray Disc format with 9,456 units being sold in week one - confirming a demand for High Definition content among UK consumers.

Andy Armstrong, managing director, SPHE, UK said: "We are delighted that the latest installment of this quintessentially British and hugely successful franchise has hit the top of the charts by breaking the record for week one DVD sales. This, as well as the title smashing box-office records, is testament to how the Bond brand has been invigorated with Daniel Craig as the new 007."

s96024

Wow. Success after success for this film. I agree it's films like this which will decide the format war between HD-dvd and Blu-ray.