``Batman Begins'' Soars on a Two-Disc Deluxe Edition DVD October 18 from Warner Home Video; $200 Million Box Office Smash Hit; From Visionary Director Christopher Nolan.

BURBANK, Calif. -- Available in a Single Disc Version and a 2-Disc Deluxe Edition Loaded with Extras and an Exclusive Collectible Comic Book

Hailed by critics as one of the best films of the year, experience this summer's action-packed tale of the legendary Dark Knight when "Batman Begins" debuts on DVD October 18th from Warner Home Video. The origin story of Bruce Wayne from childhood through his transformation to Batman is directed by Christopher Nolan ("Insomnia," "Memento") and stars Christian Bale ("American Psycho," "New World") as Bruce Wayne.

The two-disc Deluxe Edition DVD is packed with spectacular bonus features such as a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, additional information on key characters and weapons that was not revealed in the film, a look at various incarnations of the Dark Knight, an exclusive collectible DC(TM) comic book and much more!

Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Syncopy production of a film by Christopher Nolan, CHRISTIAN BALE in "Batman Begins," starring MICHAEL CAINE, LIAM NEESON, KATIE HOLMES, GARY OLDMAN, CILLIAN MURPHY, TOM WILKINSON, RUTGER HAUER, KEN WATANABE and MORGAN FREEMAN. Directed by CHRISTOPHER NOLAN, the film is produced by EMMA THOMAS, CHARLES ROVEN and LARRY FRANCO. The screenplay is by CHRISTOPHER NOLAN and DAVID S. GOYER, story by DAVID S. GOYER, based upon BATMAN characters created by BOB KANE and published by DC COMICS.

The executive producers are BENJAMIN MELNIKER and MICHAEL E. USLAN. The director of photography is WALLY PFISTER, A.S.C.; the production designer is NATHAN CROWLEY; the film is edited by LEE SMITH, A.C.E.; the costume designer is LINDY HEMMING; and the music is by HANS ZIMMER and JAMES NEWTON HOWARD.

This film has been rated "PG-13" by the MPAA for "intense action violence, disturbing images and some thematic elements." "Batman Begins" is distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. www.batmanbegins.com

"Batman Begins" will be available at $28.98 SRP in both widescreen and full frame formats. The Deluxe Edition will be available for $30.97 SRP.

"Without question, the best Batman ever." -- Joel Siegel, GOOD MORNING AMERICA

SYNOPSIS

"Batman Begins" explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham. In the wake of his parents' murder, disillusioned industrial heir Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and turn fear against those who prey on the fearful. He returns to Gotham and unveils his alter-ego: Batman, a masked crusader who uses his strength, intellect and an array of high tech deceptions to fight the sinister forces that threaten the city.

DVD ELEMENTS

2-DISC DELUXE EDITION with Movie Adaptation Comic Book

Exclusive collectible 72-page comic book from DC Comics(TM)

--Detective Comics #37 -- The very first Batman story.

--"Batman: The Man Who Falls" -- A classic story that inspired "Batman Begins."

--"Batman: The Long Halloween" -- A chilling excerpt that also inspired the film.

Lots of other special features include:

--"Genesis of the Bat": Batman incarnations from the mid-1980s to the present.

--"The Journey Begins": Creative concepts, story development and casting.

--"Shaping Mind and Body": Fighting style.

--"Gotham City Rises": Production design.

--"Cape and Cowl": The new Batsuit.

--"The Tumbler": The new Batmobile.

--"Path to Discovery": Filming in Iceland.

--"Saving Gotham City": The monorail chase sequence.

--"Tankman Begins": A spoof on "Batman Begins."

--Confidential files character/weaponry gallery.

--Still gallery of design ideas developed to market the movie.

--"Batman Begins" mobile game and DVD-Rom* weblinks.

SINGLE DISC EDITION

--Theatrical Trailer.

BASICS

                        Single DVD: $28.98 SRP
                    Deluxe Edition DVD: $30.97 SRP
                     Street Date: October 18, 2005
                  Languages: 5.1 English, 5.1 French
                Subtitles: English, French and Spanish
                       Running time: 140 minutes
                             Rating: PG-13
                       DLBY/SURR DLBY/DGTL (CC)

THE CREDITS

With operations in 90 international territories Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video's film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.

DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC super heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics' Web site is located at www.dccomics.com.

BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (C) DC Comics.

Photo material can be downloaded at www.whvdirect.com.