About.com Previews Narnia DVDs

NEW: ORDER THE NARNIA DVD NOW

Fred Topel from About.com has previewed the special features on the single and two-disc editions of the Narnia DVDs.

In Spring 2006, you can choose between two DVDs. A single disc release will have two commentaries (Andrew Adamson and his technical crew, and Andrew Adamson with the kids), a pop up fact track (created in conjunction with the C.S. Lewis estate) and a menu/screen saver with scenes of the production. The two disc set has all that plus a second disc of bonus features, housed in a case that looks like the wardrobe. Disc two’s menu actually lets you walk through the wardrobe as you select extras.

Bonus features on the second disc include:

Cinematic Storytellers
The Children’s Magical Journey
Anatomy of a Scene (the melting river)
Chronicles of a Director
Meet the Creatures of Narnia
Three dimensional map and tour
DVD production
Production footage

Read the whole article for an in-depth description of each of these features.

UPDATE: Video Business Online adds that the double-disc DVD “will include a collector’s booklet, concept art and 10 hours of bonus features on the second disc divided between features on filmmaking and features on the creatures and characters in the film.

Also included are backgrounders on 11 of the creatures in the film, an interactive map of Narnia with descriptions of different locales and a feature on author Lewis.”

All we can say is, 10 hours … that’s a whole lot of Narnia!

UPDATE 2: IESB.com has a full list of the special features on the second disc.

Bloopers of Narnia
Fun Facts of Narnia
The Children’s Magic Journey – making of the film with the film’s young stars
Anatomy of a Scene: The Melting River
Chronicles of a Director – Andrew Adamson’s personal film diary
Cinematic Storytellers – Personal film diaries from key production members
Creating Creatures – learn how many of the film’s amazing creatures came to life
Creatures of the World – more on Narnia’s fantastic creature creations
From One Man’s Mind – A look at author C.S. Lewis
Explore Narnia – A 3-dimensional journey throughout the lands
Legends In Time – A timeline of Narnia

UPDATE 3: Press release added…

BURBANK, Calif., February 7, 2006 – Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media present C.S. Lewis’s THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, available on DVD and PSP™ on April 4. This spectacular $280 million box-office triumph, Walt Disney Pictures’ third highest grossing live-action film of all time, will be available as a single disc DVD with outstanding bonus features, and as a Special 2-Disc Collector’s Edition DVD. The Special Edition takes viewers on a deeper adventure into the world of Narnia with nearly ten hours of bonus features – including a behind-the-scenes tour with the film’s child stars, director’s diary, ‘cinematic storytellers’ film diaries, multiple audio commentaries, 3-D map, interactive timeline, featurettes on the creatures and much more. The “Narnia” DVD production team worked with the filmmakers from the very start of the film’s production, resulting in exclusive, never-before-seen bonus features that deliver unprecedented access into this cinematic blockbuster. This majestic epic has been Academy Award®-nominated for 2006 Best Visual Effects, Best Makeup and Best Sound Mixing,

Prepare to enter a world filled with mystical creatures, wondrous lands and stunning special effects, from Andrew Adamson, the acclaimed director of “Shrek.” Through a magical wardrobe, four children embark on an adventure to the enchanting land of Narnia, where they help the great lion, Aslan, conquer the dark magic of the White Witch and restore peace to a land threatened with eternal winter. This critically acclaimed audience favorite, the “must-own” movie of the year, is available on single disc DVD and separately on UMD™ for PSP™for $29.99 (S.R.P.) each, and on a Special Two-Disc Collector’s Edition DVD for $34.99 (S.R.P.) from Walt Disney Home Entertainment.