The Polar Express Returns to DVD

Topping $300 million in worldwide box office sales since its theatrical release in 2004 and one of Warner Home Video’s all–time best–selling family DVDs, The Polar Express hits stores this week for its 1st annual re–release through Warner Home Video and Shangri–La Entertainment on October 3, 2006.

Joining the ranks of holiday classics such as It’s A Wonderful Life, A Christmas Story, Miracle On 34th Street and A Christmas Carol, The Polar Express has quickly become a cherished holiday film that families everywhere have made a part of their traditional holiday celebrations.

More than 12 million DVD units have been sold to consumers worldwide who have added this inspiring adventure from the Oscar® –winning team of Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis to their home and church libraries, used them as teaching tools or shared them as gifts. Marking another milestone and affirming its status as a perennial classic, the endearing film also returns to theaters this holiday season with its third IMAX release of The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience. The film will also premiere on ABC Television this holiday, as The Polar Express will be one of the blockbuster movies airing as part of ABC Family's ninth annual 25 Days of Christmas programming event that features over a 100 hours of holiday–themed entertainment in December.

Not only is the film becoming a classic for families, but the DVD and the unique teaching and preaching resources continue to be utilized by churches, schools, and families across the nation, who originally flocked to movie theaters to see The Polar Express and experience the movie’s powerful themes of faith, hope, and charity. For three years, families, ministries, pastors, church leaders and educators have been assisted by these unique resources, created by Motive Entertainment (the company behind the faith–based marketing of The Passion of the Christ, The Polar Express, and Chronicles of Narnia) , with the help of world–renowned author/speaker/pastor Max Lucado and family ministry, HomeWord, a faith–based multi–media company equipping parents to raise God–honoring children.

“The big idea in this movie is faith,” says Jim Burns, president of HomeWord. “This film gives you an excellent and timely opportunity to underscore biblical truth and values by utilizing a wonderful film that is sure to become a classic Christmas story. The Polar Express is loaded with wonderful values…caring for others, kindness, truth–telling, sharing, working together, and adventure.”

The unchanging message of the film has been annually incorporated into family, school and church events, along with new and updated features and faith–based resources at www.PolarExpressResources.com , and this year carries on the tradition.

Most notable is the Polar Express Teaching & Preaching Resource DVD, featuring teachings from Max Lucado, together with clips from the film, and behind–the–scenes interviews with cast and crew (including Tom Hanks).

Extra features on the 2006 Two–Disc Special Edition include a making of feature that explores how Tom Hanks and the brilliant special effects team created five different characters; Chris Van Allsburg discussing how he conceived the idea for The Polar Express book; Josh Groban’s live performance of the Grammy® award winning original song Believe which was also nominated for an Academy Award® and a Golden Globe®; two interactive challenges for children; a DVD–ROM weblink to the online world of The Polar Express and more!

The Polar Express will be offered in two versions at a great price: $26.99 SRP for the Two–Disc Special Edition and $19.97 SRP for the movie–only version.

In connection with the special holiday release, The Polar Express themed float will appear for the second year in a row in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®, the renowned New York City event that has kicked off the holiday season since 1924.

The Polar Express is based on the beloved Caldecott Medal children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg about a doubting young boy who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. He embarks on a journey of self–discovery that shows the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. The Polar Express – which has sold nearly 7 million copies in print and ranked #2 on the National Education Association’s Teachers Top 100 Books for Children – was selected as “Critics Choice” by the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA); won the Grammy® for Best Song Written For a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media and was honored with a Golden Globe® nomination for Best Original Song and three Academy Award® nominations including Best Original Song, Sound and Sound Editing