HBO has officially announced the Blu-ray release of director Steven Soderbergh's Behind the Candelabra, starring Michael Douglas, Matt Damon, Dan Aykroyd, Scott Bakula, Rob Lowe, Tom Papa, Paul Reiser and Debbie Reynolds. The glittery and outrageous biopic is based on the tell-all memoir "Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace," and arrives on September 17th.
Synopsis: Before Elvis, before Elton John, Madonna and Lady Gaga, there was Liberace (Douglas): virtuoso pianist, dazzling entertainer and flamboyant star of stage and television. A name synonymous with showmanship, extravagance and candelabras, he was a world-renowned performer with a flair that endeared him to his audiences and created a loyal fan base spanning his 40-year career. Liberace lived lavishly and embraced a lifestyle of excess both on and off stage. In summer 1977, handsome young stranger Scott Thorson (Damon) walked into his dressing room and, despite their age difference and seemingly different worlds, the two embarked on a secretive five-year love affair.
During its premiere, the film became one of HBO's most watched original films in nearly 10 years. Behind the Candelabra captures the essence of Liberace's appeal, while reminding viewers how different attitudes were at the time, as he and his management fiercely protected his public persona. Special features include:
The Making of Behind the Candelabra: Exploring the legacy of Liberace through costumes, sets, locations and prosthetics with several members of the cast and crew, including Douglas and Damon