Paramount: Additional Bonus Features Included on Upcoming Dragonslayer 4K Blu-ray Release

Paramount Home Media Distribution has provided updated information about its upcoming 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray releases of Matthew Robbins' Dragonslayer (1981), starring Peter MacNicol, Ralph Richardson, John Hallam, Peter Eyre, and Albert Salmi. The two releases will be available for purchase on March 21.

In addition to the standard 4K Blu-ray release, the studio will issue a Limited 4K Blu-ray SteelBook Edition.

An essential cinematic adventure with groundbreaking and Oscar®-nominated visual effects, Dragonslayer has been restored with exceptional picture and sound to bring the spectacular fantasy to life for a new generation. Legendary visual effects supervisor Phil Tippett (Star Wars, Jurassic Park) created the film's special effects, pioneering a new technique called "go motion" that incorporates blurring into each frame for more realistic images. Vermithrax Pejorative, the fire-breathing creature at the center of the story, was created using a combination of go motion and 16 massive dragon puppets.

Dragonslayer continues to win over fans more than 40 years after its initial release, not the least of which is Guillermo del Toro who joins director and longtime collaborator Matthew Robbins for an entertaining and illuminating new commentary.

Description: A terrible dragon is terrorizing the medieval land of Urland in the 6th century. Representatives from the kingdom seek the assistance of the wizard Ulrich (Ralph Richardson) to defeat the dragon immediately -- Urland has been delivering virgins to appease the dragon, and their princess (Chloe Salaman) has rigged the lottery system they use in order to sacrifice herself next. But when Ulrich is killed, the task to confront the dragon falls to the wizard's apprentice, Galen (Peter MacNicol).

Special Features and Technical Specs:

• NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM APPROVED BY DIRECTOR MATTHEW ROBBINS
• DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
• NEW Commentary by Director Matthew Robbins & Guillermo del Toro
• NEW The Slayer of All Dragons - Step back in time with director/co-writer Matthew Robbins, dragon supervisor Phil Tippett, and ILM's visual effects master Dennis Muren as they revisit DRAGONSLAYER. Their stories and memories take viewers deep into the dragon's fiery lair as they recount the challenging journey from concept to screen.
• NEW Welcome to Cragganmore - A look back at the impact of Star Wars and its visual effects on Hollywood, the origin of DRAGONSLAYER and its screenplay, and the film's casting.
• NEW A Long Way to Urland - Pre-production begins in England as the film takes shape. The young filmmakers seek gritty medieval realism through the production design, cinematography, and costumes.
• NEW Vermithrax Pejorative - The filmmakers take on the daunting task of bringing a dragon to life like never before, utilizing every ounce of movie magic available including Phil Tippett's breakthrough go-motion animation, cutting-edge practical animatronics, visual effects, and compositing.
• NEW Into the Lake of Fire - Production woes at every turn, horrific baby dragons, and the challenge of creating Vermithrax's iconic lair plague the filmmakers. Phil Tippett offers a mini-masterclass on crafting powerful creature performance through detailed animation.
• NEW The Final Battle - The team faces the unique challenges of the film's stage-bound climax, filmed entirely against a blue screen. Director Matthew Robbins looks back on the incredible work done in the final stages of film editing, the beautifully dense sound design, and Alex North's amazing score, which utilized pieces from his legendary unused 2001: A Space Odyssey score.
• NEW Screen Tests
• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature