HEAVEN CENT
WARNER BROS The iconic studio turns 100 this year – here’s how it’s celebrating.
On 4 April 1923 brothers Albert, Sam, Harry and Jack Warner founded Warner Bros. A major player from its earliest years when it pioneered the use of synchronised sound and later released the first talkie, WB has put out over 12,500 feature films in a century of operation, has won numerous Academy Awards for its pictures, and remains one of the Big Five studios to this day. Though the centenary is still a month away, here’s what’s happening across the year to mark the milestone occasion.
CLASSIC CINEMA RERELEASES
Several of Warner Bros’ biggest hits are returning to their natural environment – the cinema – in newly remastered fashion, including Superman: The Movie on 7 April, The Exorcist (which also celebrates its 50th anniversary this year) on 29 September, and Elf, which will get an IMAX upgrade, on 4 November. Never seen these timeless classics on the big screen before? Now’s your chance!
BRAND-NEW DOCUMENTARY
A spanking new three-part documentary detailing the studio’s first 100 years has been commissioned and will release this year on HBO Max (where available, a ‘selected partner’ will release in the UK). There will also be a year-long focus on Warner Bros films on TCM, and projects to identify and recruit future filmmakers.
LIVE EVENTS
A year of in-person experiences kicks off with The Batman in Concert on 18 March at the Eventim Apollo, followed by a ‘multi-sensory’ Candlelight Concert series taking place in 100 cities across the globe. The UK concert will be held in Southwark Cathedral on 15 April, and will feature a suite of music from the likes of Casablanca, Batman, The Lord of the Rings and A Star Is Born. WB hotels and theme parks around the world will also host new activations and special engagements celebrating the centenary.
4K BOX SETS
Many classic WB movies are heading to 4K for the first time this year. Three five-film bundles will be available, including a Classic Hollywood collection (out now), a New Hollywood collection (available 7 August), and ‘the modern blockbusters’ (out 18 September). For the shelf-space-blessed, there’ll also be a mammoth, 30-film 100 Year Studio Collection, which will include the likes of Rebel Without a Cause, Enter the Dragon, Goodfellas, The Matrix, Training Day and Mad Max: Fury Road.
FILM FESTIVALS
Across the year, the BFI will host a series of special screenings, starting with a family showing of Superman: The Movie on 2 April. At the Dublin International Film Festival last month, Room director Lenny Abrahamson presented a newly restored 4K print of Cool Hand Luke, a film which had a key influence on his career. Anyone peckish for boiled eggs?
WARNER BROS 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS ARE UNDERWAY NOW.
‘Many classic WB movies are heading to 4K for the first time’