Frost/Nixon: The Original Watergate Interviews come to DVD

Posted with the permission of Vivendi Entertainment.

Liberation Entertainment and Vivendi Entertainment Canada have concluded a deal with Sir David FrostDavid Frost and his production company, David Paradine Television Inc, to secure the distribution rights to the entire broadcast footage of the historical Frost Nixon TV interviews from 1977. These interviews drew the largest audience ever for a news interview in the history of television.

The filming of the Frost/Nixon interview occurred over four weeks in 1977. Never before, nor since, has a U.S. President been so candid on camera. Even more intriguing is the fact that Nixon agreed to appear on camera with no pre-interview preparation or screening of questions.

“Working directly with Sir David Frost on this historical archive is incredibly rewarding and exciting,” said Liberation’s SVP/GM Sig Sigworth “particularly given the current political climate in America.”

The first installment of this project, scheduled for December 2, 2008, will be the Watergate interview DVD. The original broadcast of this Watergate segment was watched by more than 45 million Americans when it was broadcast in May 1977.

An additional DVD release will likely be a deluxe version of the Frost Nixon interviews with highlights from the complete 28 hours, tentatively scheduled for release in early 2009.

“Every time I see the Nixon interview on Watergate again, I find I feel the same sense of drama I felt at the time. It is exciting that viewers today seem to have the same reaction.” said Sir David Frost.

The Frost/Nixon phenomenon is set to hit North America this December with the release of the Ron HowardRon Howard/Universal Pictures movie based on the dramatic events surrounding this landmark interview. This film project is based on the Tony Award winning play, “Frost/Nixon,” which made its debut on Broadway last March. The two lead actors in the play - Michael Sheen as Frost (Tony BlairTony Blair in the movie “the Queen”) and veteran actor Frank LangellaFrank Langella as Nixon (a role which won him a Tony) – will be reprising their roles in the film. Other actors in the motion picture, written by screenwriter Peter MorganPeter Morgan (nominated for an Oscar for “The Queen”), include Kevin BaconKevin Bacon and Sam Rockwell.

About Liberation Entertainment

Launched in 2006 by influential media entrepreneur Jay Boberg, with the financial backing of media and communications private-equity firm Clarity Partners LP, Liberation Entertainment is an independently held visual content company that specializes in the production of, and worldwide sales & distribution of, feature films and television. The company, which operates out of offices in Los Angeles and London, offers over 300 film titles & 2500 hours of television in its international sales catalogue.

About Vivendi Entertainment Canada (VEC)

Vivendi Entertainment Canada, a division of Universal Music Canada, provides producers and independent studios the full array of distribution services. Vivendi Entertainment Canada represents a vast range of genres including action, comedy, drama, anime, family, TV on DVD, documentary, fitness and sports. Vivendi has been a favourite choice of independent content providers. Vivendi has built an extensive catalogue of over 2,000 titles and its customer-centric business model was founded on the principles of collaboration and financial transparency.