Mpelembe :: One of the 2005 best pictures

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Two-time Oscar(R) nominee Ralph Fiennes ("The English Patient," "Schindler's List") and 2005 Golden Globe(R) nominee Rachel Weisz ("About a Boy," "The Mummy") star in "The Constant Gardener," a gripping tale of conspiracy, suspense and intrigue, coming to DVD January 10, 2006 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. One of the year's most critically acclaimed films which received Golden Globe(R) nominations for Best Motion Picture -- Drama, Best Director -- Motion Picture (Fernando Meirelles) and Best Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture (Weisz), "The Constant Gardener" is an electrifying, edge-of-your seat thriller -- equal parts murder, mystery and romance. Directed by Academy Award(R) nominee Meirelles ("City of God") and adapted by screenwriter Jeffrey Caine ("Goldeneye") from John le Carre's best-selling novel, "The Constant Gardner" races from cosmopolitan London to rural Africa, delivering action and suspense along the way. The DVD is priced at $29.98 SRP. Preorder close is December 6, 2005.

Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes), a timid career diplomat, is galvanized into action by the brutal murder of his activist wife, Tessa (Rachel Weisz). As Justin clings to his memories of their passionate romance and struggles, he discovers a global conspiracy that threatens to destroy thousands of innocent lives -- and his own.

Critics have hailed "The Constant Gardener." Peter Travers from Rolling Stone calls it "one of the year's best pictures!" and Claudia Puig from USA Today says the film is "Riveting! A taut and gripping thriller."

IN-DEPTH BONUS FEATURES

The Constant Gardener DVD includes an array of exciting extras that take audiences behind the scenes of this critically celebrated romantic thriller.

* Deleted and Extended Scenes!!

* Anatomy of a Global Thriller: Behind the Scenes of "The Constant

Gardener" -- Exclusive interviews and footage document the making of a

classic mystery-thriller.

* Embracing Africa: Filming in Kenya -- Making an ambitious film in

Africa poses unique challenges and rewards to cast and crew alike.

Director Fernando Meirelles and stars Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz

take viewers to exotic locations across Kenya to reveal their personal

experiences.

* John le Carre: From the Page to the Screen -- Acclaimed novelist John

le Carre sits down with director Fernando Meirelles to talk about the

complicated journey that took this highly praised novel from the page

to the big screen.

SYNOPSIS

Academy Award(R) nominee Ralph Fiennes ("The English Patient") and Rachel Weisz ("The Mummy") give electrifying performances in this gripping romantic thriller from the director of "City of God." A diplomat on the hunt for his wife's murderer uncovers a treacherous conspiracy that will destroy thousands of innocent people -- unless he can reveal its sinister roots. From the bestselling novel by John le Carre comes this edge-of-your-seat story of murder, romance and revenge that critics are calling "a hair-raising thriller with an unforgettable finale" (Karen Durbin, "Elle").

For more information please visit: www.theconstantgardener.com.

CAST & FILMMAKERS

Director: Fernando Meirelles

Written By: Jeffrey Caine, based upon the novel by John le Carre

Produced By: Simon Channing Williams

Executive Producers: Gail Egan, Robert Jones, Donald Ranvaud,

Jeff Abberley, Julia Blackman

Co-Producers: Henning Molfenter, Thierry Potok

Director of Photography: Cesar Charlone

Production Designer: Mark Tildesey

Edited By: Claire Simpson

Costume Designer: Odile Dicks-Mireaux

Original Music By: Alberto Iglesias

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Danny Huston, Bill Nighy,

Pete Postlethwaite

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

DVD

Street Date: Janauary 10, 2006

Pre-Order Close: December 6, 2005

Price: $29.98 SRP

Selection Number: 26292 (Widescreen); 26293 (Full Frame)

Running Time: 2 Hours 9 Minutes

Layers: Dual

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Anamorphic Widescreen); 1.33:1 (Full Frame)

Rating: R (Language, Some Violent Images and Sexual Content/Nudity)

Technical Info: English and French Dolby Digital 5.1; English SDH; French

and Spanish Subtitles

For artwork or screeners, please log on to our Web site at www.ushepublicity.com or fax your request to Universal Studios Home Entertainment Publicity at (818) 866-0226.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and Entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

CONTACTS

Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Vivian Mayer

Senior Vice President, Publicity

(818) 777-3594

Lea Porteneuve

Vice President, Publicity

(818) 777-1391

Craig Radow

Senior Manager, Publicity

(818) 777-4572

www.theconstantgardener.com SOURCE Universal Studios Home Entertainment

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