Yahoo News Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ to Commemorate Its 40th Anniversary With 4K UHD Release
“The Beautiful Ones” are about to look more beautiful than ever.
On June 25, Warner Home Video will commemorate the 40th anniversary of Prince’s “Purple Rain” with a rerelease of the breakthrough film on 4K UHD and digital platforms. In addition to upgraded picture and sound, the release will be accompanied by legacy bonus content including eight music videos.
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'Purple Rain' 4K UHD
Co-written and directed by Albert Magnoli, “Purple Rain” was released on July 27, 1984. Loosely inspired by Prince’s own life, the film earned more than $70 million worldwide, earned an Academy Award for best original song score and immediately catapulted the then 26-year-old artist to superstardom. It co-starred Apollonia Kotero as the protégé and love interest on Prince’s character, The Kid, as well as members of his band the Revolution and additional artists for which Prince had written or produced songs such as The Time. Its soundtrack, featuring the songs “Let’s Go Crazy,” “When Doves Cry” and “I Would Die 4 U” in addition to the epic title track, has since sold more than 25 million copies.
A then-recent graduate of the USC School of Cinema-Television, Magnoli was hired to direct “Purple Rain” after his student film “Jazz” attracted the attention of Warner Bros. execs. His close collaboration with Prince during the production of the film led to Magnoli becoming Prince’s manager for much of the 1980s; he later shepherded him through the recording of songs for Tim Burton’s 1989 comic book adaptation “Batman” after Warner Bros. asked the artist to create its score. Magnoli’s suggestion to have regular Burton collaborator Danny Elfman compose the score helped create the trend of creating soundtracks “inspired by” the movie they were accompanying.
The “Purple Rain” 4K UHD Disc includes the following previously released special features:
Commentary by director Albert Magnoli, producer Robert Cavallo and cinematographer Donald E. Thorin
First Avenue: The Road to Pop Royalty — featurette
Let’s Go Crazy — music video
Take Me with U — music video
When Doves Cry — Music Video
I Would Die 4 U/Baby I’m a Star — music video
Purple Rain — music video
Jungle Love — music video
The Bird — music video
Sex Shooter — music video
Not included in the new release are a handful of previously-existing bonus materials, including the making-of documentary “Purple Rain: Backstage Pass” and the 1984 MTV Premiere Party for the film.
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