Avatar Iconic – Record-breaking Sales in US/Canada, France; UK Certain to Follow Suit

The first DVD and Blu-Ray disk sales of James Cameron's 3D film Avatar were in the US, hitting the shelves and internet last Thursday. In less than 4 days, more than 2.7 million Blu-Ray disks were sold, eclipsing the former record-holder, Dark Knight, which took nearly 18 months to sell 600,000 disks. Sales of the DVD and Blu-Ray together for the US and Canada exceeded 6.7 million units. Deadline: Hollywood has a much more day-by-day analysis of the early sales statistics. 

This event was seen by many critics of 3D home theatre as a bellwether indicator. Poor acceptance by the public could be construed as a harbinger of doom. The massive acceptance of this 2D version of the film should quell the natter of the naysayers. It is available in UK formats, including anamorphic (4:3), PAL, Colour and 16:9 Widescreen. Whilst this is a 2-disk release, it is completely no-frills. If anything, the lack of the usual plethora of Blu-Ray and DVD content, is a little disappointing. No doubt, with the full-blown 3D release, there will likely be a third or even a fourth disk with the commentary, out-takes, cutting room floor edits, or – one can only hope – a “director's cut” version.

This film is already in the classic iconic film category – if for no other reason than its prodigious performance at theatres and record-eclipsing disk sales. With deeper saturation of 3D tellies and 3D Blu-Ray technology, be assured that Avatar will be re-released as a Special Edition and further spur the acceptance of the medium.

Although technically 2D, many tellies and DVD/Blu-Ray players made this year have a “virtual 3D” mode that doesn't require the glasses yet conveys a sense of the 3D nature of the film. If nothing else, this will surely whet the appetite of the public clambering for 3D material.

Avatar is on sale in many locations, however amazon.co.uk has it offered for £15 – marked 56% off the £35 suggested retail price. This price includes both the Blu-Ray and DVD disks. The DVD alone is priced at £8, marked down from £25.

The Special Edition is due for release later this year, the 3D version in 2011, which allows you to watch on your 3D TV, like the new Samsung UE40C7000. Of note: this single release may do more for the fledgling industry of Blu-Ray players than all other previously released films combined.