Cinema: 5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Warner.
Hollywood giant, Warner Bros. Pictures celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2023. On the occasion of this centenary, we invite you to look back at the history of this legendary studio and discover 5 things you probably didn't know about Warner.
She was founded by four brothers.
The American company Warner Bros. Pictures was founded in 1923 by four brothers. By founding one of the most legendary studios in Hollywood, Harry Warner, Albert Warner, Sam Warner, and Jack L. Warner revolutionized the history of cinema, just as the Lumière brothers had done in France before them!
2- She produced the first sound and talking film.
It was in October 1927 that Warner made its first big move by producing the first sound and talking film in the history of cinema. The Jazz Singer was released in theaters and after this film, nothing would be the same again in cinema!
With this revolutionary innovation, the Warner brothers Harry, Albert, Sam and Jack have forever transformed our conception of a cinema session. The phenomenal success of this talking and singing film saved their young company from bankruptcy.
3- His films have marked the history of cinema.
After this first feat, Warner did not rest on its laurels. The studio, which celebrates its centenary this year, is responsible for mythical films that have left a lasting mark on the minds and history of cinema.
In 1943, the film Casablanca with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman triumphed at the box office and at the Oscars by winning the award for Best Picture and Best Director.
The American major also produced numerous westerns, including one of the most famous, Rio Bravo, with Howard Hawks and John Wayne in 1959.
Throughout its history, Warner Bros. Pictures has excelled in numerous genres:
• science fiction with cult films such as Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey (released in 1968), Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, and Christopher Nolan's Inception
• horror with one of the greatest classics of the genre, The Exorcist, initially released in 1973
• action movies and the fantasy genre with stories of superheroes from the DC Comics universe
4- His biggest commercial successes are franchises.
It is among franchises such as DC Comics, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings that Warner's biggest commercial successes can be found.
In the top 20 most profitable feature films of the studio, it is no surprise to find superhero movies and the various installments of the Harry Potter saga and its spinoff, Fantastic Beasts...
To this day, the most profitable film in the history of Warner Bros. Pictures is the very last installment of Harry, Ron, and Hermione's adventures: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2). According to estimates dating back to 2022, this film has grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide at the box office.
5- She celebrates her centenary all year long.
To properly celebrate its centenary, Warner has decided to re-release in cinemas a selection of 11 films that have marked its history.
Since June 7th, 2023, French cinephiles can rediscover on the big screen a dozen masterpieces highlighted as part of the Warner Bros 100 event. This retrospective includes films such as Casablanca, Rio Bravo, Blade Runner, Goodfellas, and Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino!
In addition to celebrating its anniversary in theaters, Warner Bros will release for the occasion a 4K ultra HD Blu-Ray box set that should delight collectors.
This anniversary box set, called the Studio Collection, pays tribute to three great eras of the studio:
• Classic Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1960s
• New Hollywood from the 1970s to the 1980s
• Modern blockbusters from the 1990s to today.
This carefully designed box set will also offer goodies to fans of Warner Bros. Pictures.
