Donnie Brasco: Extended Cut DVD to Be Released May 8

From director Mike Newell, who went on to direct Harry Potter & The Goblet Of Fire, comes the gangster classic Donnie Brasco: Extended Cut, starring Al Pacino and Johnny Depp. Ten years after its theatrical release, Donnie Brasco returns in an all-new extended cut edition with 20 minutes of never-before-seen footage added back into the film. Donnie Brasco: Extended Cut will debut on DVD May 8, 2007 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for the SRP of $19.94. Digitally re-mastered for the best possible quality picture and sound, Donnie Brasco: Extended Cut will feature original DVD bonus materials including Director Commentary and an exclusive featurette: "Donnie Brasco: Out from the Shadows." Originally released theatrically in 1997, the film opened to critical acclaim, went on to gross over $41 million at the box office and was nominated for numerous awards, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium for Paul Attanasio.

Posing as jewel broker Donnie Brasco, FBI agent Joseph D. Pistone (Johnny Depp) is granted entrance into the violent mob family of aging hit man Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino). When his personal and professional lives collide, Pistone jeopardizes his marriage, his job life and, ultimately, the gangster/mentor he has come to respect and admire. All of which is more compelling because Donnie Brasco is a true life tale adapted from Joe Pistone's novel, Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia.

To prepare for his role as Donnie Brasco, Johnny Depp met with the real life Joe Pistone several times. This proved to be a challenge as Pistone has been in witness protection ever since his undercover identity was discovered, and a contract was put on his life by the mob. In interviews, Pistone is often seen wearing dark glasses, with facial hair and various other means of disguise.

Donnie Brasco spawned a small screen version called Falcone, starring Jason Gedrick as Falcone. Falcone was supposed to tell Pistone's story of six years working undercover as a mobster for the F.B.I. While critically acclaimed and Emmy nominated, the series lasted just nine episodes. Falcone is currently unavailable on DVD.

The cast of Donnie Brasco includes Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen, Bruno Kirby, James Russo and Anne Heche. Donnie Brasco: Extended Cut is unrated and has a run time of 147 minutes (original 1997 theatrical release was 127 minutes).

DVD Bonus Material

· Director Commentary

· Exclusive featurette: "Donnie Brasco: Out from the Shadows"