Ladder 49: Touchstone Home Entertainment presents the gripping, action-drama Ladder 49, available on DVD and VHS March 8, 2005. Starring Academy Award® nominees Joaquin Phoenix ("The Village"; nominated Best Supporting Actor "Gladiator" 2000) and John Travolta ("The Punisher," nominated Best Actor "Pulp Fiction" 1994), LADDER 49 is an incredible story about extraordinary heroes emerging out of ordinary lives, and about what happens when a courageous unit of firefighters is faced with saving one of their own. Filled with true to life fire rescue scenes, LADDER 49 is a thrilling account of a hero-in-the-making, and a tribute to the everyday sacrifices of firefighters.

DVD bonus materials for LADDER 49 include: deleted scenes; "Everyday Heroes" featuring real stories from real firefighters; a "The Making of Ladder 49" featurette; "Shine Your Light" music video performed by Robbie Robertson; and audio commentary from Director Jay Russell and Editor Bud Smith. This DVD also features the Enhanced Home Theater Mix, a dynamic audio-sensory experience, designed specifically for your home theater system.

LADDER 49's supporting cast includes Robert Patrick (TV's "The X-Files"), Morris Chestnut ("Half Past Dead," "The Best Man"), and talented newcomer Jacinda Barrett ("Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason"). Written by Lewis Colick ("October Sky"). Directed by Jay Russell ("My Dog Skip"). Available for $29.99 (S.R.P.) on DVD and $24.99 (S.R.P.) for VHS.

LADDER 49 is a gripping action drama that celebrates the ordinary men who put everything on the line to become heroes. Baltimore firefighter Jack Morrison (Joaquin Phoenix) grows from inexperienced rookie to seasoned veteran as he copes with a risky, dangerous job that often shortchanges his wife (Jacinda Barrett) and kids. He relies on the support of his second family -- Captain Mike Kennedy (John Travolta) and the men of the firehouse. When Jack becomes trapped in the worst blaze of his career, the firefighters of Ladder 49 learn that the greatest fight they face will be saving one of their own.

On DVD, LADDER 49 includes the bonus features:

* Enhanced Home Theater Mix
* Deleted scenes
* "Everyday Heroes" - featuring real stores from real firefighters
* "The Making of Ladder 49" featurette
* "Shine Your Light" music video performed by Robbie Robertson
* Audio commentary from Director Jay Russell and Editor Bud Smith

STREET DATE: MARCH 8, 2005

Direct prebook: January 11, 2005

Distributor prebook: January 25, 2005

Suggested Retail Price: DVD $29.99 / VHS $24.99

Rated: "PG 13" For Intense Fire And Rescue
Situations, And For Language.
Bonus features unrated and subject to
change.

Feature Run Time: Approximately 115 minutes

Aspect Ratio: Widescreen 1.85:1 enhanced for 16x9
screens and available separately
1.33:1 formatted for 4x3 screens

Sound: Dolby(R) Digital 5.1 Surround Sound,
THX Certified

Languages: French Audio
French subtitles, Spanish subtitles

Ladder 49 was released October 1st, 2004 and stars Joaquin Phoenix, John Travolta, Jacinda Barrett, Robert Patrick, Morris Chestnut, Billy Burke, Balthazar Getty, Tim Guinee. The film is directed by Jay Russell.