IndependentFilm.com

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- "The Dude" is back! "The Big Lebowski," the zany existential comedy from Academy Award(R) winners Joel and Ethan Coen ("O Brother Where Art Thou?," "Intolerable Cruelty") returns in a Collector's Edition DVD and "Achievers Edition" gift set October 18, 2005. The Coens' follow-up to their Oscar(R)-winning film "Fargo," "The Big Lebowski" is a whacked out film noir about life, death, bowling and slacking off. Jeff Bridges stars as the unforgettable Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski, an unrepentant L.A. stoner who just wants someone to pay for his stained rug. Bridges is joined by a spectacular ensemble cast including John Goodman ("Monsters Inc.," "Roseanne"), Julianne Moore ("Hannibal," "The Hours"), John Turturro ("Anger Management," "Mr. Deeds"), Steve Buscemi ("Fargo," "Reservoir Dogs"), Philip Seymour Hoffman ("Magnolia," "Cold Mountain"), Tara Reid ("American Pie," "Van Wilder"), Sam Elliot ("The Hulk," "Mask") and many more.

Since its theatrical release in 1998, consumer appreciation for "The Big Lebowski's" subtly subversive humor has snowballed, transforming it from a cult favorite into a cultural phenomenon. "The Big Lebowski's" faithful followers have created dozens of Web sites devoted to the film, and every year flocks of fans attend "Lebowski Fests" in cities across the U.S. to bowl, sip White Russians and, of course, enjoy their favorite film. The October 18, 2005 release of "The Big Lebowski: Collector's Edition DVD" will offer the uninitiated a chance to find out why this film has made its mark on popular culture. The disc is priced at $19.98 SRP. "The Big Lebowski: Collector's Edition DVD" is also available in "Achiever's Edition" gift set ($49.98 SRP) featuring eight exclusive Jeff Bridges' photographs taken from the set, a bowling towel and coasters. The pre-order deadline for both editions is September 13, 2005.

BONUS FEATURES THAT WILL BOWL YOU OVER

Fans of "The Dude" will be bowled over by the DVD's bonus features including:

* An introduction to the film by Mortimer Young -- Produced and directed
by the Coen Brothers.

* Jeff Bridges' On-Set Photos -- A brilliant photographer, Jeff Bridges
captures life on the set of "The Big Lebowski."

* The Making of "The Big Lebowski" -- Fans will get an inside glimpse
into the making of this timeless favorite.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi Universal.

Source: Universal Studios Home Entertainment