Midway (1976) To Make Blu-ray Debut This Summer

Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced the Blu-ray release of the World War II drama Midway this summer. The classic film is directed by Jack Smight and is based on screenplay by Donald S. Sanford. The war drama features an all-star cast that includes Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, James Coburn, Glen Ford, Hal Holbrook, Robert Mitchum, Cliff Robertson, Robert Wagner, and Toshirô Mifune. Midway will be available online and in stores beginning on June 4th.

The summer of 1942 brought a Naval stalemate to the Pacific as the American and Japanese fleets stood at even numbers, each waiting for the other to begin a renewed offensive. Midway tells the story of this historic June battle where a Japanese carrier force, in an attempt to occupy Midway island and lure the American fleet to destruction, was met valiantly by U.S. forces operating off of three aircraft carriers and numerous escort ships. Not only was it the first battle in which naval air power was extensively used, the Japanese Carrier force had been completely destroyed at its conclusion, which paved the way for the U.S. 1943 and 1944 offensives and eventually the close of the Pacific Theater of the war.

Midway was released in June of 1976 during the height of the United States’ bi-centennial. The film grossed over $43 million at the box office.

Universal has yet to detail all the technical specs for the Blu-ray release. However, the Blu-ray will include several special features, including: The Making of Midway featurette; The Score of Midway featurette; Sensurround: The Sounds of Midway featurette; scenes shot for the television version of the film; They Were Here featurette, hosted by Charlton Heston; a photograph montage; and My Scenes Bookmarking option.