Casino Royale Breaks New Records

Casino Royale has sold a staggering 1,622,852 units in its first week of release (from 19th March), making it the most successful selling DVD for first week sales, in the UK, ever.

It is not only the DVD that has broken records, this home entertainment release has been a huge boost for the new high-definition Blu-ray Disc format with 9,456 units being sold in week one - confirming a demand for High Definition content among UK consumers.

Andy Armstrong, managing director, SPHE, UK said: “We are delighted that the latest installment of this quintessentially British and hugely successful franchise has hit the top of the charts by breaking the record for week one DVD sales. This, as well as the title smashing box-office records, is testament to how the Bond brand has been invigorated with Daniel Craig as the new 007”.

Casino Royale, the 21st James Bond adventure in the most successful franchise in film history, stars Daniel Craig in his debut as 007, and is based on Ian Fleming’s first novel to feature the ultimate secret agent, which was published in 1953.

Casino Royale traces the early career of James Bond. His first “007” mission leads him to Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), banker to the world’s terrorists. In order to stop him, and bring down the terrorist network, Bond must beat Le Chiffre in a high-stakes poker game at Casino Royale.

Bond is initially annoyed when a beautiful Treasury official, Vesper Lynd (Eva Green), is assigned to deliver his stake for the game and watch over the government's money. But, as Bond and Vesper survive a series of lethal attacks by Le Chiffre and his henchmen, a mutual attraction develops leading them both into further danger and events that will shape Bond’s life forever.