Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger in Universal Pictures' Cinderella Man - 2005

Cinderella Man on DVD in December

On December 6, 2005, Universal Studios Home Entertainment will release Cinderella Man on DVD, Academy Award™-winning director Ron Howard’s true story based on the dramatic life of athlete James J. Braddock and one of best-reviewed films of the year. Currently the highest grossing drama of 2005, Cinderella Man will be available in both single-disc and Collector’s Edition boxed set versions.

The film stars Oscar®-winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator); Oscar®-winner Renee Zellweger (Cold Mountain); and Paul Giamatti (Sideways). Oscar®-winning producer Brian Grazer (A Beautiful Mind) produced with Ron Howard; the screenplay is written by Cliff Hollingsworth and Oscar®-winner Akiva Goldsman (A Beautiful Mind).

The film also stars Craig Bierko (The Long Kiss Goodnight) as the seemingly invincible champ Max Baer, and Bruce McGill (Collateral) as hardball fight-promoter Jimmy Johnston.

A story about second chances and one man’s desperate struggle to keep his family together during the Great Depression, Jim Braddock was, as Howard says, “not so much a great boxer as he was a great man.” Braddock’s commitment to his family and selfless goal to keep them together during times of crisis, inspired a nation at a time when the country was searching for hope.

The Cinderella Man DVD provides insight into the life and times of Jim Braddock and Ron Howard’s filmmaking journey in bringing his affecting story to the screen. The Collector’s Edition is highlighted by a Russell Crowe’s personal video diary about his experiences in portraying Braddock and rare footage from the historic 1935 match between Braddock and Baer.