*batteries not included (Csoda a 8. utcában) | Spielberg Family Fantasy Film on DVD 

Made in Hungary  

Region 2 PAL DVD

Product Information

• UPC: 5996217460421 
• Product Type: DVD Film (Family/Fantasy) 
• Audio Language: English 5.1 
• Subtitles: Hungarian, English (for hearing impaired), Arabic, Czech, Greek, Turkish, Romanian 
• Running Time: Approximately 102 minutes 
• Format: PAL, Anamorphic (1.85:1) 
• Audio: Dolby Digital 
• Distributor: UIP-DunaFilm 
• Product Code: 6077006

Overview

"*batteries not included" (Hungarian title: "Csoda a 8. utcában") is a charming fantasy film presented by Steven Spielberg and produced by Amblin Entertainment. Set in New York's Lower East Side, the story follows a group of impoverished tenants facing the demolition of their apartment building by ruthless developers. With determination as their only resource, their struggle takes an unexpected turn when miniature extraterrestrial spacecraft arrive to help them save their homes. These mechanical visitors, appearing as flying saucer-like robots with remarkable abilities, form bonds with the residents and aid them in their fight against the developers. At the heart of the story are elderly couple Frank and Faye Riley (portrayed by the acclaimed husband-and-wife acting team Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy), whose unwavering faith is rewarded in the most unexpected way. Filled with dazzling special effects created by Industrial Light & Magic, heartwarming moments, and gentle humor, this intergalactic tale of friendship and courage celebrates the power of community and the magic that can happen when help arrives from the most unexpected places.

Product Features

• Format: DVD, Anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1)
• Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital
• Subtitles: Multiple language options
• Special Features: Trailers
• Copy Protected: Macrovision
• Running time: Approximately 102 minutes

Interesting Facts

Spielberg's Touch Without Directing While Steven Spielberg didn't direct "*batteries not included," his creative influence is evident throughout the film as executive producer. The project originated as an episode for Spielberg's "Amazing Stories" television series but was expanded into a full-length feature when Spielberg recognized its potential. The film shares many thematic elements with Spielberg's other works, including "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" and "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," focusing on the wonder of extraterrestrial contact and the emotional connections formed between humans and otherworldly beings.

Groundbreaking Special Effects The film's charming mechanical aliens, nicknamed "The Fix-Its," were brought to life through a combination of practical effects and early CGI work by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), George Lucas's visual effects company. The sophisticated puppetry and animation required to make the small spacecraft move realistically and express emotions without faces was cutting-edge for 1987. These effects helped establish new techniques that would influence family fantasy films for years to come.

Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn's Real-Life Chemistry One of the film's greatest strengths is the authentic relationship portrayed by Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn, who had been married for nearly 50 years when they made this movie. Their real-life partnership brings genuine warmth and believability to their characters, Frank and Faye Riley. Tandy, who was 78 when the film was released, would go on to win an Academy Award two years later for "Driving Miss Daisy," becoming the oldest actress ever to win the Best Actress Oscar at that time.

Urban Renewal Commentary Beyond its fantasy elements, the film offers thoughtful social commentary on gentrification and urban renewal in 1980s New York City. The story addresses issues of community displacement, the value of historic buildings versus new development, and the struggles of elderly and low-income residents to maintain their homes in changing neighborhoods. These themes remain relevant decades after the film's release, making it both an entertaining fantasy and a poignant reflection on urban social issues.

Brad Bird's Early Career Connection Before becoming the acclaimed director of animated classics like "The Incredibles" and "Ratatouille," Brad Bird contributed to the screenplay of "*batteries not included." This early career work showcases Bird's interest in stories that blend technology with human emotion and family dynamics, themes that would become hallmarks of his later directorial efforts. The film represents an important stepping stone in Bird's development as a storyteller in the realm of family entertainment.

Cast and Crew

• Director: Matthew Robbins
• Executive Producers: Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall
• Producer: Ronald L. Schwary
• Screenplay: Brad Bird, Brent Maddock, S.S. Wilson, Mick Garris
• Starring: Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy
• Music: James Horner
• Special Effects: Industrial Light & Magic

Publishers

Distributed in Hungary by UIP-DunaFilm (1021 Budapest, Hűvösvölgyi út 54. Tel/Fax: 06-1-394-0007). A Universal Studios and Amblin Entertainment production. © 1987 Universal Studios and Amblin Productions, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Hashtags

English:

#BatteriesNotIncluded #SpielbergClassic #FamilyFantasy #HumeCronyn #JessicaTandy #AmblinEntertainment #80sFantasyFilm #AlienRobotMovie #ILMEffects #UFOHelpers

Hungarian (Címkék):

#CsodaA8Utcában #SpielbergKlasszikus #CsaládiFantasy #HumeCronyn #JessicaTandy #AmblinSzórakoztatás #80asÉvekFantasy #ŰrlényRobotFilm #ILMEffektek #UFOSegítők