The BFI announces today the introduction of 'Dual Format Editions', in which both the DVD and Blu-ray versions of selected releases – main features and extras alike – will sit side-by-side in a competitively-priced single package.

Dual Format Editions launch on 26 April, at RRP £19.99, with two classics from the master of Japanese cinema, Yasujiro Ozu: Tokyo Story/Tôkyô monogatari (1953) and Early Summer/Bakushû (1951). Over the next 12 months a total of 25 releases will be packaged in this way.

Sam Dunn, Head of BFI Video Publishing, comments:

'The idea behind Dual Format Editions is to provide film lovers with the ultimate win-win solution in a time of financial uncertainty and technological confusion. Not only does the price mean that the BFI's quality Blu-rays are instantly more affordable, but the inclusion of both DVD and Blu-ray in a single package means that the DVD buyer is safeguarded against upgrades they may make in the future at no extra cost.

Existing Blu-ray customers will benefit both from the lower price and from the inclusion of a DVD, which offers greater flexibility for viewing away from the home cinema environment.

Other titles lined up for the BFI Dual Format treatment this year are the Quay Brothers' exquisite Institute Benjamenta (1995); Tony Garnett's controversial Prostitute (1980); celebrated James Bond director Guy Hamilton's long-lost The Party's Over (1965) starring Oliver Reed; Gerry O'Hara's swinging The Pleasure Girls (1965) starring Ian McShane and Klaus Kinski; a collection of acclaimed Hollywood director Tony Scott's early films, including Loving Memory (1970); and Mike Sarne's colourful Swinging Sixties masterpiece Joanna (1968).

Over the past 18 months the BFI has embraced the Blu-ray format and built a unique and exciting catalogue of High Definition releases. Providing a platform for both critically acclaimed and little-known films, the BFI Blu-ray range not only includes classics such as Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, Red Desert and Salò, but also showcases lesser-known, but equally arresting, works by unduly neglected filmmakers like Jeff Keen, Bill Douglas and Jane Arden.

Looking ahead, the BFI will continue to present a rich and diverse selection of works on Blu-ray in order to provide viewers with the opportunity to experience and engage with film like never before.

UPDATE: The dual format release of both Tokyo Story and Early Summer has been put back to 19th July 2009. We can confirm that the following titles are set for release from the BFI on 17th May 2010:

Institute Benjamenta (Brothers Quay, 1995) – Dual Format Edition
The Party's Over (Guy Hamilton, 1963) – BFI Flipside Dual Format Edition
The Pleasure Girls (Gerry O'Hara, 1965) – BFI Flipside Dual Format Edition
Privilege (Peter Watkins, 1967) – BFI Flipside Blu-ray
Kim Newman's Guide to the Flipside of British Cinema (retail-wide) – DVD