The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning

By Cyril Pearl -- Video Business, 3/5/2007

The first release from Warner Premiere, Warner's new direct-to-DVD production arm, this prequel to 2005's Dukes of Hazzard theatrical feature is strappingly budgeted at approximately $5 million and stars the videogenic trio of Randy Wayne (TV's Sons and Daughters) as Luke, Jonathan Bennett (Mean Girls) as Bo and former Deal or No Deal model April Scott as Daisy. The Beginning turns back the calendar to the formative teenage years of Hazzard County's most popular trio of cousins, who come of age under the watchful eye of their Uncle Jesse (Willie Nelson, the only star to return from the theatrical feature) and the evil glare of local politico Boss Hogg (Christopher McDonald). The cousins' misadventures reveal the origins of their famed '69 Dodge Charger, the General Lee; the transformation of Daisy into Hazzard County's fantasy girl; and the boys' plunge into the moonshine-running business. The new Dukes is a sexy, spirited and fairly fun ride, and though the film's NR/R rating gives it an opportunity to take on more of a Porky's tone than the feature film or TV series, Beginning is as tasteful—and tasty!—a title as you're likely to encounter in the DVD premiere sequel arena.

Shelf Talk: Direct-to-disc titles generated some $1.3 billion in revenue in the U.S. last year and show no signs of slowing down. Given the success of the 2005 Dukes feature on disc (5 million copies sold), it's no surprise that Warner is attempting to do the same kind of franchise-building with Dukes that Universal has successfully engineered with its American Pie and Bring It On series. Warner is getting behind Beginning with a big marketing push, which includes the March 4 premiere of a watered-down version on ABC Family and retailer standees that will hold the new title, the original Dukes feature and seasons one through six of the TV series.