Buena Vista Television has inked a five-year deal with MGM Home Entertainment for exclusive DVD distribution of 66 classic films including Prizzi's Honor, Notorious, The Flamingo Kid, Rebecca and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Most of the films were previously released on DVD through Anchor Bay Entertainment, the former distributor for Buena Vista TV. With that deal ending, Buena Vista approached MGM about distributing the titles. Buena Vista Home Entertainment typically releases videos for movies from Disney and its various movie arms.

MGM will begin releasing the films on DVD in late 2003. The first nine movies slated include Prizzi's Honor, Duel in the Sun, Straw Dogs and Silkwood. The rest of the films will be released on video by the end of 2004, Bishop said.

MGM plans to create new extras for the DVDs and add its own touch to separate the new product from the versions already on the market. Bishop said he's not too concerned about competing with product already in release. "We don't think it makes a meaningful difference because new people are entering the marketplace all the time," he said. "Secondly, we feel we're very good at exploiting library product."