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An extraordinary cast assembles for the big screen version of Neil Gaiman's Stardust, out in February on DVD.

Stardust, based on the best-selling 1988 novel by Neil Gaiman (DC Comics' The Sandman, Neverwhere) - with illustrations by Charles Vess) takes audiences on an adventure that begins in a village in England and ends up in places that exist in an imaginary world.

A young man named Tristan - played by Charlie Cox tries to win the heart of Victoria - Sienna Miller (Factory Girl), the beautiful but cold object of his desire, by going on a quest to retrieve a fallen star. His journey takes him to a mysterious and forbidden land beyond the walls of his village. On his odyssey, Tristan finds the star, which has transformed into a striking girl named Yvaine - played by Claire Danes (Terminator 3: Rise of The Machines, Stage Beauty, Shop Girl, William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, TV's My So-Called Life).

However, Tristan is not the only one seeking the star. A king’s - Peter O’Toole (What's New Pussycat, Lawrence of Arabia, Venus) four living sons – not to mention the ghosts of their three dead brothers – all need the star as they vie for the throne. Tristan must also overcome the evil witch, Lamia - Michelle Pfeiffer (Frankie & Johnnie, Batman Returns, Scarface), who needs the star to make her young again.

As Tristan battles to survive these threats, encountering a pirate named Captain Shakespeare - screen legend Robert De Niro (Taxi Driver, Mean Streets, The Deer Hunter, The Godfather: Part II, Goodfellas, Meet The Parents) and a shady trader named Ferdy the Fence - played by British stand-up comic and writer Ricky Gervais (BBCTVs smash hits The Office and Extras) along the way, his quest changes. He must now win the heart of the star for himself as he discovers the meaning of true love.

Here's what critics in the US have made of Stardust so far:

"Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman’s well-structured screenplay unfolds like a Princess Bride for the 21st century - balancing derring-do with sly satire." - Chad Greene
(Boxoffice Magazine).

"A supernatural fantasy action adventure whose combination of whimsy and gothic melodrama seems to have been cobbled together from focus groups held at Comic-Con and Renaissance fairs." - Ann Hornaday (Washington Post).

"Fails for one full hour, then pivoting on De Niro's flamboyant appearance, ascends to clouds. Too many cut up furry creatures & risque adult situations for kids & animal lovers." - Ross Anthony (Hollywood Report Card).

"Simply divine fantasy. Pfeiffer casts a spell on it outshining the fallen star." - (FilmsInReview.com).

"There's plenty of charm and enchantment but this reviewer wasn't bored so much as pleasantly lulled by an overload of glittery special effects...Compare it to The Princess Bride and Stardust is doomed to be the eternal bridesmaid." - Larushka Ivan-Zadeh (Metro newspaper).

"The violence is too much for young children, and the witches are too corny for older viewers." - Steve Crum (Video-Reviewmaster.com)

Pictured (right): Claire Daines, Ricky Gervais and Robert DeNiro star in Neil Gaiman's gentle fantasy, Stardust.

Special features on the DVD/HD DVD of Stardust look like this:

More information available in DVD / Home Video, Books