Follows the life of Howard Hughes as the twentysomething millionaire, having already made a fortune improving the design of oil-drilling bits, who comes to Hollywood with an interest in getting into the picture business. It doesn't take long for Hughes to jump from producer to director of his first major film project, a World War I air epic. The film was a massive hit, and the eccentric inventor became a mogul in Hollywood, making Jean Harlow a star and enjoying a romance with Katharine Hepburn. But Hollywood's old-boy network never fully accepted Hughes, and in time his passion for flying began to reclaim his attentions. In time he began designing new planes, setting air speed records, flying around the world, and risking his life testing aircraft. Hughes also found time to romance Ava Gardner and founded his own airline, Trans-World Airlines. As his ideas became bolder and more eccentric, he gained many powerful enemies.

MPAA rating: PG-13; for thematic elements, sexual content, nudity, language and a crash sequence.

Optional dubbed French dialogue, French or Spanish subtitles; closed-captioned.

Originally released as a motion picture in 2004.

Special features: Audio commentary by Martin Scorsese; "Howard tells Ava about his car accident" - deleted scene; "Modern marvels: Howard Hughes" a 45-minute documentary by The History Channel; "A life without limits": the making-of 'The aviator' featurette; the role of Howard Hughes in aviation history; an evening with Leonardo DiCaprio and Alan Alda; OCD panel discussion with Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese and Howard Hughes' widow Terry Moore; "The age of glamour" featurette; "The hair and make-up of 'The aviator'" featurette; the visual effects of 'The aviator'; photo gallery.

Director of photography, Robert Richardson ; editor, Thelma Schoonmaker ; music, Howard Shore ; costume designer, Sandy Powell ; production designer, Dante Ferretti ; visual effects supervisor, Rob Legato ; special effects supervisor, R. Bruce Steinheimer.

Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Kate Beckinsale, John C. Reilly, Alec Baldwin, Alan Alda, Ian Holm, Danny Huston, Gwen Stefani, Jude Law, Adam Scott, Matt Ross, Kelli Garner, Frances Conroy, Brent Spiner, Stanley DeSantis, Edward Herrmann, Willem Dafoe.

DVD, region 1; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround, Dolby Digital 2.0 surround, stereo.

Academy Awards, USA, 2005: Oscar - Best Achievement in Art Direction (Dante Ferretti (art director), Francesca Lo Schiavo (set decorator)); Best Achievement in Cinematography (Robert Richardson); Best Achievement in Costume Design (Sandy Powell); Best Achievement in Editing (Thelma Schoonmaker); Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role (Cate Blanchett).