'Sounder,' 'Sunset Boulevard' among DVD releases

"Misty" (Koch, 1961, $14.98). A young brother and sister yearn for a wild pony named Phantom, which eludes capture year after year during a roundup on Assateague Island near Chincoteague, Va. This gentle, sweet, gorgeously photographed family film holds up very well and is obviously a loving effort by the filmmakers.

Extras: widescreen

"Madame Bovary" (Koch, 1991, PG-13, $29.98). Isabelle Huppert is perfectly cast as the title character in this literal adaptation of Flaubert's novel (though she's a bit old for the role). Nicely photographed with lush trappings, and very well performed, though there is an aloofness that is never quite overcome.

Extras: widescreen, in French with English subtitles, documentary about Huppert

"The Boys in the Band" (Paramount, 1970; R for language; $26.99). This adaptation of the popular off-Broadway play — about a group of gay friends at a birthday party where liquor brings out the worst in some of them — was a groundbreaking film, one of the first to treat homosexuals in a realistic manner. Mart Crowley produced, adapting his own play, which was well directed by William Friedkin (whose next movie was "The French Connection"). And the fine ensemble cast is the same that performed the show onstage.

Extras: widescreen, audio commentary (by director William Friedkin), featurettes

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