PUTNEY SWOPE (Robert Downey Sr., 1969) -- Vinegar Syndrome, 6/25/19

[bruce holecheck]

Robert Downey Sr.'s classic satire PUTNEY SWOPE (1969) gets a Blu from Vinegar Syndrome this June.

Robert Downey (a prince) Sr.'s masterpiece, PUTNEY SWOPE, makes its worldwide Blu-ray debut, presented from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science's stunning new 4K restoration of the film.

Putney Swope Trailer - YouTube

[notops]

love Love LOVE this movie

Truth and soul

[Gacivory]

Cool! Gonna get this!

[CelestialAgent]

Will be interested to see what details are announced once the product page goes up. Criterion conducted a series of interviews between Downey Sr. and PTA for their YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1HU...ature=youtu.be

[Hellspawn28]

Happy to see this get a Blu-Ray release. I thought Criterion would release it and not VS.

[MagellanvsHimself]

I think that Vinegar Syndrome's releases are some of the best in the business - their PQ has been consistently excellent (I realize that Criterion is no slouch), but I've been incredibly pleased with all of their transfers.

[bruce holecheck]

Officially announced, and details:

Assuming he is incapable of winning, all of the members of a prestigious Madison Avenue advertising firm accidentally vote to appoint the company's only black executive, Putney Swope, as chairman of the board. His unexpected win behind him, Swope changes the company's name to 'Truth and Soul, Inc,' fires nearly all of its elderly white employees, and focuses solely on creating subversive, outlandish, and shocking campaigns. As the company is catapulted to new heights of success, Swope finds that he has drawn the ire of the U.S. President, who seeks to declare him and his renegade staff a threat to national security.

Considered one of the masterpieces of late 60s counterculture cinema, Robert Downey Sr.’s (Greaser's Palace) PUTNEY SWOPE remains a vital cinematic satire on race, politics and pop culture. Featuring a supporting performance from character actor Allen Garfield (Nashville) alongside a cameo from Mel Brooks, Vinegar Syndrome is proud to present the world Blu-ray debut of PUTNEY SWOPE in a stunning new 4k restoration created by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and The Film Foundation.

directed by: Robert Downey Sr.
starring: Arnold Johnson, Stan Gottlieb, Allen Garfield, Mel Brooks
1969 / 85 min / 1.37:1

Special features:
• Region Free Blu-ray/DVD combo
• Newly scanned & restored in 4k from various 35mm pre-print elements
• Audio commentary with director Robert Downey Sr.
• Video interview with Robert Downey Sr. from 2001 on Putney Swope
• Video interview with Robert Downey Sr. from 2008 on Putney Swope
• Q and A from the film's screening at the 2005 Philadelphia Film Festival
• Audio interview with cinematographer Gerald Cotts
• Audio commentary with film critic and historian Sergio Mims
• Original theatrical trailer
• Massive archival article & promo gallery
• 22¢ off coupon for Ethereal Cereal (screen printed insert, exclusive to first pressing)
• Reversible cover artwork
• English SDH subtitles

[babybreese]

Surprised this is full screen.
Every cap in the site review screams this should have been matted.

The 2006 dvd was widescreen @ 1.78

[Egbert Souse]

Originally Posted by babybreese

Surprised this is full screen.
Every cap in the site review screams this should have been matted.

The 2006 dvd was widescreen @ 1.78

Unless the Home Vision DVD used a different master, the Eclipse version looked cramped and parts were even windowboxed to 4x3. The credits are certainly not widescreen-safe.

I think it's safe to assume 1.37:1 is preferred by Downey since I can't imagine that being an oversight with either The Film Foundation or Vinegar Syndrome.

[bruce holecheck]

Site review:

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Putne...242394/#Review

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by babybreese

Surprised this is full screen.
Every cap in the site review screams this should have been matted.

The 2006 dvd was widescreen @ 1.78

Since when were DVDs correct?

The Academy Film Archive and The Film Foundation assisted in the restoration, and I think they'd help get it correct, so this is how it should be.

[captainron_howdy]

R.I.P. Robert Downey Sr.

[jkoffman]

Watched this last night for the first time in 20+ years and it's darker and funnier than most subversive comedies of the 60s and 70s. This time I saw a lot of scenes and ideas that were borrowed by filmmakers that followed. Once you get in the groove of it and let the vignettes stand on their own, it's really rewarding.

I went looking to see what other Downey Sr. films are available besides Greaser's Palace, but that's it for BD. Then I found this Criterion 2-DVD set that's currently 50% off at B&N and includes several of his early low budget films.

[captainron_howdy]

Originally Posted by jkoffman

Watched this last night for the first time in 20+ years and it's darker and funnier than most subversive comedies of the 60s and 70s. This time I saw a lot of scenes and ideas that were borrowed by filmmakers that followed. Once you get in the groove of it and let the vignettes stand on their own, it's really rewarding.

I went looking to see what other Downey Sr. films are available besides Greaser's Palace, but that's it for BD. Then I found this Criterion 2-DVD set that's currently 50% off at B&N and includes several of his early low budget films.

That's an excellent set.

[JackyJacquard]

I got the Indicator LE of this today, about halfway through but I got distracted so I’ll ask:

Early on - I think when the Japanese businessman comes to the firm - there’s a shot of a secretary while we hear the men in front of her talking, then its a freeze-frame as she’s handing over some documents but we still hear the men talking, then it moves to the next shot. Is this correct? Or does my disc have an issue?