In the 70s there was a genre of film called blaxsplotation. The term was coined in August 1972 by Junius Griffin, then president of the Beverly Hills-Hollywood NAACP branch. He claimed the genre using stereotypical characters often involved in criminal activity.
Blaxsplotation was black directors and actors making films for black audiences. But they didn't just appeal to people of color. Film fans of all backgrounds enjoyed these cinematic presentations as well.
One of the directors at the forefront of soul cinema was Melvin Van Peebles. At the time of this review Melvin Van Peebles just passed away at the age of 89. So this new Blu-ray collection of films from Criterion Collection could not come at a more appropriate time as we celebrate the life, legacy and films of Melvin Van Peebles. Let's take a look at what is included in the Essential Film of Melvin Van Pebbles.
Our Rating System:
**** = Don’t Miss it!
*** = Worth a look.
** = An Ok way to spend an evening.
* = You haven’t missed anything.
The Story of a Three Day Pass (1967) A black American soldier, Turner (Harry Baird), is given three days leave in Paris. While at a nightclub he meets a French girl, Miriam (Nicole Berger). They dance and visit the seaside. As romance blossoms; it is all crushed like a flower as they face racial prejudice and Turner going back to duty. ***
Watermelon Man (1970) A white insurance salesman, Jeff Gerber (Godfrey Cambridge), gets the surprise of his life when he wakes up and discovers that his skin now resembles a black man. Jeff faces discrimination that ironically he once used. As his wife (Estelle Parsons) leaves him He must learn to adjust to his new life. ***
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971) Sweet Sweetback (Melvin Van Peebles) is a black orphan who grew up in a brothel, now works there as part of a adult show. Well after saving a Black Panther from some racist cops, a black male prostitute goes on the run from "the man". **
Don't Play Us Cheap (1972) This is the film version of Melvin Van Peebles' Broadway musical. The story follows a pair of demons who take human form and crash a Harlem house party in an attempt to break it up. **
Melvin Van Peebles films showed the gritty and sometime unpleasant side of life for black people in the 70s. He was a brave filmmaker that didn't shy away from showing the ugly side of life, thus shining a light on the injustice.
This Blu-ray set from Criterion Collection is something special. Each film comes in it's own special case. All four films have been restored in 4k. With Sweet Sweetback and Watermelon man are presented 1.85:1 aspect ratio and The Story of a three day pass and Don't play us cheap in 1.66:1 aspect ratio. The audio is a DTS-HD 5.1.
These films look and sound amazing with these new 4K restoration. I have heard other releases had many picture issues. I saw no issues with any of this release. The picture is crisp and sharp and the audio is clear. They look stellar.
Now Criterion Collection went above and beyond with this set and added so much bonus material It is hard to believe. Take a look at what is included in this set.
* Baadasssss!, a 2003 fictional feature film based on director Melvin Van Peebles’s diaries from the making of Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, directed by and starring his son Mario Van Peebles, with commentary by father and son
* New conversations between Mario Van Peebles and film critic Elvis Mitchell; producer Warrington Hudlin and critic and filmmaker Nelson George; and scholars Gerald R. Butters Jr., Novotny Lawrence, and Amy Abugo Ongiri
* Audio commentary by Melvin Van Peebles from 1997 on Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song
* Three early short films directed by Melvin Van Peebles
* How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It), a 2005 documentary on Van Peebles’s life and career
* The Story Behind “Baadasssss!”: The Birth of Black Cinema, a 2004 featurette
* Melvin Van Peebles: The Real Deal, a 2002 interview with the director on the making of Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song
* Episodes of Black Journal from 1968, 1971, and 1972, on The Story of a Three Day Pass, Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, and Don’t Play Us Cheap
* Interview from 1971 with Van Peebles on Detroit Tubeworks
* French television interview from 1968 with Van Peebles and actors Harry Baird and Nicole Berger on the set of The Story of a Three Day Pass
* Excerpts from a 2004 interview with Van Peebles for the Directors Guild of America Visual History Program
* Introductions to all four films by Van Peebles
* Trailers
* New English subtitle translation for The Story of a Three Day Pass
* English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Now if all this wasn't enough to keep you entertained Criterion also included a huge book filled with write-ups about Melvin and how his films influenced audiences. They include, "Reintroducing Melvin Van Pebbles" by Racquel J. Gates, "Ordinary Love" by Allyson Nadia Field, "Melvin in Hollywood" by Racquel J. Gates, "I'm gonna say a black Ave Maria for you" by Michael B. Gillespie and "The sacredness of Saturday night, or The gospel according to Melvin Van Peebles" by Lisa B. Thompson.
What makes the cinema for everyone is wide ranging genres. We get films to make us laugh and cry. There are films that take us to other worlds and those that take is into the heart of war. There are popcorn adventure flicks and than there are films that have a deeper message and say something. Melvin Van Peebles films tried to entertain, but say something socially.
Now Melvin Van Peebles films are made for mature audiences. There is much that could be deemed offensive. So we strongly suggest the viewer be aware of this before going into watching these films.
Melvin Van Peebles was a rebel with a cause. He didn't let Hollywood tell him what he could and couldn't do he made films his way. And thus became a legend. Now we celebrate his legend now, and with this new collection for generations to come.
As you can see there is so much in this collection that you will be entertained for days. So if you are a fan of blaxsplotation or Melvin Van Peebles this essential films collection from Criterion is one collection your are going to want to add. You can pick up a copy at Amazon.com today.
Out
of 4 Film Reels (4 Being the Best) Criterion Collection's Blu-ray of Melvin Van Pebbles Essential Films receives...
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