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Penitentiary: Limited Edition (1979)(VS-203)(Exclusive)*

Penitentiary: Limited Edition (1979)(VS-203)(Exclusive)*

Actors: Leon Isaac Kennedy, Wilbur 'Hi-Fi' White, Thommy Pollard, Donovan Womack, Gloria Delaney, Badja Djola, Chuck Mitchell
Director: Jamaa Fanaka
Language: ENGLISH : DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
Subtitles: English
Region: Region Free
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number of Discs: 2 (BD/DVD)
Rating: R
Orig Release Date: 1979
Studio: Vinegar Syndrome
Release Date: 1/30/2018
Run Time: 99 Min.
Special Features:
  • Newly scanned and restored in 4k from the 35mm original camera negative
  • Commentary #1 features writer/director Jamaa Fanaka.
  • Commentary #2 features second assistant director Sergio Mims.
  • Interview (40:14, HD) with Leon Isaac Kennedy is a look back at the creative highlights of the "Penitentiary" shoot, with the actor launching into an anti-Blaxploitation rant before digging into the film. Kennedy recounts his early years as a DJ, working with Motown in Detroit before making his move to Los Angeles, with hopes to make it as an actor. With Fanaka, Kennedy found a collaborator who took a chance on the young man, replacing Glynn Turman as Martel, soon offering script suggestions to develop the part. Stunt concerns are highlighted and co-stars are recalled, and location blues are detailed, with the freezing jail making comfort difficult for the shirtless star. Kennedy explores his concern for the feature's marketplace chances, discussing his self-financed promotional tour and the movie's eventual release, creating an enduring legacy for the actor, who recounts a celebrity run-in with Eddie Murphy in the 1980s, with the comedian (and his brother, Charlie) excitedly quoting lines.
  • Interview (21:37, HD) with cinematographer Marty Ollstein is an overview of his artistic interests and work on "Penitentiary," teaming up with Fanaka during their years at UCLA. Ollstein covers visual choices and creative input, working with Fanaka to shape the look and feel of the picture. He also explores the feature's cult appeal, with people still tickled by his association with the film.
  • Interview (28:14, HD) with producer Alicia Dhanifu is curious, as she spends the first half of the chat celebrating her time with Fanaka, discussing their initial connection at UCLA and her eventual work on "Penitentiary," contributing to the writing and thespian training for the non-actors. Suddenly, Dhanifu switches course and shares Fanaka's post-"Penitentiary" behavior, where he attempted to diminish her role in the movie's success, with the producer electing not to push back against overwhelming sexism.
  • Theatrical Trailer (4:15, SD)
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Penitentiary: Limited Edition (1979)(VS-203)(Exclusive)*—

$44.99

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Description

Actors: Leon Isaac Kennedy, Wilbur 'Hi-Fi' White, Thommy Pollard, Donovan Womack, Gloria Delaney, Badja Djola, Chuck Mitchell
Director: Jamaa Fanaka
Language: ENGLISH : DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
Subtitles: English
Region: Region Free
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number of Discs: 2 (BD/DVD)
Rating: R
Orig Release Date: 1979
Studio: Vinegar Syndrome
Release Date: 1/30/2018
Run Time: 99 Min.
Special Features:
  • Newly scanned and restored in 4k from the 35mm original camera negative
  • Commentary #1 features writer/director Jamaa Fanaka.
  • Commentary #2 features second assistant director Sergio Mims.
  • Interview (40:14, HD) with Leon Isaac Kennedy is a look back at the creative highlights of the "Penitentiary" shoot, with the actor launching into an anti-Blaxploitation rant before digging into the film. Kennedy recounts his early years as a DJ, working with Motown in Detroit before making his move to Los Angeles, with hopes to make it as an actor. With Fanaka, Kennedy found a collaborator who took a chance on the young man, replacing Glynn Turman as Martel, soon offering script suggestions to develop the part. Stunt concerns are highlighted and co-stars are recalled, and location blues are detailed, with the freezing jail making comfort difficult for the shirtless star. Kennedy explores his concern for the feature's marketplace chances, discussing his self-financed promotional tour and the movie's eventual release, creating an enduring legacy for the actor, who recounts a celebrity run-in with Eddie Murphy in the 1980s, with the comedian (and his brother, Charlie) excitedly quoting lines.
  • Interview (21:37, HD) with cinematographer Marty Ollstein is an overview of his artistic interests and work on "Penitentiary," teaming up with Fanaka during their years at UCLA. Ollstein covers visual choices and creative input, working with Fanaka to shape the look and feel of the picture. He also explores the feature's cult appeal, with people still tickled by his association with the film.
  • Interview (28:14, HD) with producer Alicia Dhanifu is curious, as she spends the first half of the chat celebrating her time with Fanaka, discussing their initial connection at UCLA and her eventual work on "Penitentiary," contributing to the writing and thespian training for the non-actors. Suddenly, Dhanifu switches course and shares Fanaka's post-"Penitentiary" behavior, where he attempted to diminish her role in the movie's success, with the producer electing not to push back against overwhelming sexism.
  • Theatrical Trailer (4:15, SD)
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