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Summary:

One of the greatest comedians of all time, Richard Pryor gets raw and real in this brutally funny and lacerating self-portrait. Following the notorious incident in which he caught on fire while high on cocaine, nearly losing his life, Pryor exorcised his inner demons by writing, producing, directing, and starring in this dizzying hall-of-mirrors biopic and backstage drama, which traces a young comedian's rise to fame, from his childhood growing up in a brothel to the colorful experiences that shaped his edgy comic voice to the addiction struggles that brought him to the brink of death. As he did in his legendary stand-up sets, here Pryor fearlessly turns his soul inside out, revealing the deep vulnerability that made his art so compelling.

Contributors:

Pryor, Richard, 1940-2005 , film director, film producer, screenwriter, actor

Urbisci, Rocco , screenwriter

Mooney, Paul, 1941-2021 , screenwriter

Kelly, Paula , actor

Allen, Debbie , actor

McRae, Carmen , actor

Hancock, Herbie, 1940- , composer

Cambern, Donn , editor of moving image work

Alonzo, John A., 1934-2001 , director of photography

Criterion Collection (Firm) , publisher

Columbia Pictures , presenter

Languages:

English

Language Notes:

Dialogue in English.

Related Series:

Criterion collection; [volume] 1247

Subjects:

Comedians — Drama

African American comedians — Drama

Fame — Drama

Accidents — Drama

Genres:

Motion pictures

Biographical films

Feature films

Fiction films

Video recordings for the hearing impaired

System Details:

Blu-ray; region A; DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Surround.

Performers:

Cast: Richard Pryor, Paula Kelly, Debbie Allen, Carmen McRae, Wings Hauser, Barbara Williams, J.J. Barry, Marlene Warfield, E'lon Cox.

Production Credits:

Music by Herbie Hancock ; edited by Donn Cambern ; director of photography, John Alonzo.

General Notes:

English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing (SDH)
Originally released as a motion picture in 1986.
Wide screen (2.39:1).
Special features: New interview on the film with filmmaker Robert Townsend ; Interview with director Richard Pryor from a 1985 episode of The Dick Cavett Show.
For private home use only.
Description based on: Title from container.

Physical Description:

1 videodisc (97 min.) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.

Physical Characteristics:

4 3/4 in.; polychrome

Audio Characteristics:

digital; optical; surround; DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Surround; sound

Film Characteristics:

2.39:1; wide screen

Digital Characteristics:

video file; Blu-ray; region A

Call Numbers:

JOJ 1986 BLU

ISBNs:

9798886072334
9798886072341

Other Standard Numbers:

Universal Product Code: 715515308014
Universal Product Code: 715515308113
Publisher Number, The Criterion Collection: CC3636UHDBD (container)
Publisher Number, The Criterion Collection: CC3636UHDBD-2 (disc)
Publisher Number, The Criterion Collection: CC3637BD

OCLC Numbers:

1470981614