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GOODBYE UNCLE TOM

Label: Blue Underground.

Physical Media Release Date: 04/23/24.

Form of Release: 4-Disc Limited Edition 4K UHD.

SYNOPSIS:

The first motion picture, based on historical facts, about the rise and revolt of slavery in America. Two documentary filmmakers go back in time to the pre-Civil War American South, to film the slave trade.

EVERY SCENE LOOKS YOU STRAIGHT IN THE EYE... AND SPITS!

The film considered too shocking for the world! Written, edited, produced and directed by Gualtiero Jacopetti and Franco Prosperi of Mondo Cane fame, this epic recreation of the American slave trade atrocities was both condemned as depraved exploitation and acclaimed as an unprecedented cry of Black anguish and rage. The Detroit Chronicle hailed it as 'a graphic, moving, nerve-paralyzing film.' Legendary film critic Pauline Kael called it 'the most specific and rabid incitement of the race war.' It became one of the most reviled and misunderstood films of its time. Five decades cannot diminish Goodbye Uncle Tom's impact or quiet its controversy as it has become even more relevant TODAY!

In 1971, distributors forced the filmmakers to completely re-cut the film and radically re-write its extreme narration, removing more than 13 minute of race-war politics and inserting alternate scenes - creating what would become an entirely different film - before it could be released. Now more than 50 years later, both versions of Goodbye Uncle Tom can finally be seen in brand-new restorations, scanned in 4K 16-bit from their original negatives, with Dolby Vision HDR & newly restored DTS-HD Master Audio, and packed with over 5 hours of Extras!

THE RT SCORES:

Goodbye Uncle Tom has the following scores: 

  • Audience Score: 56% 

  • Critical Score: N/A

REASONS TO WATCH: 

"Gualtiero Jacopetti and Franco Prosperi’s Goodbye Uncle Tom plunges you headfirst into the dark heart of race relations in America. What’s worse is that it’s still altogether timely." - Slant Magazine

"They have finally done it: made the most disgusting, contemptuous insult to decency ever to masquerade as a documentary!" - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

"One of the most fascinating and offensive films ever made." - Eli Roth

THE BONUS FEATURES:

  • Ultra HD Blu-ray (2160p) Widescreen 2.40:1 feature presentations

  • Audio: 1.0 DTS-HD MA (English); 1.0 DTS-HD MA (Italian)

  • English Version (123 Mins.) with Optional English SDH and Espanol Subtitles + English Trailer

  • Italian Version (136 Mins.) with Optional English and English SDH Subtitles + Italian Trailer

  • THE IMPORTANCE OF SHOCKING: GUALTIERO JACOPETTI – A feature-length documentary by Director Andrea Bettinetti (94 Mins.)

  • THE GODFATHERS OF MONDO – A feature-length documentary by Director David Gregory (89 Mins.)

  • Goodbye Cruel Mondo - Interviews with Writers/Directors Gualtiero Jacopetti & Franco Prosperi, and Composer Riz Ortolani (20 Mins.)

  • Behind-the-Scenes 8mm Footage with Audio Commentary by Production Manager Giampaolo Lomi (50 Mins.)

  • Mondo Mercenaries - Interview with Author & Academic Mark Goodall (27 Mins.)

  • Abjection Under Authoritarianism - Interview with Professor Matthew J. Smith (20 Mins.)

  • Extensive Still Galleries, including Giampaolo Lomi’s Behind-the-Scenes Photos

CAST AND CREW

  • Director: Franco Prosperi / Gualtiero Jacopetti.

  • Written by: Franco Prosperi / Gualtiero Jacopetti. 

  • Producer: Franco Prosperi / Gualtiero Jacopetti.

  • Director of Photography: Claudio Cirillo / Antonio Climati / Benito Frattari. 

  • Composer: Riz Ortolani.

  • Editor: Franco Prosperi / Gualtiero Jacopetti.

  • Cast: Stefano Sibaldi / Susan Hampshire / Dick Gregory / Gualtiero Jacopetti / Ernest Kubler / Franco Prosperi / Shelley Spurlock.

 

Runtim

Approx. 259 minutes.

MPAA

NC-17.

Original Release Year 

1971.

 

Video

Codec: HEVC / H.265
Resolution: Native 4K (2160p)
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10+
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1

Audio 

English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono
Italian: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono

Subtitles

English, English SDH, Spanish

 

Discs

4K Ultra HD
Blu-ray Disc
Four-disc set (2 BD-100, 1 BD-50, 1 CD)

 

Digital

N/A

Packaging

  • 4-Disc Limited Edition Boxset

    • GOODBYE UNCLE TOM Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD by Riz Ortolani

    • Collectible Booklet with new essay by Dan Madigan

 

Playback

4K Blu-ray: Region free
2K Blu-ray: Region free

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OUR VERDICT:

+ STRICTLY ONE PRESSING
+ BONUS FEATURES x3

+ FIRST TIME ON 4K UHD

- CONTROVERSIAL PAST

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