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Vinegar Syndrome

Penitentiary

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Edition Type: Limited Edition Slipcover

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Sold Out / OOP

This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray/DVD combo. The limited edition slipcover was limited to 1,500 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.

Leon Isaac Kennedy stars as Martel "Too Sweet" Gordone who, after unwittingly getting involved with a prostitute and attempting to save her from being assaulted by a John, which turns deadly, finds himself charged with a murder he didn't commit. Locked up in the state penitentiary, Martel is forced to fend for himself among hardened criminals, until he's introduced to the underground and lucrative world of in-prison boxing.

Director Jamaa Fanaka's breakout action hit, PENITENTIARY, remains one of the seminal late period 'Blaxploitation' films. Gritty, violent, and maddeningly entertaining, Vinegar Syndrome presents the Blu-ray debut of this genre film classic, newly restored in 4k from its original 35mm camera negative and filled with both all new and archival interviews with its cast and crew.

directed by: Jamaa Fanaka
starring: Leon Isaac Kennedy, Wilbur 'Hi-Fi' White, Thommy Pollard, Donovan Womack, Gloria Delaney, Badja Djola, Chuck Mitchell
1979 / 99 minutes / Color / 1.85:1 OAR

Additional info:

  • Region free Blu-ray/DVD combo pack
  • Newly scanned and restored in 4k from the 35mm original camera negative
  • Archival commentary track with Jamaa Fanaka (writer / producer / director)
  • Commentary track with Sergio Mims (second assistant director)
  • "Too Sweet for Penitentiary" - interview with Leon Isaac Kennedy (lead actor)
  • "Filming Penitentiary" - interview with Marty Ollstein (cinematographer)
  • "Producing Penitentiary" - interview with Alicia Dhanifu (producer)
  • Original theatrical trailer
  • English SDH Subtitles

Overall rating: 4.6363635 / 5 from 44 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Penitentiary, a seminal late period 'Blaxploitation' film, is celebrated for its gritty and entertaining narrative. The Blu-ray/DVD combo offers a newly restored 4k transfer, enhanced by archival and new interviews with cast and crew. Customers appreciate the film's quality and the value of the release, though opinions on the movie itself are mixed.

Summary topics

  • Film Quality: 34%
  • Video Transfer Quality: 20%
  • Release Value: 17%

Review topics: ["quality","looks","film","transfer","release","movie","gem","prisoners","flick","interviews","artwork","penitentiary","classic","blaxploitation"].

Review highlights

  • "Nice release for good prison boxing movie." — Matti J.
  • "This release features a great transfer too." — Sebastian V.
  • "Penitentiary is an excellent exploitation film of the era with good acting and a beautiful new transfer!" — robert p.

Reviews

This is a Hit!

"I was already a fan of Leon Isaac Kennedy from Lone Wolf McQuade and he is so cool in this film. This version looks amazing!"

— Sean H. (5/5)

A Movie of Note

"Movie: This has a few really great scenes that take the prison experience very seriously, highlighting prison SA as well as institutionalization. It also features multiple instances of male & female prisoners sneaking through bathroom ceilings to hook up. However, the tonal shifts from scene to scene mostly work, contrasted with the sluggish pacing, especially towards the end. Something also feels a bit "off" about the central premise of salvation through boxing, particularly the way the main prison Lieutenant doesn't really seem to be critiqued by the movie. Extras: All three interviews are interesting enough, especially the one with star Leon Kennedy. Packaging: Bonus points for reversible cover."

— Gideon M. (4/5)

Don't get in his way!

"Penitentiary is a pretty great exploitation flick with plenty to enjoy. Leon Isaac Kennedy does a great job portraying 'Too Sweet' Gordone in a sympathetic role and it's hard not to stay engaged rooting for him the entire time. The transfer is also excellent."

— Ed G. (4/5)

Penitentiary

"Nice release for good prison boxing movie. Nice to own this OOP product."

— Matti J. (5/5)

Pen

"100/10"

— Dylan D. (5/5)

Penitentiary

"Nice release of the first of a trilogy? I believe there's a third not yet released anyway."

— Samuel L. (5/5)

Gritty prison boxing film

"Very entertaining​ Blaxploitation release. Centers on wrongfully imprisoned man forced to box his way out of the penitentiary. Great audio and video quality. Loads of extra features. Neat artwork on the discs and reversible ​sleeve."

— Kresh R. (4/5)

Penitentiary

"Earlier and grittier Vinegar Syndrome release. Unfortunately this particular edition is now sold out ."

— Nicolas A. (5/5)

Half Dead

"As always vinsyn has beautifully restored this little boxing film. Very filmic looking. Movie itself is tonally kinda weird but somehow still in balance - I kinda loved it. Genuinely touching and funny with some sweaty fight scenes."

— Juhana A. (5/5)

All you need

"Blaxploitation, prison movie and boxing in one package. Video transfer and sound quality are great. Good interviews in extras. Highly recommend!!"

— Pasi R. (4/5)

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