Lenny (1974) (Imprint Films) Blu-ray Review + Screenshots + Packaging Shots

Imprint Films brings us the life and times of comedian Lenny Bruce with this striking blu-ray.
Studio: Imprint Films
Release Date: November 10th, 1974 (theatrical) / December 27th, 2023 (blu-ray)
Run Time:
Region Code: FREE

Disc Count: 1
Picture: 1080p (1.85:1 aspect ratio)
Sound: English LPCM 2.0 Mono, English Dolby Digital 2.0 (music and effects track)
Subtitles: English SDH
Slipcover: Yes (slip box)
Digital Copy: No
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Valerie Perrine, Jan Miner, Stanley Beck, Frankie Man, Rashel Novikoff
Written by Julian Barry
Directed by Bob Fosse
Rating: AUS: R18+ (language and nudity)

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Poster

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What's It About?

Interview-style biography of controversial and pioneering stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce. The film traces Bruce from his beginnings as a Catskills comic to his later underground popularity based on his anti-establishment politics and his scatological humor.

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Video/Audio

LENNY looks great! I was surprised by how good it looked but I can't tell you I was surprised. I can tell you that the black and white looks incredible with deep blacks and well balanced whites. Film grain is always present throughout the film with it being at a medium level most of the time while growing thicker during dramatic scenes. I love the cinematography in use here and this transfer captures it wonderfully.

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Extras/Packaging

Audio Commentary by film historian/filmmaker Daniel Kremer and filmmaker Henry Jaglom

Audio Commentary by film historians Nick Redman and Julie Kirgo

"Dead Neon: The Many Faces of Lenny Bruce on Films" (29m 4s, HD, 1.33:1) Breaks down the film and the work of those involved. This video is very dry and not to my liking. That doesn't mean it is bad but just not my thing.

"On Fosse Time: Editing Lenny" - Interview with editor Alan Heim (22m 17s, HD, 1.85:1) He talks about how he got hooked up with Bob Fosse. He was the one who came up with the idea of intercutting the story aspects with the stand up comedy routines. He talks about his editing style along with some stories of working with Fosse.

Trailers from Hell: Robert Weide Commentary on Lenny (4m 28s, HD, 1.78:1) Weide talks about his connection to Bruce before giving us a history of Bruce via commentary over the film's trailer.

Theatrical Trailer (2m 53s, HD, 1.85:1)

Imprint Films brings LENNY to blu-ray with some nice packaging. The slip box features the film's poster art. The 14mm blu-ray case features another of the film's poster art. Inside the case, there is a shot from the film as the inner artwork. The disc art is the same as the front of the slip box

The disc is REGION FREE.

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Overall

LENNY is a good film. It gives us an honest portrayal of a comedian who died far too early. This man was a trailblazer. Without Lenny Bruce, there would be no George Carlin or Richard Pryor. The film looks at the rise and fall of the comedian with no pulled punches. Check this one out.

The Imprint Films blu-ray features great picture and sound along some really informative extras. The interview with the editor is the highlight. I would recommend this blu-ray.

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Extras/Menus