Putney Swope Blu-Ray

Putney Swope (Arnold Johnson, Shaft) is the only black executive at a stuffy advertising agency on Madison Avenue. When the chairman unexpectedly dies, Putney is unexpectedly elected as the new boss—because those who voted never thought anyone else would do the same. Putney fires the white majority and replaces them with young, revolutionary types, renaming the agency Truth and Soul. Robert Downey's Putney Swope is a sharp satire that takes aim at capitalism, power, and racism in the United States. The film is an important part of counterculture cinema and a milestone for independent filmmaking, and after more than half a century, it is still very, very funny.

INDICATOR STANDARD EDITION SPECIAL FEATURES

4K restoration by the Academy Film Archive and Film Foundation

Original mono audio

Audio commentary with screenwriter and director Robert Downey (2001)

Audio commentary with film critic and historian Sergio Mims (2019)

Interview with Robert Downey (2001, 16 min): archival conversation with the filmmaker about the creation, reception, and influence of Putney Swope

Interview with Gerald Cotts (2019, 20 min): audio recording of the cinematographer reminiscing about his work on the film

Film Forum Q&A with Robert Downey (2016, 34 min): Archival recording of the renowned provocateur in conversation with Bruce Goldstein at Film Forum in New York. Original theatrical trailer. Trailer commentary (2013): short critical review by film producer Dan Ireland

Image gallery: advertising and marketing material

New and improved English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing