Exploring America Through Furie’s Lens

Read Time:7 Minute, 41 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Directed By… Sidney J. Furie (1970 – 1978)
The Lawyer  –
Little Fauss and Big Halsy  –
Hit!  –
Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New York  –
The Boys In Company C  –

Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Action, Comedy
Year Released: 1970-19782023 Imprint Blu-ray Box Set
Runtime: 9h 52m
Director(s): Sidney J. Furie
Writer(s): Sidney J. Furie, Harold Buchman/Charles Eastman/Alan Trustman, David M. Wolf/Gail Parent, Kenny Solms/Rick Natkin
Cast: Barry Newman, Harold Gould, Diana Muldaur/Robert Redford, Michael J. Pollard, Lauren Hutton/Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, Paul Hampton/Jeannie Berlin, Roy Scheider, Rebecca Dianna Smith/Stan Shaw, Andrew Stevens, James Canning
Where To Watch: available now, order here www.viavision.com.au

RAVING REVIEW: Journey with me, dear readers, as we dive into the magical world of the silver screen! Ever wondered what happens when five stellar movies are bundled together? You get the ultimate movie marathon, and when it's DIRECTED BY… SIDNEY J. FURIE, you know you're in for a treat!

Let’s kick things off with "The Lawyer." Consider it a high-stakes chess match at the center with Tony Petrocelli, played by Barry Newman. SIDNEY J. FURIE beautifully crafts each move, keeping us on our toes, especially with the intellectual duels between Petrocelli and prosecutor Eric Scott. It's a courtroom drama but with a Furie twist!

Switching gears, we venture into the wild world of "Little Fauss and Big Halsy." Picture this: Robert Redford, not as the guy next door, but as an unpredictable whirlwind named Halsy. With the poignant notes of Johnny Cash in the background, Furie gives us a story of trust, trials, and two-wheelers.

But don't get too cozy because "Hit!" will pull you into its intricate web. With elements of darkness and deep emotion, we follow Nick Allen, brought to life by Billy Dee Williams, on a personal mission. As always, Furie knows how to drop those plot twists with a dash of Richard Pryor's genius, ensuring you're constantly guessing what's next.

Taking a breather from the action, we stroll through "Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living In New York." Sheila, played by the captivating Jeannie Berlin, navigates the chaos of the Big Apple. Through her, Furie delves deep into the world of women, dreams, and determination in a city that doesn't know the meaning of 'pause.'

Last but not least, "The Boys In Company C" catapults us into the intense landscapes of the Vietnam War. Furie's lens captures the raw, heart-wrenching transformation of five diverse American souls amidst the horrors of war. And, trust me, R. Lee Ermey's performance adds a level of authenticity that’s hard to shake off.

Beyond the individual narratives, the golden touch of SIDNEY J. FURIE binds these stories into one cohesive cinematic experience. The additional features and in-depth interviews are like the cherry on top, giving us a window into the maestro's mind.

Now, while every movie marathon has its highs and lows, a dash of 'could've been better' here, or a sprinkle of 'wish there was more of that' there, one thing remains consistent – Furie's undeniable storytelling prowess. This anthology is a walk through different worlds, each molded with care, expertise, and that unmistakable Furie charm.

To wrap things up, this collection is your golden ticket for the regular movie-goer or the weekend binge-watcher. A blend of drama, emotion, societal reflections, and a dash of that classic movie magic – all DIRECTED BY… SIDNEY J. FURIE. So, buckle up and let Furie be your cinematic guide, weaving tales that resonate, captivate, and celebrate the world of cinema. Ready, set, action!

The Lawyer (1970) – Imprint Collection #231
– Special Features & Technical Specs:
– 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray from a NEW 4K scan of the original negative
– NEW Audio Commentary by film historian/filmmaker Daniel Kremer and film director Paul Lynch, with archival excerpts from director Sidney J. Furie
– NEW Newman’s Law – An Anthony J. Petrocelli Deposition with star Barry Newman
– NEW Lawyers’ Wives and Lost Loves – two interviews with actress Diana Muldaur
– NEW Clear Lines of Sight: Sidney J. Furie at Paramount – video essay by Daniel Kremer
– NEW Angles of Elevation– Film director Joe Dante’s Appreciation of Sidney J. Furie
– Theatrical Trailer
– Aspect Ratio 1.85:1
– Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
– Optional English subtitles

Little Fauss and Big Halsy (1970) – Imprint Collection #232
– Special Features & Technical Specs:
– 1080p high-definition presentation from a 2K scan of the original negative
– NEW Audio Commentary by film historian/filmmaker Daniel Kremer and director Sidney J. Furie
– NEW That Old Oklahoma Know-How – interview with producer Gray Frederickson (Part 1)
– NEW Godfathers and Grand Marshals: An Open Conversation with Producer Albert S. Ruddy
– NEW Panning the Furious Scans: A Visual Archaeology of the Man Who Wouldn’t Be Cropped – featurette
– NEW The World Starring Halsy Knox: Sidney J. Furie – The Actor’s Director – a video essay by filmmaker/critic David Cairns
– Trailers from Hell – with screenwriter Larry Karaszewski
– Director’s Guild of Canada Lifetime Achievement Award speech by Sidney J. Furie (1995)
– Theatrical Trailer
– Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
– Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
– Optional English subtitles

Hit! (1973) – Imprint Collection #233
– Special Features & Technical Specs:
– 1080p high-definition presentation from a 2K scan of the original negative
– NEW Audio Commentary by film historian/filmmaker Daniel Kremer and director Sidney J. Furie
– NEW Hit Up The Black Gable! – Interview with Billy Dee Williams
– NEW That Old Oklahoma Know-How – interview with producer Gray Frederickson (Part 2)
– NEW The Work – actor Paul Hampton on Sidney J. Furie
– NEW“Flesh & Furie: The Space Between Us”– video essay by film historian/filmmaker Howard S. Berger and David Nicholson-Fajardo
– Radio Ad
– Theatrical Trailer
– Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
– Audio English LPCM 2.0 Stereo
– Optional English subtitles

Sheila Levine is Dead and Living in New York (1975) – Imprint Collection #234
– Special Features & Technical Specs:
– 1080p high-definition presentation from a 4K scan of the original negative
– NEW Audio Commentary by film historian/filmmaker Daniel Kremer and director Sidney J. Furie
– NEW Audio Commentary by film historian Samm Deighan
– NEW The Film That Died and Lived – interview with cinematographer Donald M. Morgan
– NEW Why Can’t I Be Doris Day? Sheila Levine from Page to Screen – a video essay by film historian Bill Ackerman
– NEW Sidney J. Furie is Alive and Dreaming of New York – a video essay by filmmaker Scout Tafoya
– NEW A Little Uncomfortable: Furie’s 1970s Politics – video essay by critic/filmmaker David Cairns
– Theatrical Trailer
– Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
– Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
– Optional English subtitles

The Boys in Company C (1978) – Imprint Collection #235
– Special Features & Technical Specs:
– 1080p high-definition presentation from a 2K scan of the original negative
– NEW Audio Commentary by screenwriter Rick Natkin and film producer Andre Morgan
– Audio Commentary by actor Andrew Stevens
– NEW Scenefinder General: Sidney J. Furie Remembers The Boys In Company C – featurette
– NEW Forever Fazio – interview with actor Michael Lembeck
– NEW Soldiers, Cowboys and Mavericks: Stan Shaw Pays Tribute to Sidney J. Furie
– NEW A Song for Private Bisbee: Craig Wasson Remembers the Days in Company C
– NEW Full Metal Furie: Stanley Kubrick and The Boys In Company C – video essay by film historian/filmmaker Daniel Kremer
– Fire Up The Carousel – Teaser Trailer for the Sidney J. Furie documentary
– Theatrical Trailer
– Aspect Ratio 2.35:1
– Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono
– Optional English subtitles

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[photo courtesy of IMPRINT/VIA VISION]

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