Search - The Big Lebowski [Widescreen/Fullscreen] on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Humor, Profanity, Substance Abuse, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 1998 DVD Release: 10/27/1998 Format: DVD - Pan and Scan,Soft-Matted WSE for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 38 mins Studio: Polygram USA Video Members Wishing: 39 Genres: Comedy, Screwball Comedy, Crime Comedy, Buddy Film See Also: The Big Lebowski [Widescreen], The Big Lebowski [Widescreen] [Collector's Edition], The Big Lebowski [Fullscreen] [Collector's Edition], The Big Lebowski [Collector's Edition With Coasters, Cards and Towel], The Big Lebowski [HD DVD], The Big Lebowski [10th Anniversary Edition] [Limited Edition Collectible Bowling Ball Packagi, The Big Lebowski [10th Anniversary Edition], The Big Lebowski [Widescreen] [10th Anniversary Edition]

The plot of this Raymond Chandler-esque comedy crime caper from the Coen Brothers (Joel Coen and Ethan Coen) pivots around a case of mistaken identity complicated by extortion, double-crosses, deception, embezzlement, sex, pot, and gallons of White Russians (made with fresh cream, please). In 1991, unemployed '60s refugee Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) grooves into his laid-back Los Angeles lifestyle. One of the laziest men in LA, he enjoys hanging with his bowling buddies, pompous security-store owner Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) and mild-mannered ex-surfer Donny (Steve Buscemi). However, the Dude's life takes an alternate route the afternoon two goons break into his threadbare Venice, California, bungalow, rough him up, and urinate on his living room rug. Why? Because Jackie Treehorn (Ben Gazzara) is owed money by the wife of a certain Jeff Lebowski. However, the goons grabbed the wrong Jeff Lebowski. With the right info, they would have invaded the home of philanthropic Pasadena millionaire Jeffrey Lebowski (David Huddleston). The Dude looks up his wealthy namesake, manages to get a replacement for his rug, and meets the millionaire's sexy young wife Bunny (Tara Reid). Later, Jeffrey ("The Big") Lebowski calls in the Dude to deliver a $1 million ransom for the return of his kidnapped wife. Fine -- except that Walter intrudes and botches the ransom drop. As events unravel, the Dude gets caught up in the schemes of Lebowski's daughter, erotic artist Maude (Julianne Moore), encounters both cops and bad guys, and drifts through an elaborate bowling fantasy sequence titled Gutterballs. The soundtrack includes Bob Dylan, Yma Sumac, Moondog, Captain Beefheart, and the Sons of the Pioneers. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Jeff Bridges - The Dude
John Goodman - Walter Sobchak
Julianne Moore - Maude Lebowski
Steve Buscemi - Donny
David Huddleston - The Big Lebowski
Philip Seymour Hoffman - Brandt
Peter Stormare - Nihilist

The follow-up to their Oscar-nominated Fargo, the Coen brothers' The Big Lebowski was a much more offbeat and quirky film that subsequently found a smaller audience. The DVD release by now-defunct Polygram Home Video still manages to satisfy despite the film's less successful reception and the Coens' well-known aversion to commentary tracks. The 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer takes advantage of the film's colorful cinematography, and the Dolby Digital Sound does wonders for the terrific soundtrack. A pan-and-scan version of the film is also available, accessible on the same side as the widescreen version. Another great feature of the disc is the original theatrical teaser, extraordinarily cool in its use of split screen and "I Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)" by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition. Finally, a 30-minute interview with the Coens reveals both their quirky brand of humor and creative thought processes, while covering the basics of the film's production that would normally be discussed during a commentary track. Now that Polygram is gone, =The Big Lebowski disc is hard to find, but arguably one of the best presentations of a Coen brothers' film on DVD thus far. ~ Oliver Thornton, All Movie Guide