Search - Bamboozled [Widescreen] on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Language Movie Release: 2000 DVD Release: 04/17/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 16 mins Studio: New Line Home Video Members Wishing: 0 Genres: Comedy Drama, Media Satire

Writer and director Spike Lee casts his satiric gaze on racism in American television and how America's racist past still impacts the present in this biting comedy. Pierre Delacroix (Damon Wayans) is an astute, Harvard-educated African-American writer working for an independent television network who is assigned to brainstorm a new show for the African-American audience. Delacroix is the only black writer on the network's staff, and the longer he works under Dunwitty (Michael Rapaport), the loudmouthed executive in charge of programming, the more he's convinced he's made a mistake. Wanting to be fired, Delacroix writes a pilot he imagines is so offensive no network would ever dare to air it: "The ManTan Minstrel Show," in which dancer Man Ray (Savion Glover) and comedian Womack (Tommy Davidson) portray two shiftless dunderheads, ManTan and Sleep 'N Eat -- who are to be played in blackface. To Delacroix's surprise, Dunwitty gives the idea the go-ahead, and to his shock, the show is soon a massive hit. Delacroix is now stuck trying to explain his show to the African-American community, who are generally not amused, especially Sloan Hopkins (Jada Pinkett Smith), his assistant on the staff, who has become involved with Man Ray. In order to give Bamboozled a look that would suit its setting in the world of network television, Spike Lee and cinematographer Ellen Kuras shot the entire film using digital video equipment. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Damon Wayans - Pierre Delacroix
Savion Glover - Manray/Mantan
Jada Pinkett Smith - Sloan Hopkins
Tommy Davidson - Womack/Sleep 'N Eat
Michael Rapaport - Dunwitty

New Line Cinema presents Bamboozled in a 1.75:1 widescreen transfer, with 5.1 Surround Sound. This hard-hitting drama about the making of a modern-day minstrel show (with tragic results) has the distinction of being one of the first theatrical releases shot on Digital Video. In his commentary, director Spike Lee explains how this new technology changed his filming style, giving him the opportunity to use as many as ten or more cameras to shoot a scene, all the while keeping costs at a minimum for this relatively low-budget film. Otherwise, his comments are surprisingly laid back; he has endless compliments for the talented cast, particularly dancer extraordinaire Savion Glover, and gratitude for getting stars Damon Wayans and Jada Pinkett-Smith for his small film. In the "Making of Bamboozled" featurette, the cast returns the favor, speaking of their appreciation of Lee, his working style, and the subject matter. The "Deleted/Alternate Scenes" section contains 19 clips, which have not been transferred to film stock, and therefore retain a grainy look and feel. This DVD release provides a thought-provoking look at racial stereotypes, and an opportunity to explore how DV production may affect future filmmaking. ~ Marina Chavez, All Movie Guide