Product Description

A hallmark of 1960s radicalism and one of the first major underground films Robert Downey Sr.'s seminal Putney Swope remains a classic of social satire. After the CEO croaks during a boardroom meeting at a Madison Avenue ad agency members trying to sabotage each other's chance of winning the top spot each vote for the token black guy thereby electing Putney Swope. Swope swoops into action firing them all and replacing them with armed radicals soul brothers and sexy red-hot mamas. Re-naming the agency "Truth and Soul" Putney sets about revolutionizing the corporate world of advertising banning the marketing of products such as cigarettes alcohol and violent toys. The agency produces raucous kooky TV spots - offensive humorous and at first wildly successful. But can "Truth and Soul" last not only in advertising but within Putney himself?System Requirements:Running Time 84 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: R UPC: 014381315929 Manufacturer No: HVE3159DVD

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16323 in DVD
• Brand: Image Entertainment
• Released on: 2006-08-01
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: Black & White, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .5 pounds
• Running time: 85 minutes

Amazon.com
If you're looking for a movie that shocked the filmgoing public with its outspoken take on race relations in corporate America circa 1969, look no further than this Robert Downey debut effort. Made on a shoestring in black and white, this film begins with a wonderful moment of racial discomfort. The board of directors at a Madison Avenue ad agency must elect a new chairman, and, in the maneuvering to make sure that enemies don't get votes, all the board members accidentally cast their ballot for the board's token black man, Putney Swope (Arnold Johnson). Swope immediately cleans house and transforms the agency into New York's hippest shop with a Black Power mentality and a willingness to tell previously unspoken truths in advertising. Though it looks dated today, it is a fascinating time capsule of the period and still contains its share of outrageous laughs. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews

Politically incorrect, and then some
Not long into "Putney Swope" does one figure out that in no way, shape or form could this film be made today. It is irreverent, politically incorrect to the hilt, evocative of the 1960s and often funny as hell.

When Putney (Arnold Johnson) becomes the chairman of the board of an all-white advertising company, things change. The dialogue is stiltingly absurd but the real "star" is Putney, himself. His other-worldly voice has a raspy and cutting edge charm and he dispenses logic and advice like an edge of a ripsaw. Robert Downey created a masterpiece with "Putney Swope" and even though it won't be everyone's cup of tea, taken in context of the times in which it was made, it is refreshingly candid, downright offensive and wonderfully made.

Doesn't live up to the hype.
Based on the reviews on the DVD jacket, I expected this movie to be edgy, and speak more to the ills of racism of corporate america in the 70s. Instead is was just senseless.

What Was I Thinking!
When I first saw this movie I must have been on a contact high from the people getting stoned in the "art" theater I saw it in. I thought in 1969 it was brilliant. Then each ensuing decade I would try to watch it at least once every 10 years. Well to my surprise the movie has a consistant nature to it. It gets progressively worse with each viewing! In short; terrible camera work, bad sound, bad acting, bad direction, amateur editing, crass, vulgar, irritating, unfunny, distorted cynical view of life. A waste of Allen Garfield who is the only one who comes away unscathed by this "B" movie (well add a couple of token hot women to that list). Other than that don't waste your life on this "soul song" that hits a very sour note! Disposable art!