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| Special Features: |
Full frame format
Chapter selection
Audio commentary by Diahann Carroll, James Earl Jones, Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, George Tilman Jr. and Daniel Pine
English and Spanish Trailers
Sneak Peeks |
| Video Format: |
Pan-And-Scan (1.33:1)
[SS-DL]
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| Languages: |
English (Dolby Digital 2.0) Stereo
English (Dolby Digital 2.0) Mono
Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0) Mono
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| Subtitles: |
English, Spanish.
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| Captions: |
Yes
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| Casing: |
1-Disc Keep Case
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 Diahann Carroll received both Oscar and Golden Globe nominations as Best Actress for her full-blooded performance as the title character in "Claudine." Made at the height of the Blaxploitation film craze, "Claudine" stood out as a mainstream film depicting the day-to-day struggles of a single mother of six. "Claudine" is a great romance movie also. The reason "Claudine" still works today is because the script is very honest. Like many of the great films of the 70s, "Claudine" doesn't wrap everything up in a neat bow. James Earl Jones states on the commentary track that "'Claudine' deals with sentiments, but it isn't sentimental. There is nothing that a good cry will erase. The film leaves you thinking."
Claudine (Diahann Carroll) is a single mother of six. She works as a maid to supplement her welfare. None of her baby's daddies are anywhere in site. Roop Marshall (James Earl Jones) is an educated garbage man. Claudine and Roop have had their eyes on each other for a long time. Both are in their mid-thirties. Both are sexually attracted to each other. Roop sees Claudine as the perfect woman. She wants him and she won't expect him to married her. At least that’s what Roop thinks. Claudine is a sexual creature, but she sure could use some help with the kids.
 Claudine's kids range in age from 4 to 18. Charles (Lawrence Hilton Jacobs) is discouraged by life in the inner city. He has joined an activist group to force the city to provide jobs, not just welfare. Charlene (Tamu Blackwell) sees sex as the way out of her house. She thinks her boyfriend will support her when she gets pregnant. Charlene sees her mother as a hypocrite. Why should she remain chaste when mom's out fooling around? The four younger kids are just hungry for attention.
Claudine and Roop hit it off. The older kids throw up roadblocks, but the younger kids like the idea of having a daddy. The thing is, Roop doesn't want to be a daddy. Of course, love can cause a man to reexamine his beliefs! There is a lot more depth to the story than I've revealed. "Claudine" deals with mature subjects in a straightforward manner. I was struck by how fresh the dialogue was 29 years later. There isn't a false note in the script by Tina and Les Pine. "Claudine" was rare in its day for its portrayal of Black Americans in a non-stereotypical light. The folks in "Claudine" are normal people struggling to survive. "Claudine" is one of the best films from the decade in which the best movies ever made were produced: the 70s! (Do you get tired of me saying that?)
 Great movie. Good picture and sound. Great commentary track. Nice price!
Picture Quality: 7/10
I wish this DVD was presented in widescreen format. I deduct a point automatically for a full-frame format DVD. The colors are rich and well saturated. There is some graininess during a few scenes. There are a couple of artifacts present. Good delineation of colors. Nice detail in the shadows.
Sound Quality: 9/10
"Claudine" boasts a great Curtis Mayfield score performed by Gladys Knight and the Pips. The original mono track is a bit flat. The remastered stereo score is the way to play this DVD! No loss of dialogue. The stereo track also has a nice balance between the ranges.
Menu: 7/10
Funky, yet simple period evoking design. Easy to navigate. No Easter Eggs found.
 Extra Features: 10/10
The commentary track is outstanding. Getting to listen to actors the caliber of James Earl Jones and Diahann Carroll is a treat. Lawrence Hilton Jacobs is no slouch either! EInsiders's newcomer Tony Edwards had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Jacobs. CLICK HERE to read it! Producer/director director George Tillman Jr. (Men of Honor, Barbershop) chimes in concerning the influence of "Claudine" on his life.
The Final Word:
A must have. A vanilla-priced DVD with extras! Great movie, great actors, great price. Forget renting, but this one!
Rusty White
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