HOTTER 'N' COFFY MEANER 'N' FOXY BROWN!Fresh off her career defining roles for Jack Hill in Coffy and Foxy Brown, Pam Grier returned to pure Blaxploitation (after turns in Blaxploitation-horror and action), in cult filmmaker William Girdler's (The Manitou, Abby) 'Sheba, Baby'...Grier plays Sheba Shayne, a private eye based in Chicago who is called to her hometown to stop the local mob boss (played by "that bad D'Urville Martin", Black Caesar, Dolemite) from moving in on her father's loan business. Aided by her father's partner, Brick Williams (Austin Stoker, Assault on Precinct 13, Battle for the Planet of the Apes), Sheba finds out that the violent thugs aren't going go away with a fight. Car bombs, gun fights and boat chases ensue whilst armed with her curves, street smarts and a .44, Sheba is in for a bloodbath!Grier would appear in three Blaxploitation classics in 1975 (the others were Bucktown and Friday Foster), where she was at the top of her game and genre, with the Los Angeles Times calling her "cool, tough and glamorous - a female fantasy Wonder Woman", further cementing her status as the first female action star.SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentationsOriginal mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearingAudio commentary with producer-screenwriter David Sheldon, moderated by critic Nathaniel ThompsonSheldon: Baby - a brand new interview with David SheldonPam Grier: The AIP Years - a look over the wonder years of the Blaxploitation queen with film historian Chris PoggialiTrailerGallery featuring rare publicity images and Lobby CardsReversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sean PhillipsBooklet featuring brand new writing on the film by Patty Breen, webmaster of WilliamGirdler.com, illustrated with archive stills and posters
Y**S
RIGHT ON - SUPER
NICE BLACKEXPLOITATION MOVIEWHEN WILL SUPERFLY COME OUT ON DVD OR BLURAY - REGION 2????
F**R
the extras are interesting
Personally I think this is the worst of pam griers films ---- the script is really poor and lets face it you watch these films to see Pam dressed and undressed and she looks far better in the earlier films.
A**N
Four Stars
Hi good day the P & A Very Good.
M**.
Amazing Arrow
Amazing once again from Arrow Video
M**V
PAM GRIER IS HOT
The item came really fast, in perfect condition.Everything is as described. The story is great - real classic blacksploitation ,picture quality is perfect.100 % entertainment.PAM GRIER is hot as hell.ARROW edition is GREAT.The price is cheap so, don't hesitate - BUY IT NOW!
D**N
Flawless presentation of another Grier classic
Arrow’s commitment to Pam Grier and her Blaxploitation films of the seventies continues with their latest package Sheba, Baby (1975). By the arrival of the mid-seventies Grier was at the top of her game, coming off such genre classics as Coffy (1973) and Foxy Brown (1974) both directed by Jack Hill and both of which are also available in superb releases from Arrow. Grier’s work for AIP continued in explosive, fashionable style with Sheba, Baby and with new director William Girdler at the helm. Sheba is without doubt a star vehicle that was tailor made for exploiting Grier’s talents.Sheba Shayne is a Chicago private eye who receives a telegram informing her of trouble in her hometown of Louisville. The local mob boss, Pilot (D'Urville Martin) has started to turn up the heat in trying to obtain her father’s loan business. Along with her father Andy (Rudy Challenger), the business is run by his partner Brick Williams (Austin Stoker), an instantly recognisable actor and best known perhaps as Lt. Ethan Bishop from John Carpenter's cult classic Assault on Precinct 13 (1976). After several threats and a near fatal car bomb, Sheba soon realises that the situation is becoming desperately out of control.Despite a few shaky moments in the script (credited to director Girdler and producer David Sheldon), the film is carried in every respect by Grier’s scintillating screen presence, she truly bosses the film, and looks fantastic in every frame. It’s a film that should be enjoyed without too much scrutinising, accept it purely on its surface level and you’ll find yourself smiling a whole lot and lapping up the action. If your intention is to analyse it, then forget it, continuity of dates, Sheba’s small quantity of luggage (there’s a costume change in practically every scene), then you’ll be missing out on the action and overlooking its pure entertainment value. The action scenes are plentiful and arrive fast and furious. Was this film actually rated as PG upon its release? Look out for the car that spins wildly off a grass verge, then look again to see how it misses Grier (on the assumption it was her and not a stunt double) by a matter of inches. It is a pure adrenalin pumping sequence. Yes, the film might be considered as routine and stereotypical, even offensive in relation to its language (the ‘N’ word raises its ugly head on several occasions), and the mob are of course pimped to the max. But you’d be wise to let it go, this is after all a product of its time, and yes, it was almost considered as socially tolerated in the more discriminate social culture of the seventies.Arrow’s 1080p presentation of Sheba, Baby can only be described as flawless. The picture quality is as near to pristine as you could ever wish. Whist it retains a generic low budget look, its colour grading delivers both a natural look and just enough enhancement to emphasise those wonderful vivid colours of the fashions and the times. The whole look manages to achieve a perfect balance. Check out the film’s opening credits, the pin sharp yellow lettering almost pops out from the screen. If they look familiar, you might just make the comparison with Jackie Brown (1997), as director Quentin Tarantino uses the exact same colour and font for his own Pam Grier movie. It’s not only homage, but a deeper example of how Tarantino holds these movies so close to his heart. The Blu-ray audio (Original mono uncompressed PCM) is clean and clear throughout, and allows the film’s soulful score (by Alex Brown and Monk Higgins) to become an integral part of the experience. There are also a couple of great vocals tracks (including the theme) provided by the American R&B/soul singer Barbara Mason.Arrow’s bonus material is both enjoyable and generous. Firstly, there are two audio commentaries, the first featuring producer-screenwriter David Sheldon and is moderated by critic Nathaniel Thompson. The second is provided by Patty Breen the webmaster of WilliamGirdler.com. Breen’s commentary is actually a great deal of fun; it’s a completely relaxed ‘fan’ style narration. Whilst Breen can’t help having fun with the film’s flaws and inconsistencies, it is never in malice and it’s clear she absolutely adores every aspect of the movie.Sheldon: Baby (15mins) is a brand new interview with David Sheldon who discusses his role and his experience working on the movie and alongside director William Girdler. Pam Grier: The AIP Years (12mins) does exactly what it says on the tin and takes a look over the wonder years of the Blaxploitation queen with film historian Chris Poggiali. The original theatrical trailer (2mins) and a selection of publicity shots and lobby cards rounds off a very nice collection of bonus material.Arrow’s packaging consists of a reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sean Phillips, while the booklet features brand new writing on the film by Patty Breen and is illustrated with both archive stills and posters.Overall, Sheba, baby is an excellent package and one that leaves us in hope that Arrow will continue to explore Grier’s later American international Pictures such as Bucktown (1975) and Friday Foster (1975). There’s little doubt that they would certainly be welcomed and appreciated with open arms.Technical Spec: Region: Region A/B Blu-ray / DVD 1/2, Rating: 15, Cat No: FCD1210, Duration: 90 mins, Language: English, Subtitles: English SDH, Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1, Audio: Mono, Discs: 2, ColourDarren Allison, Cinema Retro Magazine
T**Y
SELLOUT OR BE KILLED
This was Pam Grier's final blaxploitation film. By now she had stopped doing nude scenes. Pam returns home to find her dad being muscled out of business by some thugs. She springs into action against them. What I like about this film is that it captured the era so well. The large automobiles, the colorful clothes with wide lapels, and the prices for fast food burgers. Pam apparently does her own stunts. The scenes of her running and shooting a gun are comical by today's standards. Pam "runs like a girl" which is unlike tough women in the films today. She also runs around trains, cars, and buildings instead of jumping on roof tops.As a regular film, it is somewhat of a let down, especially compared to Pam's other works such as Coffy, The Big Bird Cage Women in Cages, The Big Doll House, and Scream Blacula Scream.No f-bombs, not much in the sex and nudity department.
Trustpilot
1 month ago
5 days ago