The Sidney Poitier Collection – DVD Review - CLIPS ADDED!

By June L. Feb 10, 2009, 16:09 GMT

"The Sidney Poitier Collection" includes "Edge Of The City", "Something Of Value", "A Warm December" and "A Patch Of Blue". "Edge Of The City": Two New York City longshoremen Axel Nordmann (John Cassavetes), an Army deserter and Tommy Tyler (Sidney Poitier), an easy-going freight car loader whose growing friendship is threatened by Charles Malik (Jack Warden), a notably repellent punk. "Something Of Value": Peter McKenzie (Rock Hudson) and native boy Kimani ...more

For those of us who grew up in the 1960’s, the name Sydney Poitier is synonymous with good acting and socially conscious stories.  This boxed set of films says it all on the back with “Power.  Prestige.  Presence.  Poitier.”  That is how we felt about his films when they first came to theaters. 

His reputation has been carried through later generations of movie fans watching his groundbreaking performances on video or DVDs.  In this collection there are four of his early and perhaps lesser known films, that are still superb performances and thought provoking stories.

Edge of the City has Sydney Poitier and John Cassavetes as workmen along New York’s crime ridden waterfront.  They attempt to fight the corruption, and display a bond of friendship that is unknown in those times of black/white division.

Circa 1957, the film is presented in widescreen letterbox format, in black and white with a running time of 85 minutes.  It was the directorial debut of Martin Ritt, whose career included a number of socially conscious hits including Hud, Sounder and Norma-Rae.

A Patch of Blue in 1965 was a film that created quite a stir of social consciousness.  It is the story of a young blind white woman Selina D’Arcey (played by Elizabeth Hartman) who is being taught how to live independently by Gordon Ralfe (Sydney Poitier). 

Selina doesn’t know that Gordon is black, and that presents problems in a time and place where color defines just about everything.  Shelley Winters also stars as Selina’s embittered mother, winning her second Oscar for the performance.

A Patch of Blue is presented in widescreen version, black and white, with a running time of 105 minutes.  The film has both English and French audio tracks, and English, French and Spanish subtitles. Special features included on the disc are a commentary by Director Guy Green, Sidney Poitier:  The Legacy Essay, a stills gallery, and Awards Notes.

Something of Value in 1957 was based on a novel by Robert C. Ruark.  It examines the problems between childhood friends Peter McKenzie (Rock Hudson) and Kimani (Sydney Poitier) when their homeland of Kenya is blown apart by the Mau Mau uprising.  Something of Value takes a look at both the injustices that cause men to go to war, and the bitter consequences of the fight.

Something of Value is presented in widescreen format, in color with a running time of 114 minutes.  Included are the theatrical trailer, and the feature is available in both English and French audio and subtitles.

A Warm December is a bit of a departure from the films usually associated with Sydney Poitier.  He directed and starred in the film, which is part love story, part intrigue and mystery.  It is the story of an American widower Dr. Matt Younger (Poitier) who has come to London.  He meets in love Catherine (Esther Anderson) a woman eluding pursuit by a man with a scarred face.  As Dr. Younger helps Catherine, he begins to fall in love with her.

A Warm December was filmed in and around London, and is presented in color, widescreen format with a running time of 101 minutes.  Included on the disc are the theatrical trailer, and subtitles for the main feature in both English and French.

This is a nice boxed set with films in individual keep cases.  The cases are illustrated with stills and production notes on the back covers.  This belongs in Poitier fan’s collections and for anyone who appreciates fine acting.

The Sidney Poitier Collection is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for this version of the DVD in the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.