Arrow Video is thrilled to announce the World premiere Blu-ray release of Jack Hill’s Blaxploitation classic Coffy, the film, starring the iconic Pam Grier, would pave the way for other genre classics such as Foxy Brown and later Quentin Tarantino’s homage to the actress, Jackie Brown, with the director describing Coffy as “one of the most entertaining films ever made”.
With Coffy Pam Grier irrevocably changed cinema history, it was her wonderful screen presence and acting chops along with the unflinching faith of her director that would allow a woman in the lead role, a role traditionally filled by a man, giving prominence to female actors in action roles for the first time. It might be fair to say without Coffy we wouldn’t have Sheba Shayne, Ellen Ripley, Sarah Conner, Trinity, Beatrix Kiddo or Hit Girl.
Nurse by day, vigilante by night, on a mission to single-handedly take down the dope, prostitution, and political corruption ring that was plaguing Los Angeles and responsible for turning her 11-year-old sister onto drugs. Equal parts strong, street smart, sexy, and sophisticated, Coffy arrives on Blu-ray in the UK from 20h April 2015.
The latest in a series of director-approved releases from Jack Hill (following Spider Baby, Pit Stop and Foxy Brown) will feature a restored high definition transfer available for the first time on Blu-ray anywhere in the world alongside an audio commentary by writer-director Jack Hill. Various new interviews are featured on this disc including, A Taste of Coffy a brand new interview with Jack Hill, The Baddest Chick in Town!, a brand new interview with Pam Grier in which she discusses both Coffy and its follow up, Foxy Brown.
Mikel J. Koven, author of Blaxploitation Film (Kamera), guides us through Blaxploitation!, a video essay on the genre, its antecedents, development, demise and legacy. Rounding off the Blu-ray is the original theatrical trailer and a gallery, presented in new artwork packaging by Gilles Vranckx, and a collector’s booklet with new writing on the film by critic Cullen Gallagher and a profile of Pam Grier by Yvonne D. Sims, author of Women in Blaxploitation, illustrated with archive stills and posters.
Synopsis
Regarded as one of the best of the Blaxploitation genre along with Shaft and Superfly, Coffy has been described as “one of the most entertaining films ever made” by Quentin Tarantino.
With Coffy Pam Grier was catapulted to stardom and iconic status following solid roles in earlier ‘chicks in chains’ films. Here she plays nurse ‘Coffy’ Coffin seeking vigilante justice when her little sister is hospitalised by a smack pusher. Coffy uses her body, bullets and blades to get justice, working her way to the top of the criminal ring. But as she nears the top she finds the level of corruption is closer to home than she thinks.
When American International Pictures lost the chance to make Cleopatra Jones the studio looked for another project and turned to up and coming B-movie auteur Jack Hill (Spider Baby, Pit Stop). Coffy was such a success that the studio fast tracked Grier’s next movie (Foxy Brown) with Hill straight away.
Special Features
· Restored High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation, on Blu-ray for the first time in the world!
· Original uncompressed mono PCM audio
· Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
· Audio commentary by writer-director Jack Hill
· A Taste of Coffy – A brand new interview with Jack Hill
· The Baddest Chick in Town! – A brand new interview with Pam Grier on Coffy and its follow up, Foxy Brown
· Blaxploitation! – A video essay by author Mikel J. Koven (Blaxploitation Film) on the history and development of the genre
· Original theatrical trailer
· Image Gallery
· Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx
· Booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Cullen Gallagher and a profile of Pam Grier by Yvonne D. Sims, author of Women in Blaxploitation, illustrated with archive stills and posters
