NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Indicator Blu-ray (August 2022): Indicator have transferred Robert Downey Sr.'s Putney Swope to Blu-ray. The presentation is prefaced with a text screen stating: "Putney Swope (1969) was restored by The Academy Film Archive and The Film Foundation with funding provided by the George Lucas Family Foundation" and is cited as a "4K restoration by the Academy Film Archive and the Film Foundation". There was a 2019 Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray available in the US HERE. This came out on DVD in 2012 by Criterion as part of their on their sub-label package Eclipse Series 33: Up All Night with Robert Downey Sr. reviewed HERE. Indicator's 1080P, 1.37:1 transfer, is quite a notch above the older SD that was rendering in 1.78:1. It's tighter, superior contrast with richer black levels and the Truth and Soul's color commercials export deeper colors - as well as showing much more in the larger frame. The Indicator Blu-ray is on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. There are a few marks that appear to be part of the source - otherwise this is a solid HD image.

NOTE: We have added 60 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Indicator use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. Putney Swope doesn't have many aggressive moments. The score is by Charley Cuva - his first of two film compositions credits - the other being Downey Sr.'s "Pound". He composed Sink The Boat (the Putney Swope Theme), Miss Redneck, Violence Is A Cleaning Force and other pieces that run beside the film - usually with a light-hearted tone. It all sounds flat and clean with consistent dialogue in the lossless transfer. Indicator offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Indicator Blu-ray offers the 2001 audio commentary with writer-director Robert Downey Sr. originally on a Rhino Home Video DVD and recycled since. He's pretty forthright explaining why they did most of the scenes in black and white and small details of the production, cast choices and shooting process. He also explains why Arnold Johnson was DUB'ed as had great difficulty memorizing and speaking his lines - as well as how Mel Brooks who plays Mr. Forget-It is not the renowned comedian-filmmaker. There is also a 2019 commentary by film critic and historian Sergio Mims that was on the Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray. He reads review comments by Vincent Canby and follows many anecdotal stories of the film's reception and evolution. It's pretty good. There is also a 1/4 hour, 2001, interview with Robert Downey in conversation on the creation, reception and influence of Putney Swope. There is also a 2019, 20-minute interview with Gerald Cotts produced here as an audio recording of the cinematographer recalling his work on the film. Both of these wee on the Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray. From 2016 is a Film Forum Q&A with Robert Downey Sr. running over 1/2 hour and described as an archival audio recording of the noted provocateur in conversation with Bruce Goldstein at the Film Forum, New York. Lastly, are an original theatrical trailer, a TFH commentary from 2013 as a short critical appreciation by film producer Dan Ireland and an image gallery of promotional and publicity materials. The package has a limited edition exclusive 36-page booklet featuring a new essay by Christina Newland, an archival article on the film originally published in the Los Angeles Free Press, an extensive archival interview about Putney Swope with Robert Downey and filmmaker Jonas Mekas, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and full film credits. 

Robert Downey Sr.'s Putney Swope is a satirical comedy on absurdities and corporate corruption in the advertising world, while also providing satire on Hollywood 's portrayal of race. It's the director's most notable film. Yes, he is the father of, the more famous, actor Robert Downey Jr.  Sr. allowed Jr. to use marijuana at age six which initiated the child to an extensive battle with addictions that he eventually overcame after stints in prison. Robert Downey Sr. passed a little over a year ago of complications from Parkinson's disease. Putney Swope has been inspirational for filmmakers (Paul Thomas Anderson, Jim Jarmusch etc.) and the Indicator Blu-ray package is stacked with the two commentaries, interview etc., and booklet. Certainly recommended!

Gary Tooze