ADDITION: (June 2018) Kino - Region FREE - Blu-ray: This is described as a "New HD restoration, reconstructed from the original 3/4” U-matic camera tapes, with remastered audio". The production quality is referenced in the Village Voice review HERE as " It was originally shot on tape in 1980, on three-quarter-inch tube-based cameras with automatic irises. Especially when the camera panned or zoomed on “hot spots” of light, it occasionally made images or the people onscreen blurry every time movement happened — known as “ghosting” or “smearing.” That makes this production often feels like a trippy dream you’re intruding on." The 1080P is totally at the mercy of the shooting limitations. For a positive - it does seem to look better in-motion and the second part both looks and sounds marginally clearer - or I could have simply been getting used to it. The grassroots quality actually draws you closer to the film and gives it an undeniable vérité vibe. My advice is not too get too hung-up on the unpolished image weakness - the film is still highly impacting offered in two separate parts on the dual-layered Blu-ray.

Audio is transferred in linear PCM (16-bit) in 2.0 channel mono - described as 'remastered'. Unfortunately, the limitations here may be more pronounced although it wasn't difficult to follow the story and emotions expressed. As I said the second part actually improves in this area although optional English subtitles would have been an excellent idea. The score is credited to Carman Moore and I thought it worked exceptionally well within the narrative. He has a website HERE.

Supplements are loaded with the 40-minute previously unseen 'Preliminary Version', directed by Bill Gunn in 1979 - for those who are curious - plus seven deleted scenes of about 25-minute, two extended scenes running about 9-minutes, the original six-part radio drama from 1977 - almost 3-hours long plus a piece entitled Continuing a Tradition with interviews of creators Ishmael Reed, Steve Cannon, and actor Sam Waymon. There is also a trailer and 1/4 hour's worth of 'Q&A footage' from the restoration premiere (2018). The package has a liner notes booklet with “Improvisation Jamming,” an essay by Nicholas Forster on the production and release of the film.

I'm really glad I watched this and loved the feeling that I was exposing myself to something seen by so few. The rough-hewn expression of Personal Problems has the magical reality effect not dissimilar to Altman. I suspect I will watch this again when the memory of it fades - but that may be while. I was impacted and recommend this to any individuals remotely open and interested. Thanks Kino!   

Gary W. Tooze