Blu-ray Review: HBO Telefilm Releases Mark Black History Month

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CHICAGO – With the success of “Red Tails,” currently in theaters, movie goers may want another, less Lucasversed take on the same story and could get it with one part of the three-movie wave of releases from HBO Home Video meant to celebrate Black History Month — “The Tuskegee Airmen,” which just hit the format with “Thurgood” and “The Josephine Baker Story.”

Blu-ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

“Mildred Pierce” is only the latest in a LONG string of award-winning telefilms produced by HBO. Twenty years ago (God, I feel old), “The Josephine Baker Story” won an incredible five Emmys, including Outstanding Lead Actress for the great title turn by Lynn Whitfield. Four years later, “The Tuskegee Airmen” with Laurence Fishburne, Andre Braugher, and Cuba Gooding Jr. would win three Emmys itself and was nominated for an amazing seven more. And last February, the trend continued as “Thurgood” was very highly acclaimed and notched three Emmy Award nominations. All three are true stories and the kind of works around which an understanding of the purpose of Black History Month could be based. Show ‘em to your kids (although be warned that “Baker” is a little risque for the wee ones). You won’t regret it.

Before we go, it is a bit of shame that these releases are so bare-bones. “Josephine Baker” has some imported special features but the Fishburne films are devoid of bonus material. Boo.

The Josephine Baker Story
Photo credit: HBO

“The Josephine Baker Story”

Synopsis:
Outrageous, shocking, sensational - Josephine Baker (Lynn Whitfield) was born poor, but achieved fame and fortune through her sizzlingly exotic and erotic performances. Starting life on the American Vaudeville circuit, success takes Josephine to Paris where her semi-nude dancing causes an international sensation. Through her marriages to an Italian pseudo-count (Ruben Blades) and orchestra leader (David Dukes), to her bond with army officer Sidney Williams (Louis Gossett, Jr.), Josephine’s life is a roller coaster ride of love and rejection from both her lovers and her country. But semi-nude, or head-to-toe in sequins; in battle fatigues or rags - her beauty and ambition ensured that Josephine Baker will always be remembered as the first, and possibly most loved, truly international star.

Special Features:
o Audio Commentary

Thurgood Photo credit: HBO

“Thurgood”

Synopsis: Thurgood is the remarkable celebration of the life and legacy of Civil rights advocate and Supreme Court pioneer Thurgood Marshall, the first African American appointed to the nation’s highest judicial bench. Filmed before a live audience at the Kennedy Center’s Eisenhower Theater, this compelling one-man play written by Peabody Award and Emmy Award winner George Stevens, Jr. and directed by Emmy Award winner Michael Stevens stars the Emmy Award and Tony Award-winning actor Laurence Fishburne (The Tuskegee Airmen), beautifully captures the scope of Marshall’s epic journey, weaving a captivating life story filled with unique insight, humor, warmth and wisdom.

“The Tuskegee Airmen”

Synopsis: Fireballs of high speed air action explode off the screen in this exciting story of the “Fighting 99th” - the first squadron of black American pilots to be allowed to fight for their country.

It is 1943 and the Germans are winning the Second World War as the U.S. suffers huge losses on the ground and in the air. Four newly recruited pilots are united by a desire to serve their country, at a time when black flyers are not welcomed in the Air Force. Now, through the brutal demands of their training, to the perils of flying over nations at war, the men they call “The Tuskegee Airmen” must undertake the riskiest mission of their lives - to prove to America that courage knows no color. Their success could earn them respect, save lives and help win a terrible war. Their failure could destroy more hopes and dreams than their own.

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com