Starring: Allan Arbus, Peter Benson, Buddy Butler, Elzbieta Czyzewska, Joe Engler Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Black & White, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Homevision Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: August 01, 2006 Running Time: 85 minutes Theatrical Release Date: July 10, 1969
Description: A hallmark of 1960s radicalism and one of the first major underground films, Robert Downey Sr.'s seminal Putney Swope remains a classic of social satire. After the CEO croaks during a boardroom meeting at a Madison Avenue ad agency, members trying to sabotage each other's chance of winning the top spot each vote for the token black guy, thereby electing Putney Swope. Swope swoops into action, firing them all and replacing them with armed radicals, soul brothers, and sexy red-hot mamas. Re-naming the agency "Truth and Soul," Putney sets about revolutionizing the corporate world of advertising, banning the marketing of products such as cigarettes, alcohol and violent toys. The agency produces raucous, kooky TV spots - offensive, humorous, and, at first, wildly successful. But can "Truth and Soul" last, not only in advertising but within Putney himself?
Amazon.com: If you're looking for a movie that shocked the filmgoing public with its outspoken take on race relations in corporate America circa 1969, look no further than this Robert Downey debut effort. Made on a shoestring in black and white, this film begins with a wonderful moment of racial discomfort. The board of directors at a Madison Avenue ad agency must elect a new chairman, and, in the maneuvering to make sure that enemies don't get votes, all the board members accidentally cast their ballot for the board's token black man, Putney Swope (Arnold Johnson). Swope immediately cleans house and transforms the agency into New York's hippest shop with a Black Power mentality and a willingness to tell previously unspoken truths in advertising. Though it looks dated today, it is a fascinating time capsule of the period and still contains its share of outrageous laughs. --Marshall Fine
Politically incorrect, and then some Not long into "Putney Swope" does one figure out that in no way, shape or form could this film be made today. It is irreverent, politically incorrect to the hilt, evocative of the 1960s and often funny as hell.
When Putney (Arnold Johnson) becomes the chairman of the board of an all-white advertising company, things change. The dialogue is stiltingly absurd but the real "star" is Putney, himself. His other-worldly voice has a raspy and cutting edge charm and he dispenses logic and advice like an edge of a ripsaw. Robert Downey created a masterpiece with "Putney Swope" and even though it won't be everyone's cup of tea, taken in context of the times in which it was made, it is refreshingly candid, downright offensive and wonderfully made.
Doesn't live up to the hype. Based on the reviews on the DVD jacket, I expected this movie to be edgy, and speak more to the ills of racism of corporate america in the 70s. Instead is was just senseless.
What Was I Thinking! When I first saw this movie I must have been on a contact high from the people getting stoned in the "art" theater I saw it in. I thought in 1969 it was brilliant. Then each ensuing decade I would try to watch it at least once every 10 years. Well to my surprise the movie has a consistant nature to it. It gets progressively worse with each viewing! In short; terrible camera work, bad sound, bad acting, bad direction, amateur editing, crass, vulgar, irritating, unfunny, distorted cynical view of life. A waste of Allen Garfield who is the only one who comes away unscathed by this "B" movie (well add a couple of token hot women to that list). Other than that don't waste your life on this "soul song" that hits a very sour note! Disposable art!
Art imitating life I first saw Putney Swope in England in 1970. It's wit, cynicism, and humour knocked me out. As a professional photographer working in Sydney (Australia) in the mid 70s, I tracked down a 16mm print and hired a projector for a Friday night showing to a bunch of friends, mainly art directors in the ad business.
As the movie started an account executive from O&M arriving late, introduced a couple of strangers and settled down to watch. Fifteen minutes later, I noticed they had left. I rang the AE the next morning to find out what happened. He said, "You invite me over to see a movie and then show THAT film? I was with two of the executives from my best client. That film almost lost me the account!" That's when I knew it was REALLY good.
The photographer Marcus Focus in the "go-see" with Putney Swope just cracks me up every time. I've just watched it five times on YouTube.
This is a great film...inspired and still caustic.
Brilliant SATIRE It's satire. The commercials should be a tipoff that the movie was meant in cheerful but pointed poor taste. It's also incredibly low budget and not technically well made at that. Robert Downey lights into several topics. The shamelesss venality of the advertising agencies. Race relations. Stereotypes. Human failings. Part of Downey's point seems to be that blacks are no more or less creative, intelligent, moral or fair than whites. People are people and people worship the almighty dollar and self preservation. The token black boardmember of an advertising agency, Putney Swope, becomes the chairman only because of a mistake born of rascism and condescension. Swope institutes sweeping changes and turns the ad agency from a "white" agency into a "black" agency. Whites are given a taste of their own 350 year old medicine. He makes a few good decisions and lots of terrible decisions; just like the whites used to. Inevitably Swope retreats into saving his own skin at all costs as all people of power under fire eventually do. Watching the interview with Downey is very instructive in understanding what he was trying to accomplish.
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