Thanks to Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and Think Jam, we received a review copy of the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital combo pack of the incredibly powerful film Harriet. Read our review of the product below!
For starters, I must say if you haven’t already, you absolutely must see this film. It is an incredible look at a woman who singlehandedly helped hundreds to their freedom. She did so with unheard of courage, strength, grace, and brilliance. Her story is one that’s heard but not nearly enough. A lot know of her name, but don’t truly know her story. As this isn’t a film review, I’ll stop there, and turn my focus to the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital combo pack!
The product here is a lot in one – you get a lot of bang for your buck. This combo pack includes a Blu-ray disc, DVD disc, and a digital code. Literally three methods to watch the film, all in one product! The product itself is very sturdy and has a convenient sleeve for added protection. The poster used for the product portrays the film beautifully, and it really has a powerful effect at first glimpse.
Product synopsis: Follow the inspirational journey of one of the bravest people and heroes in history, Harriet Tubman, as she risks her life to save others from the horrors of slavery in HARRIET, arriving on Digital January 14, 2020 and Blu-ray™️, DVD and On Demand on January 28, 2020 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. With a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes®, HARRIET on Blu-ray™️, DVD and Digital has a variety of compelling bonus features, including deleted scenes, a deeper look into Harriet Tubman’s story, and feature commentary with director and co-writer Kasi Lemmons. The captivating and emotional story of courage, HARRIET has been nominated for two 2020 Golden Globe® awards including Best Actress in a Drama for Cynthia Erivo and Best Original Song for “Stand Up” which was co-written by film star Erivo and Joshuah Campbell. Additionally, the film was nominated for a SAG Award® and a Critics Choice Award, earning a total of three Best Actress nominations.
Multi-award-winning performer Cynthia Erivo (Bad Times at the El Royale, Widows) leads the cast with an exceptionally powerful performance as the titular character with an incredible supporting cast of Tony Award® winner Leslie Odom Jr. (Murder on the Orient Express, Broadway’s Hamilton), Joe Alwyn (Mary Queen of Scots, The Favourite), Janelle Monáe (Hidden Figures, Moonlight) Vodie Curtis Hall (“For the People,” Romeo & Juliet), and Vanessa Bell Calloway (Coming to America, Saints and Sinners). Kasi Lemmons (Eve’s Bayou, Black Nativity,) directs and co-writes the script with producer Gregory Allen Howard (Remember the Titans, Ali). HARRIET is also produced by Debra Martin Chase (The Princess Diaries, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) and Daniela Taplin Lundberg (The Kids Are All Right, Beasts of No Nation).
Film synopsis: Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, HARRIET tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Haunted by memories of those she left behind, Harriet (Erivo) ventures back into dangerous territory on a mission to lead others to freedom. With allies like abolitionist William Still (Odom Jr.) and the entrepreneurial Marie Buchanon (Monáe), Harriet risks capture and death to guide hundreds to safety as one of the most prominent conductors of the Underground Railroad. Witness the story of a woman who defied impossible odds to change the course of her life and the fate of the nation.
FILMMAKERS:
Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn and Janelle Monáe
Co-Producers: Jeffrey Lampert, Rebecca Cammarata
Music By: Terence Blanchard
Costume Designer: Paul Tazwell
Edited By: Wyatt Smith, ACE
Production Designer: Warren Alan Young
Director of Photography: John Toll, ASC
Executive Producers: Josh McLaughlin, Shea Kammer, Nnamdi Asomugha, Bill Benenson, Pen Densham, John Watson, Kristina Kendall, Elizabeth Koch, Charles D. King
Produced by: Debra Martin Chase, Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Gregory Allen Howard
Story By: Gregory Allen Howard
Screenplay by: Gregory Allen Howard and Kasi Lemmons
Directed by: Kasi Lemmons
BLU-RAY™, DVD & DIGITAL BONUS FEATURES:
- Deleted Scenes
- Her Story – Harriet Tubman was one of the strongest women in history, so it’s only right that HARRIETwas shepherded by three strong women filmmakers. Watch as they discuss their experience infusing this story with appropriate courage, compassion, and hope.
- Becoming Harriet – Cynthia Erivo and the rest of the cast join filmmakers in discussing the role of Harriet Tubman and Cynthia’s interpretation of it. From contributing music to the film to finding herself spiritually in the story, Cynthia reveals her personal journey of helping make this film a success.
- Feature Commentary with Co-writer and Director Kasi Lemmons
The special features are always the make-it or break-it aspect of choosing whether to buy a Blu-ray or DVD for me, and in this aspect, Harriet certainly did not disappoint!
Deleted Scenes: There were both new and extended scenes in this feature, and they all are worth watching. Everything we see here takes a little more time with the characters that we love in the film, and add to the trajectory of the story. While I see why they were cut for pacing purposes, they are definitely worth a look as standalone scenes. My favorite deleted scene was of the enemies approaching the church and searching for hidden slaves. They open a secret door on the floor of the church, which thankfully didn’t reveal anything but booze (in that moment), and while watching, not knowing the outcome, I felt my heart rate rise. I thought it was a very poignant moment. Another favorite is a beautiful moment when Harriet first arrives at the new home and is welcomed with a dinner and treated like a guest for probably the first time in her life – the confusion/ shock on her face really resonated with me. Lots more here, and definitely worth the look!
Her Story feature: This feature had interviews with several of the cast and filmmakers. Their words regarding the story and Harriet were all so eloquent and insightful. I’ll do my best to paraphrase some of the moments that stood out to me. They talk about hout Harriet was a superhero woman that existed without limitations. How being an African American woman at that time was the “lowest common denominator” and how important to have a film to truly know an African American woman. Cynthia Erivo and Leslie Odom Jr. spoke about the importance of their characters. The filmmakers spoke about this beautiful moment on set where the weather was poor and they feared the wouldn’t get the shot. Suddenly it cleared up, and there was this moment where they all felt like Harriet was looking down on them. They spoke about the importance of filming in the South, and feeling the story in the location of where it happened. They talked about the powerful moment in the film shot with extras running to their freedom. The inspiration of Harriet, and seeing all sides of her was important to Cynthia Erivo. She is excited to see families share in her strength and talks about the power of it. “Black history is American history,” says Janelle Monae during her interview, and I couldn’t have summed it up better myself!
Becoming Harriet feature: Cynthia Erivo felt so strongly that she did not want to get this wrong. You can really see the sense of responsibility she had to portray this character as best as possible. Producer Debra Chase talks about seeing Cynthia on Broadway in The Color Purple and being so moved thinking, “Oh my God, this is it, she’s Harriet.” They both are the exact same height – 5’3, and both tiny yet carry themselves with confidence. Cynthia talks about having to throw everything she has into this role, and then some. Leslie Odom Jr. has known Cynthia for a long time. They’ve starred on Broadway together, and cool fact – Cynthia is his daughter’s godmother! Janelle Monae said that Cynthia called her personally and asked her to be in the film. All the singing you see from Cynthia in the film was done live. Both Cynthia and Harriet are forces of nature.
The last feature included is the feature commentary with co-writer and director Kasi Lemmons. A lot of great info in this feature, that history and film buffs alike are sure to enjoy!
HARRIET is now available on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital.
- Blu-ray™unleashes the power of your HDTV and is the best way to watch movies at home, featuring 6X the picture resolution of DVD, exclusive extras and theater-quality surround sound.
- Digitallets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.
- MOVIES ANYWHERE is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-ray™️ and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. MOVIES ANYWHERE is only available in the United States. For more information, visit https://moviesanywhere.com.
I’m never very good at understanding all the technical aspects of DVDs or Blu-rays, but I know for some it is very important. Here are the specs for those much more technologically saavy than me:
TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD:
Street Date: January 28, 2020
Selection Number: 62209774 (US) / 62209783 (CDN)
Layers: DVD 9
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 2.39:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: PG-13 for thematic content throughout, violent material and language including racial epithets
Languages/Sound: English, French, Spanish – Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, French, Spanish
Run Time: 2:05:03
Follow all things Harriet online:
Website: http://www.focusfeatures.com/harriet/about
UPHE Website: http://uni.pictures/Harriet
Trailer: http://uni.pictures/HarrietTralier
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harrietfilm/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HarrietFilm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrietfilm/
#HARRIET
We recently were SO lucky to be able to interview a few people from the film – watch our exclusive interviews below with ‘Harriet’ actress Cynthia Erivo and Producer Daniela Taplin Lundberg!
