Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor Sr. was born on December 1, 1940, and died on December 10, 2005. The 65 years between his birth and death were filled with fun, laughter, turmoil, success, and addiction, all of which made their way into his stand-up routine. Case in point, his 1982 movie, Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip, pulls no punches as he discusses searching for his roots on a trip to Africa and setting himself on fire. It is Pryor at his very best and is a lesson in stand-up comedy from one of the best that ever lived. Sony Pictures has lovingly restored this film in 4K and has made it available for purchase at retailers everywhere.
For those who have never seen Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip, here is the description: If Richard Pryor were accused of being the funniest man in America, this film of his incredible stage act would be Exhibit A. It is proof beyond the shadow of a doubt! Shot live at the Hollywood Palladium, the film captures all the excitement, lunacy, and electric force of a Pryor performance. And though he's the only star of this hilarious show, he's never alone on stage. With him is his amazing array of characterizations as he talks about his trip to Africa in search of his roots, his early days playing one-night gigs in Mafia-owned clubs and strip joints, and numerous other outrageous topics. Finally, he talks about Pryor on Fire-a recounting of the accident that nearly took his life-an episode he relates with wit and a touch of poignancy. You'll laugh like you've never laughed before!
However, the above paragraph doesn't adequately describe the brilliance that was Pryor. He could be crass and vulgar, and he could bring people together with his humor while simultaneously calling people out for their racist, antisemitic, and ignorant treatment of others. He often appears on lists of the top comedians ever, and some of the funniest people worldwide credit him with influencing them and their comedy. He leaves behind an incredible legacy, and Sony Pictures does a wonderful job of showcasing one of his best stand-up routines.
Sony has lovingly scanned the original camera negative and upgraded it to 2160p resolution with Dolby Vision video quality. The result is a masterful piece of film that offers detailed clarity from beginning to end. His bright red suit pops with incredible color saturation and rivals the one often worn by old St. Nick.
While the audio is 2.0 split mono, it is DTS-HD, which gives the audio a solid presentation from what the restoration team had to work with. The audio primarily consists of the comedian's rhetoric mixed with the audience's reactions. The result is decent but not overwhelming. The combo pack has one lone extra that is merely a one-minute trailer for the movie. Considering so many comedians credit him with influencing them, it is sad there isn't an extra of famous people singing his praises.
When you watch Pryor doing what he does best, you can't help but notice his timing and delivery. He was incredible and had the entire room cracking up, and he was like that most of the time. He could tackle taboo topics from sex to racism to drug abuse and make it seem as if it was the funniest thing you have ever heard.
Pryor was also a terrific actor and had a string of movie hits, many with Gene Wilder, but his stand-up was legendary, and Richard Pryor: Live on the Sunset Strip is a prime example of his immense talent. If you want to see a legitimately hilarious comedian showcasing his talent, buy this 4K before it sells out.
Grade: B+
