Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2557 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-05-31
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 78 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Though Richard Pryor: Live in Concert was recorded (and released) in 1979, it took 25 years for the DVD to finally get a UK release. And, while it's tempting to look for a conspiracy involving Chris Rock and Eddie Murphy, who could have used their influence to delay this release for fear of the world realising where they got their schtick, the reality is this DVD was worth the wait. Not only has the entire concert been restored and remastered, they've also included a whole heap of extras. There's some footage of some of Pryor's early stand-up (hard to believe that the potty-mouthed comic started out as tame as Bill Cosby), footage from Pryor's doomed-from-the-start television show (an ill-thought-out prospect, really, considering the conservative nature of American TV) and a biographical booklet. So, it's definitely a value-for-money DVD (especially when you consider the relatively short running-time of the main feature).

Of course, the star of this show is the original feature: Richard Pryor's full stand-up routine, recorded live in the 1970s. With his star firmly in the ascendant, Pryor was on fire, and his performance soon became a comedic legend. His style is casual and conversational--fundamentally, he's an excellent storyteller, and he has a knack for finding comedy inside of tragedy. At the time, his raunchy subject matter and use (some said "overuse") of, ahem, naughty words came as quite a shock to audiences, but Pryor went on to influence dozens of comedians to follow (in the process, becoming the highest ever paid comedian by the end of the 1970s). Richard Pryor: Live in Concert is a legendary performance by a legendary comedian, and an essential touchstone for modern comedy. --Robert Burrow

Special Features

• Pryor Knowledge - 3000 word booklet
  
• Birth Of A Legend - early stand-up footage from 1971
  
• Footage from the NBC TV specials
  
• The new generation of urban comics

DVD Technical Information:

• Running Time: 78 mins
  
• Region Code: 2

Synopsis
LIVE IN CONCERT is Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor III's funniest performance. His tough background, being abandoned by his mother at the age of 10, his battles with racism, drugs and sexual addiction, a handful of wives and children have given him sufficient ammunition for his acerbic wit and wisdom. One of the first to freely use bad language, inspiring another generation of comedians like Eddie Murphy, this 1978 recording captures the man in finest form.

Customer Reviews

Extremely funny
I don't have the DVD, but I have the original televised concert taped. It was unbelievable. I absolutely peed myself laughing. He was a fantasitc storyteller. The stories about being disciplined by his dad and grandma were hilarious. When he talked about his stepmothers funeral, he reminded us that awful things in life still have the power to make you laugh. But the absolute best bit was the sex at the end. There will never be anyone bigger or better than Richard Pryor. RIP

FUNNIEST COMEDIAN EVER !!
I have seen many stand up comedians but by far pryor is the best and out of all i think this is his finest performance. and from then on black comedians like eddie murphy jamie foxx chris rock and so on have tried to perform like him.He brings his life and past on stage for all to see and makes it funny.In my eyes if u wanna laugh BUY this dvd u wont be dissapointed.

As good as it gets
Although some of his films (Stir Crazy and Hear No Evil... in particular) hint at the comedic genius of Richard Pryor he is funniest in stand-up, and until the release of this DVD there was precious little available on Region 2 DVD.

Is it offensive? Well, I'm not offended by it, and while I can understand that some people might be, they're not the type of people who would impulsively purchase this DVD, so what the hell? And anyway, no-one (not even Bill Cosby if you believe Eddie Murphy) is going to stop Pryor saying what he wants to say of stage, and that's what makes this material so great. People who have been turned off by other comedians who take this approach need not fear Pryor, however. Whereas Bill Hicks, Sam Kinison and George Carlin might be too in-your-face for some, this show is every bit as thought-provoking as anything done by these three without ever provoking anger or outrage.

Most importantly, the material is funny. Very funny indeed. So funny that by the time you've watched it all you will probably be in pain. You can't remain in any way dignified when watching Pryor at work, so don't even try - just laugh until you drop.

Make no mistake, Pryor is at the very top of the Premier League of comedians and, at a time something as banal and mediocre as Peter Kaye is considered cutting edge stand-up, we need this stuff more than ever.