Pre-Order The Annihilation of Fish (1999) (Blu-ray) Available for Preorder (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

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https://www.amazon.com/The-Annihila...ws-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[Robert Harris]

I love it when a terrific work is re-appraised and finally finds its place in the sun.

Kudos to Milestone and Kino!

The Annihilation of Fish movie review (2025) | Roger Ebert

This film is the essence of what makes Burnett’s hold on the American mythos peerless and exceptional.

www.rogerebert.com

 

[MarkantonyII]

Such a sad indictment of 21st-century film handling when a film from 1999 requires a restoration

 

[Sam Posten]

I thought this was a Barney Miller spin off

 

[Ronald Epstein]

CHARLES BURNETT'S LONG-LOST COMEDY STARRING JAMES EARL JONES AND LYNN REDGRAVE IN NEW 4K RESTORATION Available to Own on Blu-ray and DVD June 17 Packed with Bonus Features including New Audio Commentary and Q&A with Director Charles Burnett and "The Final Insult" (1997) Also Available Digitally on Major TVOD Platforms including AppleTV, Amazon Prime, Google Play and Fandango at Home beginning June 17 Restored by UCLA Film & Television Archive and The Film Foundation in collaboration with Milestone Films. Funding provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation.​

WATCH NEW TRAILER​

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“One of the ten best movies of 2025! It’s a story about two people who find each other, and while love stories are often irresistible, what distinguishes this one is the tenderness of Burnett’s touch and the generosity of his worldview." – Manohla Dargis, The New York Times “Burnett has made a simple yet beguiling film about how two imperfect people can find a kind of perfection in each other's company — and how sometimes in life, and in the movies, good things do come to those who wait.” – Justin Chang, NPR “It’s obvious this film is the essence of what makes Burnett’s hold on the American mythos peerless and exceptional. At every turn, “The Annihilation of Fish” is wonderfully surprising.” – Robert Daniels, RogerEbert.com “A complete charmer: a masterwork of tonal control that deserves to be reckoned with as much more than an archival curiosity.” – J. Kim Murphy, Variety “The most romantic film of the year…a tender, eccentric love story” – Katie Rife, Letterboxd Journal​

“Charles Burnett is one of the finest filmmakers in this country. His pictures speak in a cinematic voice that is uniquely and completely his own. For much too long, The Annihilation of Fish has been in limbo. It took many years and endless persistence to rescue this beautiful, delicate picture..." – Martin Scorsese​ Milestone Films and Kino Lorber are proud to announce the Blu-ray and DVD release of the new 4K restoration of Charles Burnett’s long-lost feature, The Annihilation of Fish, starring James Earl Jones, Lynn Redgrave, and Margot Kidder. The restoration was carried out by UCLA Film & Television Archive and The Film Foundation in collaboration with Milestone Films, with funding provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation. The Annihilation of Fish was named as one of the best films of 2025 so far by the New York Times. THE ANNIHILATION OF FISH becomes available on Blu-ray and DVD June 17. ​ The SRP for the Blu-ray is $29.95, and $19.95 for the DVD. Bonus features include a new audio commentary by director Charles Burnett moderated by film scholar Maya Cade; The Final Insult (1997, directed by Charles Burnett, 55 minutes); Q&A with director Charles Burnett moderated by film scholar Racquel Gates; and the re-release trailer. The Annihilation of Fish will also become available digitally on major TVOD platforms including AppleTV, Amazon Prime, Google Play, and Fandango at Home. In Charles Burnett's long-awaited 1999 comedic masterpiece, The Annihilation of Fish, Obediah "Fish" Johnson (James Earl Jones) is an aging Jamaican widower who has spent decades wrestling an invisible demon named Hank. De-institutionalized, he takes a bus to Los Angeles and finds lodging in the eccentric boarding house of Mrs. Muldroone (Margot Kidder). There Fish meets Poinsettia (Lynn Redgrave), who has moved from San Francisco, fleeing her spurned long-dead fiancé, composer Giacomo Puccini. The two lodgers become friends, playing endless games of gin that Poinsettia always wins. Fish persuades her to referee his demonic wrestling matches — Hank does not fight fair...​ Restoration Credits: Restored by UCLA Film & Television Archive and The Film Foundation in collaboration with Milestone Films. Funding provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation. Restored from the 35mm original picture negative and 35mm optical track negative. Laboratory services by Roundabout Entertainment, Inc., FotoKem, Audio Mechanics, Simon Daniel Sound. Special thanks to Charles Burnett, John Demps, Dennis Doros, Amy Heller. UCLA Restorationist: Jillian Borders. The Annihilation of Fish Blu-ray and DVD Street Date: June 17, 2025 Blu-ray SRP: $29.95 DVD SRP: $19.95 Director: Charles Burnett Starring James Earl Jones, Lynn Redgrave, Margot Kidder Bonus Features:​ NEW Audio Commentary by Director Charles Burnett moderated by film scholar Maya Cade The Final Insult (1997, directed by Charles Burnett, 55 minutes) Q&A with Director Charles Burnett moderated by film scholar Racquel Gates Re-Release Trailer ​

1999 / Color / 108 min / United States / English​