Meet Joe Black

Director: Martin Brest Martin Brest

Overview

"Martin Brest's romantic fantasy Meet Joe Black comes to DVD with this double-disc set from Universal. The film is presented in a widescreen anamorphic transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. English soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1, and a French soundtrack has been recorded in Dolby Digital 5.1. Spanish and French subtitles are accessible, and the English soundtracks are closed-captioned. The second disc in this package contains the feature-length film Death Takes a Holiday, which was the inspiration for Meet Joe Black. Death Takes a Holiday is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1. English soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. Supplemental materials include production notes, trailers, a pedestrian making-of featurette, and a still photo gallery. Those with a DVD-ROM drive can access the film's website and can compare the script to the final image in the film. This is a great disc."

Product Details

Release Date:	06/11/2002
UPC:	0025192053122
Original Release:	1998
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	STUDIO DISTRIBUTION SERVS LLC
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, Dolby Digital Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	3:00:00
Sales rank:	4,562

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Brad Pitt	Joe Black
Anthony Hopkins	William Parrish
Claire Forlani	Susan Parrish
Jake Weber	Drew
Marcia Gay Harden	Allison
Jeffrey Tambor	Quince
David S. Howard	Eddie Sloane
Lois Kelly-Miller	Kobieta z Jamajki
Jahnni St. John	Córka kobiety z Jamajki
Richard Clarke	Lokaj
Marylouise Burke	Lillian
Diane Kagan	Jennifer
June Squibb	Helen
Gene Canfield	Actor
Suzanne Hevner	Actor
Steve Coats	Actor
Madeline N. Balmaceda	Actor
Julie Lund	Actor
Kay Gaffney	Actor
Anthony Kane	Actor
Joe H. Lamb	Actor
Robert C. Lee	Actor
Jim Taylor McNickle	Actor
Hardy Phippen Jr.	Actor
Stephen Adly-Guirgis	Actor
Leo Marks	Actor
Michelle Youell	Actor
Gene Leverone	Actor
Thomas Newman	Composer

Technical Credits

Ron Osborn

Jeff Reno

Kevin Wade

Bo Goldman

Walter Ferris

Martin Brest	Director,Producer
Ron Osborn	Screenwriter
Jeff Reno	Screenwriter
Kevin Wade	Screenwriter
Bo Goldman	Screenwriter
Connie Brink	Special Effects
Buddy Joe Hooker	Stunts
Ellen Lewis	Casting
Ronald L. Schwary	Executive Producer
Juliet Taylor	Casting
Bill Anagnos	Stunts
Ron Bartlett	Sound Effects
Industrial Light & Magic	Special Effects
Walter Ferris	Screenwriter
Danny Michael	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

Even the Grim Reaper deserves a break now and then, and in this provocative drama he assumes mortal form to do just that. Death assumes the body of the recently departed Joe Black in order to move among mortals; and in the title role, Brad Pitt's quiet dignity and unassuming grace carry the movie's fanciful premise. He insinuates himself into the household of his next victim, wealthy industrialist Anthony Hopkins, and as he gradually embraces human emotion, Joe/Death falls hard for Hopkins's daughter (Claire Forlani). Joe Black's script, loosely adapted from the 1934 film Death Takes a Holiday, incorporates several subplots and a plethora of supporting characters, all of which are adroitly juggled by director Martin Brest (Scent of a Woman). The film runs fully three hours, but its length is justified as Brest unravels myriad plot threads and Pitt and Hopkins deliver textured, captivating performances. Unjustly panned by some at the time of its theatrical release, Meet Joe Black tackles an intriguing theme with uncommon sobriety and beguiling charm, and thus is eminently worthy of reevaluation.