Mon Feb 17 01:20:00 UTC 2025: **Lost Film Featuring James Earl Jones and Lynn Redgrave Finally Gets Release After 25 Years**
LOS ANGELES — After a quarter-century delay, Charles Burnett’s acclaimed comedy “The Annihilation of Fish” is finally receiving a limited theatrical release. The film, starring the late James Earl Jones and Lynn Redgrave, was initially hampered by negative reviews that prevented it from securing a distributor.
Burnett, a celebrated independent filmmaker known for his portrayals of working-class Black families in Los Angeles, saw his earlier work, including the acclaimed “Killer of Sheep,” achieve belated recognition. “The Annihilation of Fish,” however, faced a different kind of obstacle. A negative Variety review is cited as the reason the film languished for years.
The film’s release is thanks to the collaborative restoration efforts of the UCLA Film & Television Archive, The Film Foundation, and Milestone Films. The restored version showcases the talents of Jones (in one of his final roles), Redgrave, and Margot Kidder.
“The Annihilation of Fish” features Jones as Fish, a Jamaican-American man recently released from a mental institution, who wrestles with a visible demon. Redgrave plays Poinsettia, a San Francisco woman with a vibrant fantasy life. Their paths cross when Poinsettia moves into a boarding house across from Fish, leading to an unexpected friendship and romance. The film explores their eccentric personalities and the blossoming relationship between them, highlighting their aging and the complexities of their interracial romance without dwelling on the obstacles.
The film’s charm, according to critics, stems from the undeniable chemistry between Jones and Redgrave, a testament to Burnett’s ability to portray unconventional characters and their heartwarming connection. The film is a testament to the power of perseverance, highlighting how a film can overcome initial setbacks and finally find its deserved audience.
First Piper 