Not a Pretty Picture: The Criterion Collection Blu-ray

Blu-ray: Not a Pretty Picture is a Criterion Collection documentary-fiction hybrid directed by Martha Coolidge. Its reenactment and cast discussions address sexual violence, consent, self-blame, and the limits of artistic catharsis. The edition lists a 4K digital restoration and several supplemental features.

At a glance

Blends documentary and fiction in a film centered on a reenactment of Coolidge’s adolescent experience of rape.
Includes a director-approved 4K digital restoration and uncompressed monaural soundtrack.
Additional material includes an interview, a Coolidge documentary, English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, and an essay.

Price

$19.98Save 50%

Reference price: ~~$39.95~~

Price checked: Nov 12, 2026

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Pros and cons

Pros

The edition pairs the feature with a director-approved restoration and several substantive supplements.
Its subject and form offer a focused exploration of consent, self-blame, and representing traumatic experience on screen.

Cons

The film deals directly with sexual violence and traumatic memories, which may not suit viewers seeking lighter material.

Technical specifications

18 specifications

Film and edition
Format	Blu-ray
Genre	Documentary
Director	Martha Coolidge
Runtime	1 hour and 22 minutes
Aspect ratio	1.33:1
Rating	NR (Not Rated)
Release date	August 20, 2024
Studio	The Criterion Collection
Number of discs	1

Language and contributors
Language	English
Contributors	Anne Mundstuk, Jim Carrington, Martha Coolidge, Michele Manenti
Actors	Anne Mundstuk, Jim Carrington, Michele Manenti

Edition features
Restoration and soundtrack	New 4K digital restoration, supervised and approved by director Martha Coolidge, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
Interview	Interview with Coolidge conducted by filmmaker Allison Anders
Bonus film	Old-Fashioned Woman(1974), a documentary by Coolidge about her grandmother
Subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing	English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Essay	An essay by film critic Molly Haskell

Dimensions and installation
Dimensions listed	6.75 x 5.3 x 0.47 inches; 3.36 ounces

What to know before buying

The listing gives the feature runtime as 1 hour and 22 minutes and describes the bonus documentary as Old-Fashioned Woman(1974). A digital-copy expiration date of December 31, 2019 is also listed, so do not assume any digital-copy access is currently usable.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Viewers interested in Martha Coolidge’s early work and documentary-fiction filmmaking.
Criterion collectors seeking a disc with an interview, bonus documentary, and essay.

Less suited to

Viewers who prefer to avoid depictions or discussion of sexual violence and traumatic memories.
Buyers seeking a digital-only edition or expecting a current digital-copy redemption.

Not a Pretty Picture: The Criterion Collection Blu-ray · photo 2 — Additional product photo 2

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.1 / 5 · 3 ratings

5 stars57%57%
4 stars0%0%
3 stars43%43%
2 stars0%0%
1 star0%0%

Only a small aggregate rating sample is supplied, with ratings split between five-star and three-star categories. This indicates differing overall impressions, but provides no review comments or reasons. It cannot establish views about the restoration, supplements, or suitability of the film’s subject matter.

Frequently asked questions

What is Not a Pretty Picture about?

The film combines documentary and fiction, reenacting Coolidge’s experience of rape in adolescence and observing discussions about recreating traumatic memories, consent, and self-blame.

What supplements are listed for this Blu-ray?

The edition lists an interview with Coolidge conducted by Allison Anders, Coolidge’s 1974 documentary Old-Fashioned Woman, English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, and an essay by Molly Haskell.

Does the listing indicate a usable digital copy?

It lists a digital-copy expiration date of December 31, 2019. That date has passed, so current digital-copy access should not be assumed.