Product Details

• Actors: Eddie Murphy, Tatyana Ali, Billie Allen, James Brown III, Eyde Byrde
• Directors: Robert Townsend
• Writers: Eddie Murphy, Keenen Ivory Wayans
• Producers: Eddie Murphy, Jeffrey Chernov, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Richard Tienken, Robert D. Wachs
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Paramount
• VHS Release Date: September 22, 1999
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6300989011
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #8,752 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  #10 in	Video > Comedy > Comedy Stars > Eddie Murphy
  #10 in	Video > African American Cinema > Comedy
  #12 in	Video > Comedy > Stand-Up

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video
The audacious concert film Eddie Murphy Raw rubbed some people the wrong way upon its release in 1987, but there's no denying that between Murphy's more insensitive bits about women and gay men is some of his most inspired material. While the young comedian indulges an unattractive homophobia and rants about the sexual manipulativeness of all females, he makes up for it with an amazing story about being chided by Bill Cosby for obscene humor and does a great impression of Mr. T falling under the spell of a Jedi mind trick. The best stuff comes deep into the show, particularly a long tale of being pressured into a fight at a club, resulting in a phone call to Murphy's drunk father, the latter in the middle of a verbal attack on his wife. The scene is genuinely horrifying and funny, testament to Murphy's early reputation as heir to Richard Pryor's mercilessly autobiographical brilliance. --Tom Keogh

Product Description
The record-setting number one concert film, EDDIE MURPHY: RAW shows Eddie Murphy doing what he does best: making people laugh. Filmed live at New York's Felt Forum, Murphy delights, shocks, and entertains with celebrity impersonations, observations on 'love, sex and marriage in the 80's, a remembrance of Mom's hamburgers and much more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The guy from New Mexico doesn't know what he's talking about, August 26, 1999

By A Customer

Not only does this guy not know anything about comedy, but obviously has no sense at all, since he agrees with Leonard Maltin. While I'll say that I liked "Delirious" more than "Raw," they are both utter classics. I can watch them a near infinate amount of times, or just listen to his 3 comedy cd's. New Mexico man says that all Raw is, is Eddie using the F-word a lot. Well, New Mexico, have you seen any comedy inthe last 30 years? all the comedians use the F-word too much. But the difference with "Raw" is that it is used in context, and it doesn't dampen the effect of the rest of the comedy. New Mexico man should consider going back and reviewing "Raw" and maybe trying to look around on Amazon auctions for a sense of humor

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stand-Up Comedy At Its' Best, July 27, 2000

By	Luis Hernandez (New York, New York, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

In the same tradition of raunchy stand up comedy kings such as Richard Pryor and Red Foxx, Eddie Murphy's comedy pokes fun at many groups and celebrities. Filmed at the height of Eddie's status as the world's biggest film star (while on contract with Paramount), "Raw" is an hour and a half of hysterical impersonations and skits.

Written by comedy star/director Keenan Ivory Wayans ("Scary Movie"; "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka"; television's "In Living Color") and directed by Robert Townsend ("Meteor Man"; "Hollywood Shuffle"), Raw's highlights include Eddie's trip to San Francisco (where he is greeted at the aiport by flamboyant gay men), his trouble with women, and celebrity put downs.

The most memorable skit in this film probably has to be Eddie's imaginary wedding to an African tribal woman who gets corrupted by American women upon her arrival to the U.S. "Unfoofoo" (his African wife's name) and Eddie's discussion of how he met her made me laugh out loud. Truly, only a comedy genius could have thought of such a funny skit.

Although not a film for young kids due to its' use of foul language and discussion of sexual situations, the film showcased Murphy at his best, long before his string of family oriented films ("Dr. Doolittle" "Nutty Professor"). While there is a new king when it comes to raunchy comedy nowadays (Chris Rock) Eddie still remains one of the best. "Raw" is a showcase of great comedic writing and performance.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the funniest things I have every watched, April 23, 2002

By	Kirk R Mix (Belmont, MA United States) - See all my reviews

If you've never seen this you should. Both Eddie Murphy Raw, and Delirious will keep you laughing the entire time. My wife and I have seen this on VHS at least 20 times, and would love to own it on DVD. I just wish he had done a few more recorded stand-up routines before he went into movies. Eddie Murphy has to rate in the Top Five funniest people to bless the comedy stage ever.