I am so disappointed with both versions of this film VHS and DVD. The key elements are missing, and I like everyone else who brought the movie can not understand it. I grew up watching this film, and I personally think it is the best film about Black Women. I wish that this film would be released in the original format, and not this poor demostration of what the message clearly should be to a general audience. I think everyone who truly loves this film as much as I do, should continue to complain until the film is released on both VHS and DVD in the original format along with any extra bonus features including the director's commentary (if available). If people are still considering purchasing this film, I would suggest to do background research on the film, and to read all reviews so there will be no disappointment like so many of us previously were when the film was released. Good Luck To All.

Thanks to the other reviewers who warned of this horrible dvd. Such a fine movie deserves A+ treatment. Hopefully the movie will be re-released with widescreen, total digital restoration, and bonus features. Even though it was made for t.v. it still should be done right.

I bought this video about 2 months ago. I am in agreement with the other reviews. There are several parts missing from the video. I am very disappointed. It's missing the part where Basil & Maddie have a talk alone at the Police station; the part where Basil drops off Maddie at work and doesn't come back for her in the evening; the part where Melanie takes her neighbor/kids to Abshu's show (the show is missing) and when Tee is throwing to food out the window and arguing with Ms. Sophie. I take it that Ms. Oprah doesn't know how badly this movie is cut-up. I wish we could all get replacement movies. I've NEVER had a movie that was missing so many parts. It leaves a lot out and it's hard to understand if you've never seen it before. Not good!

I wish I would have read these reviews before purchasing this movie. I cosign with everything everyone else is saying. I too remember what this movie was like when it first aired. Not only have the scenes been edited or deleted but the order of some scenes were altered as well. I love this movie but I am disappointed in this dvd. The dvd is supposed to have added features, not features taken away. I should have known it was too good to be true, it was only $7.50!!If it isn't broken.........ya'll know the rest.

Mattie Michael the main character was not presented well. She seemed fakr; not what a real person would be like. Esspecailly in the scene where Mattie meets Butch. In the book the events in the scene flow together nicely. It had a lot of details and great descriptions. But in the movie the scene wasn't presented well. The events in the scene didn't flow together well. The two characters also don't look very real. The conversation they have looks rehearsed. Plus the reactions and facail expressions don't seem as real during the scene as they do in the book. The way Mattie was acting looked pretty fake and rehearsed. All in all the acters did a poor job presenting the characters they way they were from the book

The Movie didnt show how Basil was spoiled as much as the book did. For example, in the book there was a part when Mattie sent Basil up to wash behind his ears and he came back down and didnt do it, so Mattie told him to go back upstairs and do them again but then he kissed Mattie on the cheek and said "I love you". Then she gave in to him and let him get away with not washing behind his ears. In the movie it doesnt show any of that at all.