Little Fugitive: The Collected Films of Morris Engel & Ruth Orkin Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Little Fugitive: The Collected Films of Morris Engel & Ruth Orkin Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Neil Lumbard April 12, 2021

Morris Engel & Ruth Orkin are important pioneers in American independent cinema. The husband-wife filmmaking team found both commercial and critical acclaim with their breakout success, Little Fugitive (even winning over the heart of the great Francois Truffaut). From distributor Kino Lorber, Little Fugitive – The Collected Films of Morris Engel & Ruth Orkin is an impressive collection of films from the filmmakers (including the following productions): Little Fugitive (1953), Lovers and Lollipops (1956), Weddings and Babies (1958), and I Need a Ride to California (1968).

Little Fugitive is a surprising film: exploring the eventful day of a young child who mistakenly believes he killed his older brother after a prank is pulled on him. Given a fake gun and bullets, the boy shoots his brother, and runs away. The boy goes to the fair and proceeds to spend the entire day playing fun activities as he becomes the “little fugitive” of the story. A must-see classic of independent cinema.

For individual reviews of each feature-film included in the Little Fugitive – The Collected Films of Morris Engel & Ruth Orkin box set, please refer to the individual reviews linked to below:

Little Fugitive Blu-ray Review

Lovers and Lollipops Blu-ray Review

Weddings and Babies Blu-ray Review

I Need a Ride to California Blu-ray Review

Little Fugitive: The Collected Films of Morris Engel & Ruth Orkin Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For more information on the technical merits of each presentation, please refer to the individual reviews linked to below:

Little Fugitive Blu-ray Review

Lovers and Lollipops Blu-ray Review

Weddings and Babies Blu-ray Review

I Need a Ride to California Blu-ray Review

Little Fugitive: The Collected Films of Morris Engel & Ruth Orkin Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

For more information on the audio quality on each presentation, please refer to the individual reviews linked to below:

Little Fugitive Blu-ray Review

Lovers and Lollipops Blu-ray Review

Weddings and Babies Blu-ray Review

I Need a Ride to California Blu-ray Review

Little Fugitive: The Collected Films of Morris Engel & Ruth Orkin Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release comes with a nice selection of bonus features. Fans of Morris Engel & Ruth Orkin will be pleased with the plethora of enticing supplemental features included in this box-set. The collection even includes a nice selection of classic short films and commercials directed by the filmmakers – which are a must-see.

For additional information regarding the supplemental package, please refer to the individual reviews linked to below:

Little Fugitive Blu-ray Review

Lovers and Lollipops Blu-ray Review

Weddings and Babies Blu-ray Review

I Need a Ride to California Blu-ray Review

Little Fugitive: The Collected Films of Morris Engel & Ruth Orkin Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Little Fugitive – The Collected Films of Morris Engel & Ruth Orkin is a remarkable compilation of films and shorts from independent filmmakers Morris Engel & Ruth Orkin. Little Fugitive is a landmark achievement in American cinema as the first major independent film ever produced (becoming a critical and commercial darling). A must-see classic.

The set also includes several other important works: Lovers and Lollipops, Weddings and Babies, and the never-before-released I Need a Ride to California. Each film in the collection is a wonderful showcase for the brilliant gifts of these filmmakers. The artistry present in each production is awe-inspiring.

The Little Fugitive – The Collected Films of Morris Engel & Ruth Orkin set includes excellent video-audio presentations for each feature. The bonus features included in the set are top-notch. The included short films are worth the price of admission alone (with quality efforts like The Dog Lover, The Farm They Won, and Peace Is offering more insights into these filmmakers stylistic flourishes). The set even includes vintage commercials by Morris Engel & Ruth Orkin (such as the Oreo cookie commercial the filmmakers directed). Little Fugitive includes two short documentaries produced by the couple's daughter, Mary Engel. A comprehensive set packed with great value, the release comes highly recommended.