Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		2.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		2.5

Pufnstuf Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 2, 2021

Producers Sid and Marty Krofft finally landed a hit show with 1969’s “H.R. Pufnstuf,” which brought audiences to the oddity of Living Island, inhabited by a mix of fantasy characters and the witch who wanted to kill them all. Trying to capitalize on this creative momentum, the Kroffts quickly put a film version of “Pufnstuf” into production, looking to make some money on the matinee circuit, adding a few guest stars to boost the marquee value of the picture. Director Hollingsworth Morse was put in charge of making magic for the big screen, tasked with opening up the world of “H.R. Pufnstuf” to a certain degree while keeping young audiences entertained with non-stop wackiness. The gamble didn’t result in huge box office returns, but it did produce one of the strangest movies of 1970, finding the Kroffts doubling down on weirdness to make the endeavor stand out from the competition, sold with their usual blend of broad performances and floppy, full-body puppetry.

Jimmy (Jack Wild) is dealing with junior high bullies, kicked out of the school band when he’s mistakenly punished for an accident he didn’t cause. Free from educational obligations, Jimmy roams the countryside with his new friend, Freddie the Flute, with the talking, diamond-encrusted instrument encouraging his pal to play with him all day long. The pair make their way to a special boat promising a trip to Living Island, which is soon cursed by Witchiepoo (Billie Hayes), inspiring Mayor H.R. Pufnstuf (Al Melvin) and his constituents to save the boy. Jimmy is overwhelmed by all he finds on Living Island, where everything is alive, including Witchiepoo’s desire to claim Freddie for herself, presenting an advantage to win “Witch of the Year” at the annual Witches Convention. Witchiepoo sets out to steal the flute with her magical tricks, putting Jimmy and his new community on high alert, ready to protect the Freddie before he's used for nefarious purposes as the villain prepares to welcome Boss Witch (Martha Raye) and Witch Hazel (Cass Elliot) to her castle.

“Pufnstuf” is something of a prequel to the series, which offered a notoriously lengthy prologue to catch viewers up on Jimmy and his presence on Living Island. The same tale is basically told in the feature, with the addition of some school bullying for Jimmy, who’s late to band practice and pays a price for it, eventually losing his spot as punishment. Instead of challenging authority, the boy runs away, soon joined by Freddie the Flute, who magically comes to life, sharing the heaviness of a lonely existence with his owner (what?), encouraging Jimmy to spend the day playing in the open world. “Pufnstuf” eventually catches up with the show, watching Jimmy and Freddie accept a random offer to ride a boat to Living Island, with the voyage ruined by Witchiepoo, who tries to kill the kid and take his talking flute. And this is only the first ten minutes of the film, which grows increasingly more frenzied as the story unfolds.

Morse doesn’t really direct “Pufnstuf.” He’s more of a traffic cop here, basically hired to keep everything in focus as the puppets go crazy, watching the performers work extra hard to be seen while trapped inside foam creations. The Krofft-iness of it all isn’t diminished, as Jimmy finds a safe haven in Living Island, meeting a hippie tree, a house with a head cold, and the eponymous leader of the pack, with Pufnstuf about as bumbling and ill-prepared for anything as your average small-town mayor. Lengthy stretches of slapstick are encountered throughout the viewing experience, and such mischief is broken up by musical numbers, giving the set-bound world of “Pufnstuf” a little Broadway-style hustle. Songs aren’t especially memorable, but they provide a breather between acts of maniacal behavior, especially from Witchiepoo, with Hayes going to town as the heavy, screaming her lines and constantly jumping around. It’s exhausting to watch the performance, but there’s a level of total commitment to character that’s remarkable to behold, finding Hayes on a quest to be the center of attention every time she appears on-screen.

The fight for Freddie makes up the first two acts of “Pufnstuf,” with Witchiepoo launching schemes to take the flute. Because this is Krofft-land, plans include the witch disguising herself as a flower (fighting off a bee) and as a dance instructor who resembles Mae West, easily duping Pufnstuf and the gang. Jimmy fights back with an elaborate plan to smoke out Witchiepoo’s castle, using Pufnstuf’s firefighting team to find a way into the stronghold. Shenanigans ensue, and eventually war breaks out, finding Witchiepoo turning to explosives to murder the inhabitants of Living Island. Escalation gives “Pufnstuf” some pace, and exploration is also attempted, visiting the Evil Forest, while the sky is ruled by the West Wind, who looks like a cowboy and sounds like John Wayne.

“Pufnstuf” has a unique level of artistry, blending googly-eyed creations with some fascinating monsters, which are found throughout the feature. It’s sensorial overload for sure, and certainly not as refined as a Jim Henson production, but the Kroffts definitely aren’t afraid to dream up complete weirdness and commit it to film. Even elements clearly in bad taste, such as Boss Witch’s hench-rodent, a Nazi rat named Heinrich, are presented without hesitation, adding to the acid-trip appeal of “Pufnstuf,” which is teeming with extreme colors and monstrosities, always in busy mode to make sure younger audiences stay invested in the madness.

Pufnstuf Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is clearly an older scan of "Pufnstuf," resembling an average Universal catalog release. Detail isn't present, with softness diminishing strange textures on the fantasy creatures and extreme makeup on the witches, with their pronounced warts and hair. Living Island decoration isn't as clear as needed, along with the particulars of the village and castle. Colors survive with evidence of age, passably preserving the film's insane palette, maintaining a rainbow appearance on almost everything. Reds on Witchiepoo and Pufnstuf's full-body yellow skin are acceptable. Grain is chunky, with a processed appearance. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in good condition.

Pufnstuf Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA offers some power with musical numbers, securing big voices throughout the feature. Instrumentation is also appreciable, including scoring cues, which bring more of a cartoon atmosphere to the picture. Dialogue exchanges are satisfactorily defined, maintaining clarity as impressions, accents, and general hysterics are encountered. Sound effects retain intended exaggeration.

Pufnstuf Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:49, HD) is included.

Pufnstuf Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Pufnstuf" grows a tad more static once the Witches Convention begins, keeping matters tied to castle happenings, which include passive-aggressive fighting among the hags and a song from Elliot. However, it doesn't stop, layering on frantic behavior on its way to an ending, or perhaps a beginning for a future that was never realized, finding the Kroffts moving on to future creative achievements. "Pufnstuf" is a quickie production meant to advance the earning potential of the brand name, but it's certainly not a lazy endeavor, working to give fans of "H.R. Pufnstuf" some cinematic amplification to support this often inexplicable journey to the big screen.