Riverbend Blu-Ray (Pre-Order) • With Limited Edition Slipcover

RIVERBEND (1989) 

(Order Now--don't miss out)

First time ever on Blu-Ray (Region A,B,C) From the 6k Restoration by Reelblack Renaissance / Ships on or before July 20, 2026

First 1000 copies will ship with a limited edition slipcover designed by Aaron Kai.

[*** First 100 pre-orders will be shipped with a limited edition "Major Quinton" enamel pin (mock up shown) and a Riverbend postcard hand signed by director Sam Firstenberg (American Ninja 1&2, Avenging Force). ***SOLD OUT]

In the heat of the Civil Rights era, three decorated Black soldiers return home from Vietnam only to find themselves in another war — this time against racism, corruption, and brutality in the American South. Led by Major Samuel Quinton (Steve James, American Ninja, The Delta Force), the men take refuge in the small town of Riverbend, Georgia, where a ruthless sheriff (Tony Frank) rules with an iron fist. When peaceful resistance fails, the soldiers use their combat skills to liberate the oppressed townspeople and ignite a revolution that challenges the system itself.

Long considered one of the most daring and overlooked action dramas of its time, RIVERBEND blends social commentary with explosive filmmaking. Co-starring Academy Award nominee Margaret Avery (The Color Purple), Julius Tennon (How to Get Away with Murder) and Alex Morris (Baskets), the film’s story of courage, sacrifice, and justice feels as urgent today as it did in 1989.

Now newly restored from a 6K scan of the original 35mm interpositive and full mag sound reels, RIVERBEND returns in its most complete and uncompromised form — a lost chapter in Black cinema reclaimed.

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Extras include:

• Limited Edition Slipcover (designed by Aaron Kai)

• Reversible sleeve designed by Samurai Guinea Pig (2025 art by Aaron Kai and Retro cover based on the original 1990 VHS release
• Original Trailer

• Two Audio Commentaries:

  1. With Director Sam Firstenberg and members of the cast

  2. Featuring Sam Firstenberg in conversation with Debbi James, daughter of the late Steve James moderated by Michael J. Dennis of Reelblack Renaissance

• A 30-minute documentary LARGER THAN LIFE: A TRIBUTE TO STEVE JAMES by Retrofiend Radio featuring interviews with Sam Shmulik Firstenberg , Valerie Vance, Marcus Coleman, Mike Shanks , Austin Trunick, William Lustig, William Wallace and Debbi James.

• “Aaron Kai: I Paint the Movies” – exclusive time-lapse demonstration of the creation of the movie's poster

• “Restoring Riverbend” – 30 minute presentation by Michael J. Dennis from the Orphan Film Symposium.

• Aero Theatre Q&A – from the October 2025 Los Angeles Premiere at the American Cinematheque.

• 36 page booklet featuring rare photos and ephemera and essays by Corey Danna, Yaba Blay Gerald Butters and David F. Walker
• Subtitles in English, Spanish, German and French
• 16:9 aspect ratio

• And more…