Search - Black Caesar on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Nudity, Not For Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1973 DVD Release: 01/09/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English, Spanish Subtitles: French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 34 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 4 Genres: Crime, Crime Drama, Blaxploitation

Cult director Larry Cohen (It's Alive) directed this violent blaxploitation film. Nasty racist John McKinney cripples a black shoeshine boy, who grows up to be Tommy Gibbs (Fred Williamson), the Godfather of Harlem. The crimelord now has his tormentor McKinney (Art Lund) in his pocket, based on the cop's mob ties. Tommy's traitorous girlfriend Helen (Gloria Hendry) hands over the evidence, and McKinney moves in for the kill. But he may have underestimated the violent Tommy, who makes him shine his shoes in blackface while singing "Mammy." Rick Baker provided makeup effects, and James Brown did the music for this bloody oddity, followed the same year by Hell Up in Harlem. Cohen and Williamson got together 23 years later for an interesting (if unsuccessful) attempt at reviving the genre, Original Gangstas. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide

Omer Jeffrey - Tommy as a Boy

MGM's DVD of Black Caesar delivers an above-average package of this film for blaxploitation fans. The film is delivered in its full widescreen format and is anamorphically enhanced to boot. Picture quality is occasionally rough due to the age of the source materials, but the overall sharpness and color is surprisingly vivid. The mono soundtrack lacks the crash and flash of a stereo mix, but the sound is nice and clear, especially in the segments involving James Brown's funky score. Extras include a theatrical trailer and a witty, informative full-length commentary from writer/director Larry Cohen. Said commentary is the DVD's best feature. It is jam-packed with intriguing details from start to finish as Cohen reminisces about his up-and-down relationship with star Fred Williamson and reveals how he saved money by shooting many scenes in his home and those of his friends. Having the film in good quality on DVD is good enough, but =Black Caesar's excellent commentary track makes it a necessity for the film's fans and anyone interested in Larry Cohen's work. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide