Search - Five on the Black Hand Side on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1973 DVD Release: 10/16/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 36 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 1 Genres: Comedy Drama, Family Drama, Urban Drama

Five on the Black Hand Side was released at a time when most black-oriented films were bloody action fests. In contrast, this low-budget effort, coproduced by actors Brock Peters and Michael Tolan, eschews exploitation for humanity and domestic drama. Leonard Jackson plays a barber who is also the domineering head of a middle-class African American family. Jackson is forced to rethink his values when his previously docile wife (Clarice Taylor) joins their three children in rebelling against her husband's retrogressive behavior. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Clarice Taylor - Mrs. Brooks
Leonard Jackson - Mr. Brooks
Tchaka Almoravids - Fun Loving
Kwasi Badu
Bonnie Banfield - Gail
Carl Mikal Franklin - Marvin
Sonny Jim - Sweetmeat
Rudy Joe Ringo
Imamu Sukuma

Oscar Willaims directed the blaxploitation/family comedy Five on the Black Hand Side. The film comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. Spanish and French subtitles are accessible, and the soundtrack is closed captioned. Supplemental materials include the original theatrical trailer. MGM/UA has done a good job with presenting this cult favorite. What the release lacks in extras and quality can be made up thanks to the affordable list price. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide