Black Caesar (1973)

Director:

Larry Cohen

Writer:

Larry Cohen (writer)

Release Date:

7 February 1973 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama

Tagline:

Hail Caesar, Godfather of Harlem...The Cat with the .45-Caliber Claws!

Plot:

Tommy Gibbs is a tough kid, raised in the ghetto, who aspires to be a kingpin criminal. As a young boy...

Plot Keywords:

Power | Criminal | Mafia | Mob | Hitman

Cast

Fred Williamson	...	Tommy Gibbs
Gloria Hendry	...	Helen
Art Lund	...	McKinney
D'Urville Martin	...	Rev. Rufus
Julius Harris	...	Mr. Gibbs
Minnie Gentry	...	Mama Gibbs
Philip Roye	...	Joe Washington
William Wellman Jr.	...	Alfred Coleman
James Dixon	...	Bryant
Val Avery	...	Cardoza
Patrick McAllister	...	Grossfield
Don Pedro Colley	...	Crawdaddy
Myrna Hansen	...	Virginia Coleman
Omer Jeffrey	...	Tommy as a boy
Michael Jeffrey	...	Joe as a boy

Also Known As:

The Godfather of Harlem (UK)

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Netherlands:16 | Finland:(Banned) (1988) | West Germany:18 | USA:TV-MA (cable rating) | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

American International Pictures (AIP)

Trivia:

Originally offered to Sammy Davis Jr., who turned it down.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: When the police officer follows Tommy across the street after he leaves Tiffany's, a passenger in a truck in the background can be seen waving frantically at the camera.

Quotes:

Tommy Gibbs: [at Mama's funeral] I gave her everything she wanted, Rufus, but she still wasn't ever happy.
Reverend Rufus: You know, I almost feel like I could pray for her.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Happiness Is No Fun. (2005)

Soundtrack:

Mama's Dead

Among the best blaxploitation films, "Black Caesar" is also a compelling drama

"Black Caesar" proves that not all grindhouse films were simple and unintelligent. It has an intelligent screenplay with believable characters while still having enough seedy goods to please drive-in fans. Larry Cohen has always been an interesting filmmaker and even his lesser films still have a clear social message. "Black Caesar" is one of his most entertaining films and one of the best from the blaxploitation era. If you thought all blaxploitation films were like "Dolemite" and "The Black Gestapo", than check this out.

The film works so well because its drama is exploitive yet still compelling. While the supporting acting is rather subpar, Fred Williamson gives a terrific performance. At his finest, he was one of blaxploitation's most charismatic and talented stars. He adds a lot more depth to the central character. "Black Caesar" really has everything you could ask for from one of these films - lots of action, sex, and a funky soundtrack courtesy the godfather himself James Brown. The direction by Cohen keeps everything at a brisk pace and the action is truly exciting. "Black Caesar" is one of the best blaxploitation films out there. (7/10)