Rockne Tarkington is solid in a classic Fred Williamson hero role, as the man saving his neighborhood from white criminals who want to start pushing drugs there. Fine supporting performances from Carol Speed and Connie Strickland are also assets to appreciate. Keeping a pet lion at the bar was a clever touch in establishing Samson's macho cool, and adding an element of tension to several scenes.
Two factors reduce the rating it might have earned. Director Charles Bail was given the reins for his first feature too soon in his career. The pacing is awful, draining much of the energy from many scenes. He did better at the helm later, mostly in TV gigs.
The other is William Smith's absurd overacting as the main nasty villain. He struts and seethes as if he attended the Jack Palance School for Playing Psychotic Heavies, but skipped the courses on moderation and balance. Luckily, one doesn't gain weight from chewing too much scenery. This role stands out as a lamentable oddity in Smith's long career of good work on both sides of the good/evil conflict.
Two factors reduce the rating it might have earned. Director Charles Bail was given the reins for his first feature too soon in his career. The pacing is awful, draining much of the energy from many scenes. He did better at the helm later, mostly in TV gigs.
The other is William Smith's absurd overacting as the main nasty villain. He struts and seethes as if he attended the Jack Palance School for Playing Psychotic Heavies, but skipped the courses on moderation and balance. Luckily, one doesn't gain weight from chewing too much scenery. This role stands out as a lamentable oddity in Smith's long career of good work on both sides of the good/evil conflict.