Uptight (1968)

Black revolutionaries are betrayed by one of their own. Based on the 1935 classic, "The Informer."

Director:

Jules Dassin

Writers:

Jules Dassin (screenplay), Ruby Dee (screenplay)

Stars:

Raymond St. Jacques, Ruby Dee, Frank Silvera

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Raymond St. Jacques	...	B.G.
Ruby Dee	...	Laurie
Frank Silvera	...	Kyle
Roscoe Lee Browne	...	Clarence
Julian Mayfield	...	Tank
Janet MacLachlan	...	Jeannie
Max Julien	...	Johnny
Juanita Moore	...	Mama Wells
Dick Anthony Williams	...	Corbin (as Richard Williams)
Michael Baseleon	...	Teddy
John Wesley	...	Larry (as John Wesley Rodgers)
Ji-Tu Cumbuka	...	Rick (as Jitu Cumbuka)
Ketty Lester	...	Alma
Robert DoQui	...	Street Speaker
James McEachin	...	Mello

Storyline

Black revolutionaries are betrayed by one of their own. Based on the 1935 classic, "The Informer."

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Plot Keywords:

one word title | reference to martin luther king jr. | funeral | cleveland ohio | drunk | 

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Taglines:

A man on the run. A life at stake. A people about to explode.

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

M

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producer/director Jules Dassin wanted to remake The Informer (1935) with an all-black cast, set in inner-city America. The original Liam O'Flaherty story was based on the Irish rebellion against the English in the early 1920s. Dassin felt it mirrored black-white relations in the US in the 1960s.

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Connections

Version of The Informer (1935)

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Soundtracks

Children, Don't Get Weary
Written by Franklin Delano Williams
Sung by Judith Grace Gatewood (as Judy Clay)

User Reviews

A lost film that deserves to be found

I was a young man of 30 years when I went to see this film. At the time I thought that the acting was fine and the theme of the movie was brave. The choice of actors were superb. The nakedness of emotion and tenderness of soul pervades this film on a gut level that speaks to the maverick sense that inhabits us all. Over the years hence because of the ways of the world it has stuck in my mind and gained strength. Even though it is a remake of the 1935 film, "The Informer" with Victor McLaglen, I think that political science majors may get more out of this movie than the regular movie buff. I have two copies of the musical sound track by Booker T & the MGs and I have found it to be a powerhouse in rendering this film.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 December 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Up Tight

Filming Locations:

Ebenezer Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marlukin

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1