Three the Hard Way (1974)

Blaxploitation film about three martial-arts specialists who prevent white supremacists from tainting the U.S. water supply with a toxin that's only harmful to black people.

Director:

Gordon Parks Jr.

Writers:

Eric Bercovici, Jerrold L. Ludwig (as Jerry Ludwig)

Stars:

Jim Brown, Fred Williamson, Jim Kelly

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jim Brown	...	Jimmy Lait
Fred Williamson	...	Jagger Daniels
Jim Kelly	...	Mister Keyes
Sheila Frazier	...	Wendy Kane
Jay Robinson	...	Monroe Feather
Charles McGregor	...	Charley
Howard Platt	...	Keep
Richard Angarola	...	Dr. Fortrero
David Chow	...	Link
Marian Collier	...	Eva
Junero Jennings	...	House
Alex Rocco	...	Lt. Di Nisco
Corbin Bernsen	...	Boy
Renie Radich	...	Girl
Janice Carroll	...	Nurse

Storyline

The story involves a white supremist plot to taint the United States water supply with a toxin that is harmless to whites but lethal to blacks. The only obstacles that stand in the way of this dastardly plan are Jim Brown, Fred Williamson and Jim Kelly, who shoot, kick and karate chop their way to final victory.

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Plot Keywords:

beer | chess | red wine | pool table | chased by a car | 

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Taglines:

Action explodes all over the place when the big three join forces to save their race!

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Genres:

Action | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 June 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Les démolisseurs

Filming Locations:

315 West 70th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,800,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,275,072, 15 July 1974

Company Credits

Production Co:

Allied Artists Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min 105 min (television)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Eight years after this film's release, Fred Williamson produced, directed and wrote One Down, Two to go (1982), which reunited him with his co-stars on this film,Jim Brown, and Jim Kelly along with Richard Roundtree as the major addition to that film. Williamson conceived the idea of doing another sequel after there was a break in his schedule between the filming of The Big Score (1983), and Vigilante (1982). The funding for the film, the film crew, scouting locations and actors all came together quickly and would film for about a month. Years after the film was made, Williamson considers One Down, Two to go (1982) as a true sequel to Three the Hard Way (1974)

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Goofs

When Jimmy is talking to Wendy from the phone booth he is clearly inside the booth while the gravel truck is charging the booth (0:54:04).Yet,seconds after the gravel truck hits the booth Jimmy isn't inside the booth and he is hanging from the back of the truck instead(0:54:09).

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Alternate Versions

Additional scenes were added to the TV version to pad out the running time and for content.

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Connections

Referenced in American Grindhouse (2010)

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Soundtracks

Make a Resolution
Music by Richard Tufo
Lyrics by Lowrell Simon
Performed by The Impressions (as Impressions)
Courtesy of Buddah and Curtom Records

User Reviews

Lait, Jagger & Mister!

A very good blaxpoitation flick from the mid 70s. Much more ambitious than the usual genre fare, the movie is slickly made, starring three of the most famous stars of the time, Jim Brown, Jim Kelly and Fred Williamson. As I recall, the casting caused quite a stir at the time of release. My only complaint is the unsatisfying, rushed final act. Gordon Parks, the director failed in giving the villains a memorable send off. Well worth seeing. The soundtrack by the Impressions is great as well.

By the way, having seen the movie in a theater, the lighting problems noted in other reviews is due to the poor print used, a second generation, edited TV version. The original version included a nude scene by the three motorcycle riding women "interogators" and more closeup kung fu violence, by Jim Kelly. Hopefully, a DVD release someday will restore the original R rated cut.