Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: X (Mature Audiences Only)
Binding: DVD
Brand: LION'S GATE ENTERTAINMENT
EAN: 9781578297504
Format: Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC
ISBN: 1578297508
Item Dimensions: 30
Label: Cinemation Industries
Languages: EnglishOriginal Language
Manufacturer: Cinemation Industries
MPN: 23138
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Cinemation Industries
Region Code: 1
Release Date: January 14, 2003
Running Time: 97 minutes
Studio: Cinemation Industries
Theatrical Release Date: 1971

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Editorial Review:

Product Description:
In this breakthrough film an idealistic hustler becomes militant after witnessing police brutality and corruption.DVD Special Features:All new making of by Melvin Van Peebles: The Real Deal (What it Was Is) remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1/Stereo filmography chapter selection original theatrical trailerSystem Requirements: Running Time 90 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: R UPC: 000799106426 Manufacturer No: 23138

Amazon.com:
Raw, jagged, and explosively angry, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song is a landmark in American independent cinema. Melvin Van Peebles directed, wrote, produced, edited, scored, and stars as Sweetback, a passive bouncer raised in a brothel. Shot guerrilla style on a starvation budget on the streets of Los Angeles, it's a violent tale of Sweetback's journey from passive acceptance to political awareness and active defiance. He becomes the target of a manhunt when he kills two cops who beat up a young black activist, and he bounces from hideout to hideout before running for the border, all the while getting more booty than Shaft and Superfly put together. The movie was so inflammatory by conservative industry standards that it was "Rated X by an All White Jury," which the ads proudly touted. The unusual mix of agitprop and exploitation is directed in a jagged style that recalls Godard and set to a funky score performed by Earth, Wind & Fire, which Van Peebles intercuts with chanting Greek chorus-like slogans. Released independently, it was a huge hit and effectively spawned the blaxploitation genre, but none of the films that followed ever recaptured the energy, the anger, and the social politics of this breakthrough in independent cinema. --Sean Axmaker




Rating: - Grade Z home made exploitation-groundbreaking MYAAAASS
I agree with the other ONE STAR raters of this "film"--Whatever it's intent, cultural timing or underground anti-establishment accolades--the film is TERRIBLE--Terrible in EVERY way--there are no redeeming qualities to speak of--It is a miracle anyone knows anything about this film all these decades later--Great films made during this era have been 90% forgotten, while this is revered--don't get it!

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Rating: - weid movie
I only watch this movie because I love everything about the 70's, but this movie is not that good to me.

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Rating: - The Quintessential Independent Blaxplotation Film Of All Time!!!
I know this film has been trashed by critics both black and white for its heavy content (i.e. stautory rape scene, and interracial sex scene), but this film was given an X rating. Melvin Van Peebles, who is highly regarded as the "Godfather of Modern Black Cinema" put everything he had on the line to get this film made, despite the Supreme Court, death threats. Bill Cosby even co-financed the film.

Ten years ago, I purchased "Sweetback" on VHS, and I was completely, blown away by this ... Read More

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Rating: - Umm...what can I say?
Ahh..., I don't know why this movie was ever made. It perpetuates the whole stereotype of "The Man," yet offers no solution or remedy. I applaude Mr. Melvin Van Peebles right to free speech and expression, but that's about it.

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Rating: - Well.....
I think the first scene could have been left out; by today's legal standards, someone would go to jail in a heartbeat. By the 1995 law, this would be a felonious offense. It should be cut completely out of the movie as a consequence.

However, the rest of the themes in the movie were reflective of their times, albeit offensive to some communities. It was a landmark film that pushed the envelope.

I would just say.....clip the first scene completely and leave the rest intact. ... Read More

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