Sweet Sweetback's Badassss Song (1971)

Review by Mari Lynne Rupp



Written by, Directed by and Starring Melvin Van Peebles, A black prostitute must go on the lamb after saving a young Black Panther from racist cops.
This movie is entirely controversial, it could be seen as offensive, and it is entirely historically relevant. It was a vision Melvin valued so much he struck out on his own to have it made and shown. He went broke, begged borrowed and bounced checks to get the film made.....His efforts did not go unrewared. He made 15 million off the movie and created the first independant blaxploitation film, which also happend to have an all-black starring cast. Starring Simon Chuckster, Niva Rochelle, Lavelle Roby and introducing a very young Mario Van Peebles in the controversial role as Young Sweetback, and introducing the popular band Earth, Wind and Fire running the sound track, this early grindhouse/blaxploitation film is a must for all movie fans. Love it or hate it, just enjoy. Any film that invokes such powerful feeling has GOT to be something!
The fact it was pretty well brought into being from basically one man's idea just gets me. As usual, when I watch any kind of grindhouse, I look at the cars. And the fashions. This has got some great stuff in it, and there's even a social message in there somewhere. It's simply one of the most powerful pieces of cinema I've ever seen, and grindhouse afficionados need to see and experience it too. If you can really dig it, follow it up with the documentary of the making of Sweetback, Badassss! Starring Mario Van Peebles as his father. It's a wonderful companion piece and would make you appreciate independant cinema all the more.
8/10