Watch Black Caesar

Black Caesar is a 1973 blaxploitation film that tells the story of a young man named Tommy Gibbs (played by Fred Williamson) who rises to power as a crime boss in Harlem. The movie takes place in the 1950s and follows Tommy's journey from a young boy being beaten up by racist cops to a feared and respected criminal mastermind. The movie begins with Tommy as a young boy witnessing his mother being beaten and arrested by racist cops. He grows up with a chip on his shoulder and becomes involved in petty crime. Tommy eventually gets the attention of the local mob boss and starts working for him as a hitman. He quickly rises through the ranks and eventually becomes the boss himself.

As the new kingpin of Harlem, Tommy uses brute force and intimidation to keep his rivals in check. He also starts making political alliances with corrupt politicians, including the mayor of New York City. But his rise to power is not without its challenges. Tommy's ruthless tactics draw the attention of a group of detectives who are determined to take him down.

Throughout the movie, Tommy faces opposition from all sides. His rivals in the criminal world, the corrupt cops, and the group of detectives all make life difficult for him. He also struggles to maintain his relationship with his childhood sweetheart, played by Gloria Hendry, who is now a successful singer.

One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is when Tommy kills a rival gang member on the steps of a church. The scene is shot in slow motion, with the music swelling in the background, creating a sense of epic grandeur to the violence. This scene and others like it are classic examples of the blaxploitation genre, which often featured over-the-top violence and catchy funk soundtracks.

Black Caesar was directed by Larry Cohen, who also wrote the screenplay. The movie was a commercial success and spawned a sequel, Hell Up in Harlem, which was also directed by Cohen.

One of the standout performances in the movie is Fred Williamson's portrayal of Tommy Gibbs. Williamson brings a swagger and charisma to the role, making Tommy a likable anti-hero despite his violent tendencies. Williamson was already a veteran of the blaxploitation genre, having appeared in other films such as Hammer and Boss Nigger.

The movie also features a strong supporting cast, including Art Lund as the corrupt mob boss who initially takes Tommy under his wing, and James Dixon as the lead detective who is determined to take Tommy down.

In addition to the memorable soundtrack, Black Caesar also features some impressive cinematography. The movie is shot in a gritty, realistic style that captures the energy and chaos of Harlem in the 1950s.

Overall, Black Caesar is a classic example of the blaxploitation genre. It's a violent, stylish, and entertaining movie that features a strong lead performance from Fred Williamson. The movie may not be for everyone, but for fans of the genre, it's a must-see.

Black Caesar is a 1973 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.