Blaxploitation Films Now Available

Blaxploitation is a genre of film that saw its biggest popularity in the United States in the 1970's. As can plainly be seen, the word is a combination of the words "black" and "exploitation." The studios created these types of films to try to lure in dollars from the Black community, who had otherwise been largely overlooked before this time. True enough these movies are totally exploitive and they over emphasize stereotypical nonsense about black as well as white people. But, they aren't really offensive and they completely transport you back to the world of the 70's--it is in this way that they are an absolute blast to watch!

The music, the clothes, the hairstyles and the attitudes of the groovy people are what make the 70's so much fun to revisit. While little white girls were dreaming of growing up to become Sabrina, Kelly, or Chris from Charlie's Angels (1976 - 1981)-- I was all about wanting to become Coffy, Christie Love, or Foxy Brown (NOT hat god-awful rap diva...I'm talking Pam Grier, the original Foxy Brown). Check out this list to see why:

Mandingo (1975)

Watch as a lascivious slave owner gets his due. He spends most of his time training his strapping young black fighter (a slave), ignoring his wife and raping his female slaves. When his wife gets fed up with his nonsense she comes up with the best possible revenge, and then she socks it to him! This is Blaxploitation at its best! Directed by: Richard FleischerStarring: James Mason; Susan George; Ji-Tu Cumbuka

Shaft (1971)

Check out Richard Roundtree's original version of the smooth, and debonair black detective known as Shaft. Watch Shaft glide through the dirty world of a Black Crime Mob and the White Mafia and see how he comes out top--as clean as a whistle. Directed by:Gordon Parks Starring:Richard Roundtree, Moses Gunn

Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971)

This is a seminal classic and it is a must see. Watch as an innocent man gets set up by the police and has to go on the run for his life. This film was controversial upon its release due to its revolutionary ending. It is different from some other blaxploitation films as it was a commercial as well as a critical. Directed by: Melvin Van Peebles Starring:Mario Van Peebles; John Amos (James from Good Times (1974-1979)...I saw him in something recently, this guy never grows old) success. Also, the music in the film completely advances and enhances the story, be sure to take notice.

Blacula (1972)

Watch as an ancient African Prince gets bitten by Count Dracula. The Prince, Mamuwalde, is then locked away in a coffin for many years. The fun begins when he is accidentally "awakened" in the 70's... Directed by:William Crain Starring: William Marshall; Vonetta McGee; Denise Nicholas; Thalmus Rasulala; Ji-Tu Cumbuka

Foxy Brown (1974)

Pam Grier is the undisputed queen of the Blaxploitation Genre. All of her roles are showcased in another article that I wrote entirely devoted to her. However, I chose to use Foxy Brown (1974) in this article because I felt that at least one example of her work should be represented here. In this film, Pam plays Foxy Brown--Foxy is a woman who decides to go underground to get revenge for her murdered boyfriend. Pam gets into some memorable scrapes along the way, but she emerges victorious in the unforgettable ending. This is another must see. Directed by: Jack Hill Starring: Pam Grier; Antonio Fargas; Sid Haig

Abby: The Story of a Woman Possessed (1974)

The story of an black woman possessed by an African sex demon. Does it get any better than that? Check it out the movie that got thrown out of theaters because of a lawsuit with the creators of The Exorcist(1973).* This movie had previously been out of circulation for quite a long while but it is now available...catch it now before some other "evil" thing happens to it. Directed by:William Girdler Starring: Carol Speed; William Marshall; Juanita Moore

Get Christie Love! (1974)

Watch as sexy but serious Christie Love goes undercover to bring down a drug lord. The story was loosely based on a novel written by Dorothy Uhnak about her real-life experiences as a former New York City transit officer. Watch Christie kick butt in this Blaxploitation classic. Directed by: William A. Graham; Ron Rifkin Staring: Teresa Graves