Linkshoch Wonderful Movie

VividSimon Simply Perfect

Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Intcatinfo A Masterpiece!

Scott LeBrun "Black Samson" isn't anything special in terms of the blaxploitation films of the era; in fact, it's fairly routine, but it's still quite agreeable and benefits from some strong performances. Rockne Tarkington, the man originally selected for the Jim Kelly role in "Enter the Dragon" and the star of the TV series 'The Banana Splits Adventure Hour', is the cool, calm, collected title hero, a bar owner who works hard to keep crime and corruption out of his neighbourhood. Things get very difficult for him when Italian mobsters try to muscle in on his territory. The main creep is an angry thug named Johnny Nappa (the almighty William Smith, in very fine form), who does everything he can to try to bring Samson to his knees. One's gotta love a character like Samson: he remains pretty unflappable in the face of danger, and keeps a lion as a pet inside the bar. (Considering the presence of the big cat, it's rather something of a disappointment that it isn't worked into the finale. One would expect it to end up chowing down on or otherwise mauling a bad guy.) He also has an incredibly foxy lady friend named Leslie (Carol Speed, "Abby") and deals with associates such as no-account jerk Arthur (Michael Payne, who's hilarious). Also among the cast are Titos Vandis ("The Exorcist") as wise old capo Joseph Nappa, lovely blonde Connie Strickland as white dancer Tina, who takes a shine to Samson and pays a price for it, actor / director / stuntman Joe Tornatore (who, after this, directed Tarkington in "The Zebra Force") as Harry, Napoleon Whiting as endearing old piano player Henry, and John Alderman as slimy attorney Michael Briggs. Nothing that happens is ever exactly surprising, but there's still a certain comfort level in watching something (written by Warren Hamilton Jr., based on Daniel Cady's story) that sticks to a proved formula. The direction by Charles Bail ("The Gumball Rally", "Choke Canyon") is efficient, and the movie features a decent enough car chase. The truly rousing thing about the finale is seeing the people of Samsons' neighbourhood motivated to stand up to Nappa and providing Samson with some very valuable assistance. Then the stage is set for the tough and gripping showdown between tough guys Tarkington and Smith, and it delivers the goods. With a fine and funky score composed by Allen Toussaint to serve as accompaniment, "Black Samson" makes for pretty good, if not memorable, entertainment. Seven out of 10.

toiletfleet Regardless of your views on the nature of blaxploitation films themselves, the average viewer expects silly one-liners, comically inept and invariably racist antagonists, and a breezy plot which allows for the genre tropes to star. Black Samson offers virtually none of these, and instead presents you with ceaseless cruelty.The film starts out looking like another fun-to-watch-with-friends romp, but quickly takes an ever-dark and ever-sadistic turn and never once looks back. Gone are the cartoonish racist villains; instead, we have believable, human monsters that exude hate (kudos to the actors, but unfortunately in the wrong genre for such savagery). Gone is the lighthearted pacing and tempo; instead, we have a story that plays more like a Greek tragedy. Where you'd normally find comic vehicles, instead scenes play out as if from a snuff film.Black Samson is not a bad film by any means; if anything, it's one of the most sincere efforts of cinema normally attached to the blaxploitation era. However, those looking to goof on a film might find themselves sorely disappointed in how human and bruised the characters are presented.

Woodyanders Noble nightclub owner Samson (a solid and engaging performance by Rockne Tarkington) does his best to keep his neighborhood free of crime and drugs. When vicious mobster Johnny Nappa (veteran B-movie tough guy William Smith in fine slimy form) tries to muscle in on Samson's territory, Samson refuses to give in to Nappa's demands and takes a brave stand against Nappa and his flunkies. Director Chuck Bail, working from a simple and effective script by Warren Hamilton, Jr., relates the story at a snappy pace, stages the thrilling action set pieces with considerable flair, and sprinkles in a nice smattering of hot topless chicks for good measure. Tarkington's strong and dignified presence really works as Samson, whose sense of protective responsibility for his people and community makes him a likable and appealing hero. The supporting cast is likewise excellent, with praiseworthy contributions by Carol Speed as Samson's sweet, concerned main squeeze Tina, Connie Strickland as Nappa's sexy girlfriend Leslie, Michael Payne as low-rent dope pusher Arthur, Vitos Vandis as wise old capo Joseph Nappa, Napolean Whiting as amiable organ player Old Henry, and John Alderman as wormy corrupt lawyer Michael Briggs. Allen Toussaint's groovy score hits the right-on soulful spot (the theme song in particular is quite funky). The conclusion is both rousing and uplifting. A fun flick.

William White Director/Stuntman Chuck Bail directed this forgotten Warner Bros. film that features Rockne Tarkington (well-known for starring on 70's kid show BANANA SPLITS:DANGER ISLAND) as Samson, a nightclub owner (who owns a lion) who doesn't want any drugs on his neighborhood. William Smith is terrific as a evil Johnny Napa, who wants to own the neighborhood and starts a war with Samson. Character actor Titos Vandis (who is Greek)is miscast as a italian mobster, but seems to chew up the part prettty good. The film does look cheap, and it's intresting Warner Bros. gave Tarkington a lead when it's reported that he turned down ENTER THE DRAGON (a part which went to Jim kelly). The ending is pretty good, so I recommened this film to any action fans looking for 70's actioner. Actor/Stuntman Tornatore later directed Rockne is ZEBRA FORCE and worked with him on TRAINED TO KILL U.S.A.