The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973)

Good movie for the right mentality.

I watched this movie back in the 70's but didn't quite have the mentality for it. Now I that I saw as an adult, I can appreciate it more and finally knew what was going on. It is a very interesting movie and is part of a past culture that has influenced the modern times. Is about a time in american history where minds were expanding and eyes were being opened. A must see for classic movies buffs out there. I recommend it. Did a good job with video and sound quality. This is must have for any classic movie collection. August 4, 2008

Brothers and Sisters, I do not think you are ready for this film because it may already be too late!!!!!

I cannot cheapen the message of this film with a brief review, however, I will say that all members of the Afrikan Diaspora-UNCLE TOMS AND TOMASINAS INCLUDED, should see this film at least once. February 19, 2008

* * * * * on concept... get the novel !

(To begin, my choice of * * * reflects this particular cut... not the film itself... But as the film has been long out of print, the fact that its out may very well warrent * * * * *... Read on...)

In the late 60's/early 70's, the air was ripe with talk of revolution.
White people too spoke of it... but in a different way. a.k.a. "The blacks are taking over!"

This film is a dramatization of both the dream (or fantasy) and the nightmare... And the idea of working within the system just enough to learn the ropes, then using it to your own good... (A play on the debate if taking advantage of the system makes one a sell out... a.k.a. Uncle Tom.)

Conceptually speaking, that's what makes this film great...
It is not a typical B-movie "exploitation" film with the revolutionaries being afro-wig wearing stereotypes, and the political content just being backdrop for the car chases... its a film with a message... To that extent its in a league of its own...

In addition, the production values are surprisingly good... Though an underground film, the production values hold their ground... Its a very well crafted film... even to the point of being slick. (The editor later went on to work for Steve Spielberg and is currently one of the top in his field.)

So why do I give the film three stars...? I feel it drags at times... but there may very well be an excuse... Incidental music (which is just as important as the visuals in any good film) is very important. My assumption is that the company that released it couldn't get the rights, so the soundtrack had to be muted. A shame because the original soundtrack was done by HERBIE HANCOCK (!) - - so what happens is you hear it faintly in the backround... at one point you even see a band playing and girl dancing, but you barely hear any music... The end result... the film feels a bit empty and spacey... and in parts where the music would have complimented the scenery (and visa versa) it just feels like empty space... so the film drags... The problem could probably easily be resolved by having one of today's "acid Jazz" bands provide a funky soundtrack in the same same style... but you have to be careful like that, because if the soundtrack is done cheaply, it diminishes the quality of the film... NO SOUNDTRACK however, makes it feel empty.

That aside, there are a few wonderful suprises, including an interview with the author/director, who is as militant and outspoken as ever. (Reminds me a bit of Melvin Van Peebles.) - - Robert Townsend gives his thoughts on the film... And there is plenty of hyping.

In conclusion, the idea of guerillas learning their game from the CIA is very interesting in today's climate... because that's exactly what's happening now regarding the war on terrorism... There is some irony though... when Kennedy was shot Malcolm X got into trouble for saying it was an example of "the chickens coming home to roost" - - On 9/11 the same thought came to my mind... Yes, it was a terrible thing, but when you have a foreign policy and shake a bee's nest, you can't blame when the bees come out and sting you to death. You can moralize that the bees were wrong, but that doesn't change the fact that you were stupid for provoking them. In fact, if a nearby person gets stung, its the person who provoked the bees fault, not the bees themselves whether or not their behavior is "right" or "wrong" or whether they were "right" or "wrong" for building the hive... - - This film, then can be watched from two perspectives: 1) As a fantasy that was very popular during that era. 2) As a warning of what happens when people feel surpressed and frustrated. Likewise, it is a play on every white bigot's worst nightmare: The help banding together and going far beyond merely steeling the silverware. (There is a very funny scene demonstrating this.)

So * * * * * in concept... Let's hope it gets recut, remade or re-released again! September 6, 2007

A Frightening Vision

The first slaveship carrying Africans to America arrived in 1619. From slavery to sharecropping to Jim Crow to segregation to subsidized housing & ghettos to present day discrimination blacks have experienced some form of deliberate or casual systematic rascism for nearly 400 years. The Spook... is black filmmaker's way of saying, "we're tired of waiting to be treated with fairness and dignity. It's time for us to take matters into our own hands."

This movie was made in 1973 in the aftermath of the civil rights struggles and violent deaths of many of the freedom rights strugglers, the rise of Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam and the militaristic Black Panthers under Huey Newton. Consequently, the time was ripe for a race war movie. While a race war will probably never take place in America, it is not impossible & it is certainly understandable that many blacks would be frustrated and angry enough to at least fantasize about a violent assertion of their rights and priviledges as U.S. citizens.

Why is it so surprising to many whites that blacks are fed up with being treated like second class people in their own country? Is it so impossible to imagine that the powerful will one day be forced to reap what they sow? I am white but I see this movie as an uncomfortable but necessary viewing experience in understanding how many blacks felt in the early 70's and how those feelings were (and continue to be) the product of the shameful way whites have treated blacks throughout the history of the American colonies and the country. September 1, 2007

very strong film

this film was very educational and didn't pull any punches. it showed how to overcome and handle your self. in truth this film was truly ahead of it's time. I miss films like this that was about standing up for yourself and doing your own thing. very strong social commentary film that is direct and deals with Racism,but also is Pro-self. a must see. April 4, 2007

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