Black Gunn (1972)

42% of users liked it
(84 ratings)

This violent blaxploitation film stars Jim Brown as the owner of a Los Angeles nightclub. When his brother, a Vietnam veteran, is murdered by gangsters, Brown gathers some of his brother's fellow veterans and an assortment of ex-convicts to get brutal revenge. Martin Landau, Luciana Paluzzi, and… More This violent blaxploitation film stars Jim Brown as the owner of a Los Angeles nightclub. When his brother, a Vietnam veteran, is murdered by gangsters, Brown gathers some of his brother's fellow veterans and an assortment of ex-convicts to get brutal revenge. Martin Landau, Luciana Paluzzi, and Jeannie Bell head the cast, along with genre regulars Bruce Glover, Bernie Casey, and Gary Conway. Director Robert Hartford-Davis is best known for horror films like Incense of the Damned and Corruption, while Brown went on to more successful genre fare in Slaughter and Slaughter's Big Rip-Off. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Robert Hartford-Davis
Written By: Franklin Coen, Robert Hartford-Davis, Robert Shearer
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 20, 1972 Wide
On DVD: Jan 20, 2004

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Chris W

I'm kind of torn on the rating for this one, so let's call it 4 stars for fans of the genre and 3.5 for everyone else. In letter grade terms, let's give it a straight up B. While the broad plot of this movie (someone seeking revenge for the death or a loved one or… More
I'm kind of torn on the rating for this one, so let's call it 4 stars for fans of the genre and 3.5 for everyone else. In letter grade terms, let's give it a straight up B. While the broad plot of this movie (someone seeking revenge for the death or a loved one or family member) is not new at all (in general and for blaxploitation), what I feel sets this one apart is how, while there are some action setpieces, the film is more than just wall to wall violent action. It also touches upon some deeper themes and subtext deeper than the surface level. Lots of these films do that, but even though it isn't bursting at the seams with discourse, it doesn't just give it a parting glance. This movie has a great cast including the genre's king Jim Brown, Bernie Casey, and the great Martin Landau as the malicious antagonist. I think they all do pretty decent jobs given the material. I said the plot wasn't too original, because it's not, but the treatment elevates it above average or mediocre. Helping things along are a scorching soundtrack that's totally groovy and bad ass and some halfway decent camera work. This movie isn't completely anything special, but the effort they put into it really shows, and it is pretty entertaining, so I say give it a watch.

Cast

            Jeanie Bell as Lisa

            Arell Blanton as TV Director

            Vida Blue as Sam Green

            Timothy Brown as Larry

            Bernie Casey as Seth

            Chuck Daniel as Mel

            Sandra Giles as Prostitute

            Tony Giorgio as Ben

            Bruce Glover as Ray Kriley

            Toni Holt as Betty

            Herbert Jefferson Jr. as Scott Gunn

            Deacon Jones as Himself

            Martin Landau as Capelli

            Luciana Paluzzi as Toni

            Lavelle Roby as Jane

            Gyl Roland as Celeste

            Brenda Sykes as Judith

            Gene Washington as Elmo

            James Louis Watkins as Lt. Jopper

            Jonas Wolfe as Val

            Katherine Woodville as Louella

            Tony Young as Dell

            Frank Bello as Robbo

            Keefe Brasselle as Winman

            Jim Brown as Gunn

            Gary Conway as Adams

            Manuel DePina as Bowling Alley Manager

            William Campbell as Rico

            Tommy Davis as Webb

            Rick Ferrell as Jimpy

            Jay Montgomery as Junkie

            Mark Tapscott as Cassidy

            Stephen McNally as Laurento
See full cast