Black Samson (1974)

54% of users liked it
(130 ratings)

William Smith and a gang of white drug-dealers try to muscle in on black nightclub owner Rockne Tarkington in this silly blaxploitation film. What they don't know is that Tarkington -- who has a pet lion -- is skilled at martial arts and will not give in without a fight. Abby's Carol Speed co-stars… More William Smith and a gang of white drug-dealers try to muscle in on black nightclub owner Rockne Tarkington in this silly blaxploitation film. What they don't know is that Tarkington -- who has a pet lion -- is skilled at martial arts and will not give in without a fight. Abby's Carol Speed co-stars with skinflick vet John Alderman. Director Chuck Bail returned with Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Chuck Bail, Charles Bail
Written By: Warren Hamilton
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Aug 14, 1974 Wide
On DVD: Mar 5, 1996

No Critic Reviews Found…

Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

A quintessential blaxploitation feature. Nothing original, but very well done. Instantly quotable and pretty much by the numbers - the white man comes in to put down the black man...you can't get more quintessential than that. Oh, and William Smith is amazing in this! :)
Chris W

This is a fun and enjoyable, albeit conventional and by the numbers blaxploitation film. The basic plot involves a group of white gangsters who want to get rid of the black population in their ity by filling their neighborhoods with crime and drugs. Their sole motivation is that they… More
This is a fun and enjoyable, albeit conventional and by the numbers blaxploitation film. The basic plot involves a group of white gangsters who want to get rid of the black population in their ity by filling their neighborhoods with crime and drugs. Their sole motivation is that they are straight up racists plain and simple who have a pure hatred of African Americans. Standing in their way is Samson, a towering (but gentle, unless force is necessary) black guy who owns a titty bar, wears African garb, carries a big decorative staff, and owns a pet lion. What I liked about this film is that it is more Afrocentric (to a degree) than almost all the others. And even though it's just a mediocre b-movie, there's some decent subtext and stuff that can be read into (and it is earned). Plus, there's some really good and funny lines, and Connie Strickland looks good topless. This one seems to be a little more obscure, but it's actually not that bad. It's run of the mill, but it's decent enough. Finally, if bar owners were actually allowed to keep pet lions at their establishments, the world would be a groovier place.