Posse (1993)
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31% of critics liked it
(16 reviews) -
46% of users liked it
(6,695 ratings)
Writer, director, and star Mario Van Peebles tried to correct historical misconceptions about African-Americans on the frontier with this action-packed western that's also an homage to spaghetti Westerns. During the Spanish-American War, a squadron of black soldiers led by Jesse Lee (Van… More Writer, director, and star Mario Van Peebles tried to correct historical misconceptions about African-Americans on the frontier with this action-packed western that's also an homage to spaghetti Westerns. During the Spanish-American War, a squadron of black soldiers led by Jesse Lee (Van Peebles) is assigned a dangerous mission behind enemy lines in Cuba by evil Colonel Graham (Billy Zane). Joined by a white gambler, Little J (Stephen Baldwin), the troupe is to recover a chest of gold. Realizing that Graham will slaughter them once they've relinquished the booty, Lee and his men retrieve the chest, wound Graham, and head for home. Ambushed by Graham in New Orleans, the "posse" heads for Lee's hometown of Freemanville, a frontier settlement of ex-slaves. Years ago, Lee's minister father (Robert Hooks) was murdered there by Klansmen, and the gunslinger wants revenge. There's new trouble brewing in Freemanville, however. Sheriff Bates (Richard Jordan), top lawman in neighboring Cutterville, plans to wipe out Freemanville's citizens and sell their lucrative property to a railroad. Then there's Graham, still on Lee's trail. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi
- Directed By
- Mario Van Peebles
- Genres
- Western, Action & Adventure, Art House & International
- In Theaters
- May 14, 1993 Wide
- On DVD
- Nov 24, 1998
- Studio
- PolyGram Video
Critic Reviews
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Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Rousing entertainment directed by Van Peebles with a rare sense of purpose and mischief.
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Some interesting race-related points are raised, but Van Peebles disappoints by focusing instead on the standard elements of the genre.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
An overdirected, overphotographed, overdone movie that is so distracted by its hectic, relentless style that the story line is rendered almost incoherent.
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Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Part of the problem seems to have been that Van Peebles had too much to say.
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
So-so oater distinguished by Van Peebles' direction, starring.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Mario Van Peebles
as Jessie Lee
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Stephen Baldwin
as Little J.
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Charles Lane
as Weezie
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Tommy 'Tiny' Lister
as Obobo
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Big Daddy Kane
as Father Time
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Billy Zane
as Colonel Graham
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Blair Underwood
as Sheriff Carver
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Melvin Van Peebles
as Papa Joe
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Salli Richardson
as Lana
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Pam Grier
as Phoebe
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Vesta Williams
as Vera
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Isaac Hayes
as Cable
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Robert Hooks
as King David
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Richard Jordan
as Sheriff Bates
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Paul Bartel
as Mayor Bigwood
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Lawrence Cook
as Cook
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Richard Gant
as Doubletree
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Stephen J. Cannell
as Jimmy Love
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Nipsey Russell
as Snopes
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Reginald VelJohnson
as Preston
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Woody Strode
as Storyteller
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Eugene Brooks
as Street Performer
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Richard Edson
as Deputy Tom
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Sandra Ellis Lafferty
as Big Kate
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Christopher Michael
as Izzy
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Aaron Neville
as Railroad Singer
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Steve Reevis
as Two Bears
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Sy Richardson
as Shepherd
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Tone-Loc
as Angel
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James Bigwood
as Walker
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Mark Buntzman
as Deputy Buntzman
- Pat Golden
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Warrington Hudlin
as Reporter
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Bob Minor
as Alex
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Frank Soto
as Aaron
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David Jean Thomas
as Head Rower
- Tone Loc
