The Mack (1973)

83% of users liked it
(4,664 ratings)

A box-office success during the early '70s, this blaxploitation flick traces the life of a Bay Area pimp facing drug dealers, crooked cops and fellow pimps ready to settle a few scores. Richard Pryor makes a small appearance as Slim. ~ John Bush, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 50 min.
Directed By: Michael Campus
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure

On DVD: Sep 3, 2002

Critic Reviews

Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
Blaxploitation heaven.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
The blended themes are awkward and unnerving.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Chris W

Some don't feel like this is a Blaxploitation film, as it is far better in quality and content than most of those films. I disagree though. It came out in 1973, is about a pimp and his struggle with the MAN, and is a black film through and through. I think it definitely counts.… More
Some don't feel like this is a Blaxploitation film, as it is far better in quality and content than most of those films. I disagree though. It came out in 1973, is about a pimp and his struggle with the MAN, and is a black film through and through. I think it definitely counts. It just happens to be very high end. Having a good sized budget and the distinction of looking good help. It also really helps that the film is quite well witten, features terrific performances, and that the subject matter is handled in a good way that many lesser films fail at doing. His role isn't as big as I thought, but Richard Pryor does a really good job here in a nice and serioud dramatic role. Max Julien is excellent though. He's a guy you really feel for, and want to see him succeed. Unlike a lot of movies about pimips, this one isn't really exploitative with the subject matter. It's a lot like "Willie Dynamite" in that regard. This is probably though, the movie that started it all let's say, when it came to brining the profession of pimping into the mainstream. Besides great perforances, a good look, and a well-written script, this movie just excells in the substance department. This is not a kitschy film. It treats the subject matter with respect, while simultaneously being about something, and providing reasons for the action. The message isn't necessarily a new one, but it's done well and I think this is a movie that scholars could find a lot to chew on (both positively and negatively, but I would mostly hope positively). I really like the soundtrack too. Willie Hutch's music is awesome. He also did the music for "Foxy Brown". They're probably hard to come by, but i would love the get the soundtracks for both this and that. All in all, a quite excellent Baxploitation film that is actually accessible to all audiences, and suprisingly good given the sbject matter and the belief that this might be some sort of kitschy, silly mess.
AJ V

I didn't watch the entire movie, I got bored, but I've heard good things about it, so I think I may give it another try.
Cassandra M

This movie is a classic of blaxploitation movies. It's also a must see for crime movies fans because it's theme is not so frequent in a crime movies and I can't understand why because pimping is one of the most popular criminal activities. I've seen some other… More
This movie is a classic of blaxploitation movies. It's also a must see for crime movies fans because it's theme is not so frequent in a crime movies and I can't understand why because pimping is one of the most popular criminal activities. I've seen some other films about pimps but there a pimping wasn't a main theme. This movie is all about a pimping. There are many interesting dialogs and monologues and also a discussions about pimping. Max Julien did great as a Goldie. I also liked Richard Pryor's performance but he didn't get much of a show. So if you are crime movies fan you must see this film because it's one of a few which talks about pimping so openly.
El Hombre I

The Mack features all of the elements that exploitation fans crave. The cops in this film are so racist, they may as well have been wearing white hoods. Keeping with a common theme in blaxploitation flicks, all white men in this film are evil, whereas white hookers are a valued… More
The Mack features all of the elements that exploitation fans crave. The cops in this film are so racist, they may as well have been wearing white hoods. Keeping with a common theme in blaxploitation flicks, all white men in this film are evil, whereas white hookers are a valued source of pride for their black pimps. The film is also quite violent, although not in a gory or graphic way. One particularly brilliant scene of torture had me thinking that today's torture porn directors really need to step back and watch films like this. Sometimes a clever torture can be insinuated to far greater effect than just showing a power drill plunge into someone's chest. Don't let the goofy DVD cover and the presence of Richard Pryor fool you. The Mack is a serious and straight forward blaxploitation crime flick. It's a brutal and dirty look at a decent man forced into crime by circumstance, and the ways in which money and power corrupt him. <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view¤t=themack.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/themack.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Greg S

Returning from prison to the streets, Goldie decides to create a pimping empire, fighting racist cops, a drug dealing kingpin, rival pimps and his socially conscious brother along the way. Despite the injection of fresh blaxploitation themes into a tired rise and fall of a crimelord… More
Returning from prison to the streets, Goldie decides to create a pimping empire, fighting racist cops, a drug dealing kingpin, rival pimps and his socially conscious brother along the way. Despite the injection of fresh blaxploitation themes into a tired rise and fall of a crimelord scipt, the film winds up cliched rather than campy. Exceptional for the sartorial mackwear and occasionally funny philosophical musings on pimpin' only.
Lesley N

"You gonna have a bank roll so big, when you walk down the street, it gonna look like your pockets got the mumps" Goldy finishes his five year stretch, and decides to make good as a pimp through the well-trod path of rise, revenge and redemption. Never mind the… More
"You gonna have a bank roll so big, when you walk down the street, it gonna look like your pockets got the mumps" Goldy finishes his five year stretch, and decides to make good as a pimp through the well-trod path of rise, revenge and redemption. Never mind the dubious sexual politics and enjoy the funky dialogue. "Can you dig it?" "Right on....". Great score by Willie Hutch.