Original Gangstas
Seen it?1996 | 99 min | Action, Drama, Crime, Thriller
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With middling reviews (53% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a box office loss, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans, anyone who likes to be kept guessing and action fans.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 39 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect violence.
The Rebels rule the streets of Gary, Indiana. They shoot storekeeper Marvin Bookman for giving the police information about a drive-by shooting they committed. Marvin’s son, former NFL star and Rebel founder John returns to be with his father and, with a little help from some friends, to destroy the gang his way.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
53% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$4 million worldwide on a $5 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 34K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Larry Cohen
- Fred WilliamsonJohn Bookman
- Jim BrownJake Trevor
- Pam GrierLaurie Thompson
- Paul WinfieldReverend Dorsey
- Isabel SanfordGracie Bookman
- Oscar Brown Jr.Marvin Bookman
- Richard RoundtreeSlick
- Ron O'NealBubba
- Christopher B. DuncanSpyro
- Eddie Bo Smith Jr.Damien