Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song
Seen it?1971 | 98 min | Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
It made about 101 times its budget, but a lukewarm 5.1 out of 10 from audiences held it back. 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. If you loved Coffy, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 38 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated NC-17: expect sex.
- Made in 1971: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
After saving a Black Panther from some racist cops, a black male prostitute goes on the run from "the man" with the help of the ghetto community and some disillusioned Hells Angels.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsSolid
73% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
5.1 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$15 million worldwide on a $150K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 109K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Melvin Van Peebles
- Melvin Van PeeblesSweetback
- Simon ChucksterBeetle
- Mario Van PeeblesYoung Sweetback
- John DullaghanCommissioner
- John AmosBiker
- Lavelle Roby
- Rhetta HughesOld Girlfriend
- Norman Fields
- Joe Tornatore
- Mikel Angel