Bucktown

I utterly enjoyed Bucktown from whoa to go.

This must have been one of Fred Williamson's better movies where he delivers as much as he usually talks.

Pam Grier was great with her no nonsense attitude, not taking anyones jive lol (jive is such a great word).

Does go a little nutso when the armoured vehicle is introduced but just roll with it and you will be fine.

The villians, and there are heaps of them, are mega. They really provide some great moments and act as a good counterpoint for our heroes.

Fits nicely towards the top of the Blaxploitation genre.

Good laughs and good action save the day :)

After the death of his brother a man named "Duke Johnson" (Fred Williamson) travels down south to a place called "Bucktown" to attend the funeral. After the funeral he is pressured by his brother's friends to reopen the bar his brother owned long enough to sell it prior to departing back east. However, when he does this he finds that the entire police force of the town is corrupt and rather than being held hostage to extortion decides to call a friend to come down and help him out. Little does he realize that when he does this all hell is about to break loose. Now, rather than reveal any more of this movie and risk spoiling it for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this movie had the potential to be an excellent "blaxploitation" movie especially given the fine performances of Pam Grier (as "Aretha") and the aforementioned Fred Williamson. Unfortunately, the story became more and more implausible as it progressed to the point that it totally lacked any semblance of realism toward the end. Even so I still thought it was somewhat enjoyable and I rate it as slightly above average.

Fred Williamson plays Duke Johnson who is visiting a Southern town in order to bury his brother Ben and to try to sell Ben's Club Alabam bar which just closed. He has to wait 60 days, however, so he now has to stay during that time before he can do it. With the advice of Harley (Bernie Hamilton), however, Duke decides to once again open the bar. During some of that time, Harley's friend Aretha (Pam Grier) has some friction with him concerning his not even going to visit his brother during those last years before they fall in love. Along the way, some racist neighbors try to get some money from him which then has Duke inviting some friends like Roy (Thalmus Rasulala) to kick their ass. After that happens, well, something worse happens...While the drama was pretty compelling concerning the players I just mentioned, I have to admit some disappointment in not having Ms. Grier do some fighting herself since I've been used to her doing so in her other AIP movies. It's seems to be Fred doing it all by himself most of time. So if you're expecting something campy, you won't find it here. But if you don't mind drama mixed with action, Bucktown might be your cup of tea.

Well, she doesn't show those Pammeries often (just one time) in this film, but just the chance to see Ms. Grier perform is worth the price of admission.

She actually has a very meaty role in the 70s blaxploitation flick that also stars Fred Williamson (From Dusk Till Dawn), who is set to play Henry Kissinger in his 100th film this year; and Carl Weathers (Rocky I-IV, "In the Heat of the Night"), and Thalmus Rasulala (Willie Dynamite, Blacula).

Bob Ellison's screenplay actually is interesting for the genre and the twist in the story is unique.

And, did I mention it is another chance to see Ms. Grier?

The storyline threw me for a loop when I first saw it. For a 70's movie, this is good stuff.

It's possibly Carl Weathers' first movie (he made two movies that year), and I wish he would've had more lines, but he really played his part well.

I also love Tony King's role and how he played the part. He's the perfect villain.

I love how the crew from Philadelphia came to town with style, attitude, and swagger dripping from their suits.

Nevertheless, Fred Williamson was the ultimate Alpha male, and Pam Grier was the sweetest woman. The only not-so-good thing about this movie is the final fight scene. It could've been better.