Together Brothers

Mr. Green and Mr. Dewitt really crafted a masterpiece with this film. Dismiss anything you've heard about Together Brothers, which boxes it in as a period piece. It is actually an urban crime drama cast in urban decay. The plot surrounds a gang of youths, "the Brothers" of the title, who work to solve the murder of an honorable patrolman. Additionally, they must move quickly to protect a young witness - who is doggedly pursued by the cop-killer.

For most of the movie, the killer is lurking in the shadows. But when he is finally revealed, he remains one of the most indelible head cases of movie land. The late Lincoln Kilpatrick really brings it as Billy Most. All the while, the film covers still timely topics as urban decay, police brutality, class warfare, urban decay, and ethnic strife. Together Brothers truly is ahead of its time, and like too many movies made between the mid 1960s and 1980s, digs up the unpleasant underbelly of Americana.

Nothing new, but a well-executed chase/suspense/urban thriller. Has the feel of a late 1940s Hollywood on-location "street" film, with the European influence.

Very watchable, enjoyable.

Despite being picked up by a major Hollywood studio, "Together Brothers" is one of the most obscure entries in the Blaxploitation genre that was so popular in the early 1970s. It may be pretty unknown, because it's not as flashy and flamboyant as most other Blaxploitation movies of the period. In fact, it takes itself pretty seriously throughout. The serious script does provide some interest, though it's not without flaws. The story is kind of rambling and unfocused at times; you can sense some real padding at times. Also, most of the characters are somewhat underwritten and lacking true different personalities from each other. But while the characters may be inadequately written at times, the (mostly) no-name cast does a pretty good job acting out these characters; there isn't a shabby performance in all of the cast. And the movie is often directed in a real way where it almost feels like you are a fly on the wall and seeing real people in real situations. You can really sense the grit and realism. If you are in a patient mood and are prepared for some minor imperfections, you'll probably find this movie a sometimes interesting change of pace from other genre entries of this period.

I was born in 1964 and "Together Brothers" was one of the first movies I saw in The Fox Theater in downtown Detroit after riding the bus at the age of 10 yrs old. This movie has never left my memory. I bring it up in conversation with people who came up in the same era to see if they remember and I've yet to run across anyone who remembers the movie. I was in the movie theater with my oldest brother (only 4 years older than me) and I can remember being a little afraid because the movie was dark and "a bad man" was after a little boy. I also remember feeling a little pride (for a 10 yr old) in the boys for trying to find the man who killed the police officer. I've been trying to find information on the movie in order to purchase it. I've been all over the Internet but run into dead ends. The closest I come to any information is the sound track from Barry White and the Unlimited Orchestra. Is there anyone out there who can help me?

A gritty, sympathetic but unsentimental portrayal of ghetto life, this film was very much a product of its time, and though some of its attributes would be considered blatantly non-PC today, it's still worth a look if you can find it.

The plot is simple: when the uniformed officer who mentors a group of urban teens is found brutally murdered, the "brothers" band together to find the killer (hence the title.) The plot twist: the younger brother of one of the group saw the murder, and was almost dispatched by the killer himself. Traumatized by the incident, the boy is mute for nearly the entire movie, adding to the suspense as the killer stalks him, and closes in to silence him for good, if possible.

Comprised of a cast of unknown non-actors, TOGETHER BROTHERS has very much a documentary feel to it, highlighted by actor Lincoln Kilpatrick, in one of the bravest performances he had ever given in his career (offsetting the OTT ham-and-cheesiness of his role opposite Anthony Zerbe in THE OMEGA MAN.)

Adding to the atmosphere is the only score ever composed for a film by Barry White, which may seem overwrought and "blaxploitation-ish" out of context, but underscores the movie's dark visuals with stunning effectiveness.

A Seventies gem that I hope will someday be made available on DVD, if it's not too late.