Yep, this directly compares the Black Panthers to the Nazis. Thankfully legendary hack Lee Frost was reckless enough about the implied politics here to make this simultaneously completely indefensible and a total blast.
Cinemas
EN
Directed by Lee Frost
The Black Gestapo
A gritty, dark crime.
Crime
1975
1h 28m
2.8(1.6k)via LetterboxdRod Perry + 4 more
General Ahmed has started an inner-city People's Army to try and relieve the misery of the citizens of Watts. When the locals are put under increasing pressure by Mafia thugs, Ahmed's second-in-command Colonel Kojah asks for permission to start a protection squad to take more direct action. Ahmed fears this protection squad will just turn into a vigilante mob, and his prediction soon proves correct. Will Ahmed be able to wrest control back from the power-mad Kojah, or will he be the mob's next victim?
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Cast & crew
6What people say
As subtle as a brick to the face. And in case the message wasn't nuanced enough they throw in footage of Hitler and audio of Sieg Heil throughout to really hammer it home. Rod Perry is General Ahmed, the leader of the People's Army who exists to help the local people of Watts. Mobsters run rough shot on the area collecting protection from black businesses, running dope, and prostitution. These men do what they want when they want which includes the rape of General Ahmed's woman, this is one step too far as Ahmed agrees to let his second in command Colonel Kojah (Charles P. Robinson) put together a protection team to fight back against the mobsters. His first order of business is the castration of the piece of shit that committed the rape in a rather nasty bathtub scene. Of course, as time goes by Kojah and his group become just as bad as the people they replaced. It's not long before they're demanding even more protection from the people they're supposed to be helping even resorting to slinging dope and prostitution to make their money. They also change from their military-style green to full-on Nazi-esque uniforms - as I said nothing subtle here.Considering the nazi stuff and the buttons they're trying to push it is still a fun Blaxpototion movie. I thought the first half works better than the 2nd with the people fighting back against the racist white folk, once we get to the war between Kojah and Ahmed it loses a bit of steam. It doesn't have the most satisfying ending either which again does take away from the film. Overall it's still good fun. Keep your eyes peeled for Uschi Digard in all her glory.Blaxploitation Films Ranked
"Fucking cracker fucks" - Some guy in this film in the background once, - Complex Top 50 Blaxploitation: boxd.it/1w5paTW: all of them.... for real don't watch this.... don't do itThe Black Gestapo is to black political movements what Reefer Madness is to reasonable thinking about marijuana in that it goes so over the top it comes back around again occasionally. Watch highlights on YouTube or something and tell people you watched it because most of it is kind of offensive and/or boring.
Common questions
What is The Black Gestapo about?+
A vigilante group in Watts forms to fight organized crime but descends into a violent, fascist-style nightmare when its leadership is corrupted by power.
Who directed The Black Gestapo?+
The film was directed by Lee Frost, a filmmaker known for his work in the 1970s exploitation genre.
Is The Black Gestapo a blaxploitation film?+
Yes, it is a 1970s exploitation film that uses the conventions of the blaxploitation genre while incorporating controversial political symbolism.
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