Black Samson Blu Ray Review (Warner Archive Collection)

Black Samson is a 1974 crime action film directed by Charles Bail (Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold, CHIPs, Knight Rider, Dragnet, The New Adam-12, and The Gumball Rally). It was written by Warren Hamilton Jr (Mod Squad and Kiss of the Tarantula). It was produced by Daniel Cady (The Hang Up, Sweet Trash, The Cut-Throats, Grave of the Vampire, Garden of the Dead, Dolly Dearest, Black Starlet, and Dream No Evil). It grossed $93,962 in the U.S. and Canada. When white drug dealers which includes mobster Johnny Nappa (played by: William Smith from Maniac Cop, Red Dawn, The Losers, Uncle Sam, American Me, Action U.S.A., Conan the Barbarian, Seven, and Any Which Way You Can) try to move their dangerous operation into the ghetto, they do not plan on a local nightclub owner. Black Samson (played by: Rockne Tarkington from The Ice Pirates, Fists of Steel, The Great White Hope, Melinda, Black Starlet, and Death before Dishonor) is a master of martial arts, he wants to protect his community. They try to make a deal with him but when it fails they try to kill him. Samson and his pet lion won’t stand for all of this crime polluting his neighborhood. After they beat up his woman, he is willing to do whatever it takes to finish this war!!!! Black Samson is one of the most underrated blaxploitation features from the 70’s. It barely gets brought up but it’s one of the better efforts from the sub-genre. Director Charles Bail makes this crime action hybrid stand out a little more with it’s visual style. Probably the main thing that most remember from Black Samson is that he has a pet lion that stays at his nightclub. Rockne Tarkington mainly was a character actor with a variety of smaller or supporting roles during his career. This is one of his rare leading projects and he makes the best out of it. This is his greatest performance. He kinda reminds me of Jim Brown or Fred Williamson type. He has a strong presence about him. He’s a legit threat to anyone that tries to mess with his life. William Smith as Johnny Nappa is a excellent villain here. He’s willing to send his own girl undercover to find out more about his foe. He is ruthless and he will damn near sacrifice anyone to win in this situation..He feels his power in the streets being tested by Samson so he has to make an example of him. Unfortunately, he wakes up the beast in him after assaulting his girlfriend. The rest of the supporting cast includes Connie Strickland (Act of Vengeance), Carol Speed (The Big Bird Cage), Michael Payne (Good Guys Wear Black), Joe Tornatore (Mama’s Dirty Girls), Titos Vandis (The Exorcist), Napoleon Whiting (Fugitive Lovers), John Alderman (Cleopatra Jones), Fred Scheiwiller (The Swinging Cheerleaders), Ernest Robinson (The Final Comedown), Marilyn Joi (Hit Man), Bob Minor (Commando), and Nick Dimitri (Turner and Hooch). Lots of familiar faces from other genre productions show up in this. It has all kinds of action. Black Samson has a good amount of eye candy and the girls are not shy at all. It’s a very simple concept and execution but it works for something like this. It’s similar to others made around the same time but it has a few unique things that make it stand out a little more. It has lots of unintentional comedy that adds to it’s entertainment. Black Samson deserves more attention and appreciation. I’m really hoping this brand new home video release gives it a new life and audience, RECOMMENDED!!!! Let’s discuss this high definition presentation and special feature from the Warner Archive Collection! This 1080p (1.85:1) transfer is from a brand new restoration from the original camera negative. It’s a huge improvement over all the previous DVD and VHS home video releases. It’s the best it’s ever looked so far. It’s cinematography, production design, and locations are really sharp here. It has an English: DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track on the disc. The audio is great especially for being a lower budget 70’s production. The action shines in this. The soundtrack really stands here also. All of the dialogue is crisp, the retaliation is elevated, and the music has a huge boost to it. It has English SDH subtitles. The only extra on the disc is the “Trailer”. It’s available everywhere right now including MovieZyng.com, CHECK IT OUT!!!!