Bucktown

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.

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.

"Bucktown" is certainly less melodramatic and more savvy than most 70's blaxploitation fare. In this film, Fred Williamson stars as Duke, who returns home to Bucktown to bury his brother and resume business at his brother's bar. He soon discovers the corrupt white police force had his brother - alongside everyone else - in their pocket and intend to keep it that way. Urging against any confrontation is the eternally sexy Pam Grier as Aretha, a local. Duke calls in some friends from the big city to oust the cops, who are led by Duke's longtime pal Roy. Once the cops are out, the grateful mayor wants to thank Duke's friends with a great parade; but unbeknownst to Duke, Roy and his crew become aware of the judicial and financial power the police force had, and now suddenly have other plans...

One thing I really enjoyed about this film is that while I enjoy (over and over) the many films where Pam Grier is naked, it was nice to see one of her blaxploitation films where her nudity is dissolved to only one scene. Also, she isn't scantily clad in every frame. She appears classic and tasteful in fine outfits with glittering earrings and complimenting make-up. I know you guys want - and are accustomed to - seeing her breasts every 10 minutes, but I found it a nice change of pace to see her in a more graceful light. The final showdown of the film is tremendous, loaded with hilariously menacing "I'm gonna beat you down, boy" prologues between the two combatants. There is also good use made of a tank in this film, but I don't want to spoil the whole experience for you. Check it out for yourself.

Duke Johnson (Fred Williamson) comes to Bucktown to bury his brother and settle his business. A few locals talk Duke into staying on and re-opening his brother's bar. The locals, however, don't tell Duke how his brother really died or about the racists that run Bucktown. Duke enlists some out-of-town friends to help him deal with his problems. With his black friends in power, things should be looking up for Duke. But he soon realizes that regardless of skin color, power corrupts. Once again, Duke must fight for what he believes in.

I suppose the biggest reason to see Bucktown is the chance to catch Fred Williamson and Pam Grier in the same movie. They're dynamite together and exhibit some real chemistry. I was impressed with Williamson in particular. I've seen too many movies from later in his career where he sleepwalks his way to a paycheck. Not here. He really seems to be into it. As for Grier, she's terrific. The supporting cast is exceptionally strong for this kind of movie. Thalmus Rasulala is an actor who has always impressed me and he does nothing to change my opinion in Bucktown. Carl Weathers and Tony King also give nice performances. But nobody goes into a movie like this for the acting. The action and fight scenes in Bucktown are wonderful. Fists, knives, guns – this movie has it all and does it all very well. The fight choreography and staging is about the best I've seen in a Blaxploitation movie. Very nicely done!

But as much as I enjoyed the actors and the action, I still can't rate Bucktown higher than a 5/10. Why? The movie makes no sense. Maybe I should just suspend logic and go with it, but I can't. In my way of thinking, you just can't kill a bunch of people without some sort of reprisal. A whole load of lawmen are killed and no one seems to take notice? I don't care if they were good-for-nothing racists, someone (State officials, family members, concerned citizens,, etc.) would surely take notice and come to town to do something about it. And if the State or whoever isn't going to do anything about all the killing, don't you think the Army would take notice of someone stealing one of their vehicles? I'm sorry, but there's no logic to any of it.