Serpent noir

I had watched every Russ Meyer film I could rent in chronological order from an underground video store in preparation for a screening of "Faster Pussycat" at Film Forum, where I worked at the time. There were probably a couple titles unavailable, but I saw pretty much all of them. My feminist roommate hated them, because many of them seemed to glorify and sexualize violence against women--something I am very strongly against. My argument, however, is that all the characters in Meyer's films are awful, the men and the women, which is what makes them so campy and over-the-top melodramatic. I grew to love the rhythms of his editing, which were genius and signature, and his delicious, stylish cinematography. When I got to this film, my entire attitude toward him changed. With one film, he proved himself to be a true cinematic master and auteur. Black Snake is visually stunning, terribly disturbing, powerful, and a tour de force. I actually asked Meyer about a DVD release (he personally answers the phone at his office), which I felt was a great compliment to the quality of this film. He seemed annoyed by the question. I hope he changes his mind and offers this on DVD. It's a great work of cinematic art.

If you can make it thru "classic Meyer" titles/intro, you can wade thru anything. But would you want to? I did not find a lot there to dig my teeth into. I suppose if you go into it with low enuff expectations you will be delighted (a la Charlie's Angels.) But for my money I'd like a little something more, more visual, more moving. More. I feel like I'm begging for gruel @ the foot of the master . the mans got the goods . but he just won't share.

Black Snake (1973)

*** (out of 4)

Outrageously insane film from Russ Meyer, which is best described as Roots as a comedy. An evil blonde woman running a slave plantation beats her slaves at any chance she gets but soon the slaves fight back. This is so incredibly insane and politically incorrect that it's no wonder it bombed at the box office and nearly took Meyer broke. You'd think the film was going after laughs ala Blazing Saddles but that's not the case because the film is actually trying to be serious one moment in regards to racism but the next minute it's trying to be your typical Meyer comedy. I just don't get what the hell he was going for. The stereotypes are in poor taste, everything from the way the slaves talk to the way they behave. With all of that said, the film is unlike anything I've ever seen and there comes a point where you just have to roll your eyes and laugh at how stupid it is. I admit that this thing is so over the top that I couldn't help but laugh. Should I feel bad for that? Perhaps but I really don't know what the hell this film was trying to say or if it was trying to say anything at all. Perhaps it was trying to be like a Mel Brooks film but if so, it certainly crosses the line of good taste. Perhaps blaxploitation? Perhaps Meyer was on drugs at the time? If anyone knows the answer I'd love to hear it.

I saw this movie about 6-7 years ago at the midnight premier on German cable television and I do not wonder why many people don´t know this flick, because it´s the most unusual work director Russ Meyer ever did: there are no women with outsized tits, and the typical grotesque humor is also missing. Instead of it "Black Snake!" is a plain final speech against any form of colonialism, suppression and slavery. Main actress Anouska Hempel leads her plantation like a cruel mistress treats her subordinates, but at the end the exploited revolt and take bitter revenge against their tormentors... Perhaps this film is the most political statement Russ Meyer ever did, although it also contains a big circumference of sexual symbols and a lot of violent sequences. People who love B-movies or the exploitation films from the 70s will surely like this one. However, inveterated Russ Meyer fans should take care: this is not business as usual!!!

Operating under the firm belief that his brother has been murdered by his evil wife, "Sir Charles Walker" (David Warbeck) decides to travel to the Caribbean Island which "Lady Susan Walker" (Anouska Hempel) has turned into a slave plantation. However, since he needs proof before he can press charges he assumes the new name of "Ronald Sopwith" and goes there under the pretense of being her new bookkeeper. When he gets there he is horrified to discover how cruel the slaves are being treated by not only her but also her Irish foreman "Joxer Tierney" (Percy Herbert) and the man in charge of her security, "Captain Raymond Daladier" (Bernard Boston). He also learns that when they are not whipping the slaves their main occupation seems to be in satisfying their carnal desires. Now rather than reveal any more of this movie I will just say that this picture wasn't too bad as far as "blaxploitation" films go. A couple of criticisms I have concerned the longest intro I have seen in quite a while, a very weak ending synopsis and the lack of substance concerning the character development which caused all of them to seem rather one-dimensional. That being the case, this is certainly not the best film in the genre and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly below average.