L'exécuteur noir

While enjoying a cook out on a ranch with several friends, a bi-plane appears out of nowhere and begins spreading the area with bullets. Although the former Green Berets soldier by the name of "Slaughter" (Jim Brown) is not killed, several of his friends lie dead and dying all around him and he immediately vows to kill those responsible. But first he has to find out who issued the contract on him and why. But before he can initiate an investigation he has to find a safe place for his girlfriend "Marcia" (Gloria Hendry) and somehow get the police off of his back as well. Unfortunately, this process becomes more problematic the closer he gets. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this turned out to be a fairly decent "Blaxploitation" film with good action and solid acting all around. Likewise, the addition of Judith Brown (as "Norja") and the aforementioned Gloria Hendry certainly didn't hurt the scenery in any way either. On the other hand, I have to admit that it loses points on the "realism scale" due to a couple of scenes which defied reality. Even so, I thought that this sequel was a slight improvement over the 1972 film "Slaughter" and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

As blaxploitation movies go, this fares o.k, but isn't anything remarkable. Big Jim Brown, if you don't know, is one of this famous black stars of the 70's, who's big set build, makes a viable commodity in these pics. Playing a famous, ever so cool character, in this so called sequel (the original I liked less), he finds himself in quite a pickle, as he becomes a marked man, by some dudes he ripped off, where at the start, his best friend, and a very familiar Police Academy face, buy the farm instead. Slaughter intends to find out who's responsible, and find them, before he becomes a memory. Not many surprises, the main one, being near the end, stretching reality some, but in light of it's faults, SBRO doesn't come off, as not a badly made pic, where Slaughter still has time to make love, especially to one hottie, who bares and gives herself completely to him. Another one, a blonde bombshell, who this pimp soughts out, will stay in your mind, Some nice blood shed too, as well as some good performances, notably, or surprisingly, ex t.v. show host, Mcmahon as a drug baron, and Don Stroud, as a great nasty, of a hitman. Hendry as Slaughter's girl isn't bad either. Brown is so perfect for Slaughter, it's just in the voice, but on the surface, this movie, I felt was more a let down, or limited to be more precise. Metaphorically a let down, like Stroud, letting the air out of that time. Great soundtrack.

This meandering tale of mob revenge is simply not very interesting, even with Ed McMahon in a ripe role as the chief heavy. Jim Brown kicks ass effectively, Gloria Hendry proves again that she can bring life to even the poorest roles, and Brock Peters is decent as The Cop Who Plays By the Book. It's still dull and badly constructed, and even the print shown on cable is now emasculated of its original James Brown score.

Here's another another golden oldie, a well made feature film, blaxploitation tale, with some thrilling action, especially the start, with the fake orange and reddy gore. We too, have hot broads, as well as the big black dude you don't mess with, as referenced by other black dudes: The one and only Jim Brown (Fireball in The Running Man) who makes most men look small. We have great villains, of course of being the eternal Don Stroud, plus a surprising well acted, and genuinely authentic performance by Ed Mcmahon. Some people want Slaughter dead, where he must of crossed some really bad guys, half the fun in the story, that has us, wondering if he'll survive, which we probably know he will. Recognize a voice and face right at the start. Sounds and looks like a very familiar Police Academy regular. How Slaughter survives a drowning, with his car catapulting off a towering cliff into the seas, had me flummoxed where his girl wasn't so lucky. If you like the attributes of what I've just mentioned, and you're a serious 70's action fan, this will make your night.

Somehow, this film burrowed it's way into the soft spot of my heart. Don't ask me how it happened, but I suppose having the film feature Ed "I'll Sponsor Anything" McMahon as a tail-chasing crack hustler had a bit to do with it.

Frankly, I was disappointed with Slaughter's first outing in 1972. Nothing more than a quick throw-together to follow Shaft-mania. How does the sequel get away from this? Big Jim Brown seems stronger as Slaughter here than in the first. Perhaps this is due to the fact that one year later he had something to work from, instead of his simple "Be like Shaft" motivation before.

The most outstanding part about the film is the soundtrack provided by pimp-daddy number one, James Brown. Almost every scene is graced with a touch of funk by the Godfather. An excellent period film, for the music, wardrobe, vehicles, lingo, and hair. I should also point out this film is also an excellent period film to represent a time in motion picture history when Jim Brown and Ed McMahon could actually GROW hair.

Double the chicks, double the blow, triple the body count, and factor in Ed McMahon and James Brown. You'll be in for one hell of a 70s action flick, and one that outshines it's predecessor no less. For my money, Slaughter's Big Rip-Off can play ball with any Blaxploitation film ever made. Even Shaft. Chances are you'll disagree, but Slaughter's Big Rip-Off has it's own distinct feel. Something the original was lacking.