Product Details

• Actors: Laurence Fishburne, Daniel Williams, Bill Cobbs, Natalie Cole, Laurie Metcalf
• Directors: Michael Apted
• Writers: Walter Mosley
• Producers: Laurence Fishburne, Anne-Marie Mackay, Helen McCusker, Jeanney Kim, Jeffrey Downer
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Hbo Home Video
• VHS Release Date: September 14, 1999
• Run Time: 104 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0783112637
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #177,718 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Item Name: Always Outnumbered; Studio: Hbo Home Video

Product Description

From Walter Mosley, author of ' 'Devil In A Blue Dress' ', comes Socrates Fortlow. Whether he?s running a killer out of town, falling in love with his best friend?s wife or trying to save the life of a murder witness, the way he?s fighting for his life is the way you want him fighting for yours. ' 'Superlative. Grade A' ' - People

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This movie just strikes a chord for me, October 30, 2005

By 

Blue Wolf (Laguna Niguel, CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Always Outnumbered (DVD)

I can certainly see how people could overlook this underpublicized gem. I can even see how some people just wouldn't identify with this film. I can't imagine, however, how anyone that has had any kind of serious struggle in their lives wouldn't be moved by this film and it incredible writing, acting, production, and HUMAN values. Socrates Fortlow is a brilliant symbol for something very special. Socrates Fortlow is a man, a human being, unwilling to abandon decency, compassion, and integrity in face of a life of overwhelming hardship.

There is no doubt that much of Fortlow's tragic life is a byproduct of some of his own rash actions. There is also no doubt that the deck was and still is stacked against him. If anything, this movie reinforces my own personal belief that some people pay for their mistakes more than others. What really moves me about this movie and this characters, however, is Fortlow's unyielding quest to acknowledge his shortcomings, be his own man, and share his tremendous inner strength with others who may be a little short on what they need to make the right decisions themselves.

Through his outreach, Fortlow places himself on a path to redemption, even though he scarely seems aware of this himself. Fortlow doesn't reach out as pennance, he does it because he genuinely seems to feel and care about those around him. He is driven by the kind of empathy and compassion that only someone that has suffered deeply can have. His kind actions are instinctive, not planned, and it underscores, in giant terms, the profound decency of the man: the kind of decency I only wish we could find among the "blameless."

This is definitely one of my personal "top 10" movies and I can't see it being displaced anytime soon.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Show this One to Prisoners, April 30, 2002

By 

Marianna S. Scheffer (Hilo, HI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Always Outnumbered (DVD)

Anyone who thinks this is a "slow" movie hasn't shown it to prisoners, the way I have. They love it. They identify with Socrates, understand his nobility. They see that Socrates can tell them something positive about themselves. Socrates knows his anger and how it has caused him to damage others in the past. The flashbacks to his crime are common among violent criminals and his warning never to harm again. Socrates has figured out how to take who he is as he is and make it work for himself and for all the people around him. He's a true hero and a role model for these "tough guys," the prisoners--a protector, never again a destroyer. The message I hope the prisoners pick up is about renunciation, retribution, and restitution. We correctional educators don't give up on these men but always have to believe they will find their way as Socrates eventually does.
This movie could only have been made by people who have been there and lived it. It is a gem.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong story, October 12, 2001

By 

Bakari Chavanu - See all my reviews

This review is from: Always Outnumbered Always Outgunned [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I really enjoyed the book and now I'm glad I finally saw the movie on video. It was also very good to see that it was produced by actor Larry Fishburn and the author Walter Mosley.

"Always Outnumbered" is such a compelling story. Mosely is not only trying to tell a very good story, he's also making strong social statements. He's trying to get us to understand the human condition and the need to have compassion for those who have made great mistakes in their life.

Socrates, the protaganist in this story, seeks redemption--but not redemption for its own sake. He made a mistake and now he's trying to find a way to get his life back on path, but he's not about doing it for selfish reasons. He just wants people to treat eachother better. Even in his violent way confronting problems, he just wants himself and others to be better. In other words, he doesn't want himself or others to "always be outnumber, always outgunned."

Lastly, I would like to say that production of this film is good. The narration by one of Socrate's friends helps to bring about continuity to the film. The director also using lots of panning shots and bright and dark lighting to convey social alienation of Los Angeles, particularly Watts, where Socrates lives.

This is not a major motion picture, but it's just the type of HBO film that respects a good story.