Product Details

• Actors: Godfrey Cambridge, Clarice Taylor, Leonard Jackson, Virginia Capers, Glynn Turman
• Directors: Oscar Williams
• Writers: Charlie L. Russell
• Producers: Brock Peters, Kay Korwin, Michael Tolan
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: July 10, 2001
• Run Time: 96 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005BKZF
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,347 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Soul Cinema Classic, May 28, 2003

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Diaspora Chic "diaspora_chic" (Silver Spring, MD) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Five On The Black Hand Side [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The summary of the movie on the back of the video cover says it all--glorified, unified, and filled-with-pride. "Five on the Black Hand Side" portrays an African-American family going through changes during the 1970s. The older brother Booker T. Washington Brooks is a socialist who talks the talk, but doesn't walk the walk. His younger brother Gideon, is a black revolutionary who defies the father and everyone around him. Their sister is getting married and the mother, Mrs. Brooks has had it with her husband. She doesn't really want out of her marriage but she wants some change in their marriage, which not only means her, but her husband. Mrs. Brooks goes to war with help from her neigbors and children. Mr. Brooks wants the best for his children but he is too controlling of how they should live their lives which creates a friction between Gideon and him. He is also resistant to change.
This movie during its period dealt with the issues of gender within the African-American community as well as racism and socialism. I wonder if "Barbershop" got their idea from this movie!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Film Classic, May 19, 2001

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peacenewyork (New York, Ny USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Five On The Black Hand Side [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is a true film classic. Comedy or not. It was written by Charlie Russell, who also was a counselor in the S.E.E.K. college program at City College in New York. His brother is the Basketball star Bill Russell. All this to say that, Charlie may have surprised many people who did not know he was a writer and who eventually made such a classic true comedy. It is based on the trials and liberation of 'Mrs Brooks' from 'Mr Brooks'. All of this is done without exploiting the lifestyle of Black folks. You just must see this film to see what a true comedy is like, Black or White...it is a true "Classic".

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An AfroAmerican Classic !!!!....A Must See For All Races!, August 22, 2001

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MICHAEL L. STRINGER (LOS ANGELES, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Five On The Black Hand Side [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I can remember seeing "Five On The Black Hand Side" as a teenager in Los Angeles California at the Baldwin Hills Movie Theater in 1973. This movie gave me a sense of being very proud of my blackness, It gave me hope in being who I am...To walk with dignity and hold my head and not be ashamed of who I am. Every human being on this planet earth regardless of race, color or creed should be proud of their heritage and most of all, be very proud of THEMSELVES and to go for your positive dreams..This movie represents just that.I strongly suggest this movie to be purchased from AMAZON and add it to your movie collection.