Product Details

• Actors: Fred Williamson, Julius Harris, Gloria Hendry, Margaret Avery, D'Urville Martin
• Directors: Larry Cohen
• Writers: Larry Cohen
• Producers: James Dixon, Larry Cohen, Janelle Webb, Peter Sabiston, Samuel Z. Arkoff
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Orion / MGM
• VHS Release Date: May 26, 1998
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0792899652
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #499,351 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Fred Williamson returns as Tommy Gibbs, the self-styled Godfather of Harlem in Larry Cohen's quickly made sequel to the low-budget Black Caesar. The film opens with a different perspective on the finale from the earlier film, this time with Gibbs surviving an assassination attempt with the help of his estranged father (Julius Harris), who becomes Tommy's new chief lieutenant in his rebuilt organization. Tommy takes his revenge on those who set him up but faces a new threat from within as the corrupt DA partners with an ambitious gang member to take Tommy down. It's not going to be as easy as they think. Shooting on NYC streets and locations, Cohen punches up the slim rise-and-fall/revenge story line with gritty action, a driving pace, and edgy, always-on-the-move, hand-held camera work. The production feels rushed at times and the performances don't have the energy of the previous film, but Cohen doesn't give you much time to think about it with his speeding plot and machine-gun editing, moved along nicely with help from Edwin Starr's funky score. --Sean Axmaker

Product Description

Tougher than Shaft and smoother than Superfly, this high-voltage sequel to Black Caesar explodes with enough action to incinerate New York City. Packed with machine-gun mayhem and riveting adventure, Hell up in Harlem is nothing less than a modern-day tribute to the classic 30s gangster film. Fred Williamson (Original Gangstas) is Tommy Gibbs, a fearless, bulletproof tough guy who blasts his way from the gutter to become the ultimate soul brother boss. When he steals a ledger with the name of every crooked cop and official on the mob's payroll, he becomes the most hunted man in the city. Enlisting the aid of his father and an army of Harlem hoods, Gibbs goes from defense to offense, launching a deadly attack on his enemies that sets off a violent chain reaction from Harlem all the way to the Caribbean, climaxing in one of the hottest turf-war shoot-outs in Hollywood history.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good movie, but.........., August 23, 2000

By 

T. Henderson "filmphan" (The Sands Hotel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hell Up in Harlem [VHS] (VHS Tape)

But, not as good as Black Caesar. There was a good deal of action in this film, more than the predecessor, and you can definetly tell that a lot more money was spent on this movie, however it lacked the originality and spontanaity of the first film. The action scenes were better, and the story was very well thought out, but the movie just lacked something. Tommy Gibbs is still a super ... though, and I wouldn't wanna mess with him. "Hell Up In Harlem" just strikes me as a sequel with a LOT of potential, and energy that would have made a fine film, but the tale gets caught up too much in trying to out do the first film, instead of building upon it. ... I think this is a must see for fans of the fisrt film, but don't be surprised if you are disappointed.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Movie of the 70's era!, December 26, 1999

By 

Tommy Gibbs (Dallas,TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hell Up in Harlem [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Hell Up in Harlem is a truly genius for its time period. The movie showed creativity and plot unparalled in the early 70's. If you love 70's gangsta movies this one is a must!

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great sequel to Black Ceasar, June 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Hell Up in Harlem (DVD)

Fred Williamson is the man. He was the sexiest african american actor of the 70's..and still sexy today..:-)

It was a great sequel. The James Brown sound tracks were right on! I would suggest buying the 2 DVD special. It's a great deal. I've seen Black Ceasar and Hell up in Harlem sold for a lot more.

I will always love Fred Williamson. If you are Fred Williams fan..you will like him in One down..two to go" the "Kill Reflex".."Bucktown". I can go on and on.

I own every film that Fred Williamson has been in.