Customer Reviews

Hell in Harlem [VHS]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

First, make sure you get Black Caesar, because Hell in Harlem is the Part II of Black Caesar. Both movies are soooo retro classic! The suits, the lingo, the swag, this movie has it! Definitely, Fred Williamson is one of my favorite actors. Forget Scarface, Black Caesar is the BOSS!!!!

the sequel to black ceasar i watch this movie after i watch black ceasar fantastic acting by fred williamson

TOMMY RETURNS AFTER A FAILED ASSASINATION ATTEMEPT AND EXACTS REVENGE ON ALL THE FOOLS WHO BETRAYED HIM. IF YOU LIKED BLACK CEASAR, YOU'LL LIKE THIS PICTURE.

Hell Up In Harlem is a sequel to Black Caesar. Black Caesar, clearly "inspired by" the classic gangster film, Little Caesar, showed the evolution of Tommy Gibbs (Fred Williamson) from errand boy for the mob to Black Godfather of Harlem. It was never in any danger of winning an Oscar, but it was a classic blaxploitation movie and well worth seeing.

You had to suspend your disbelief a little to enjoy it, (the Black Gangsters are better than the Italian ones at everything, including speaking Sicilian and if the Mafia was as bumbling as they are shown in these films, it seems like somebody would have pushed them out of power years ago.) . . . but the movie was fun and the characters were interesting. The story, although not original, held together well and more importantly, held our attention.

The movie did well enough at the box office to demand a sequel. Unfortunately, the sequel lacks the focus and energy of the original. It picks up the story right where the original ended, but with the twist that the ending of the original has been changed (Gibbs died in the original). In the sequel, instead of dieing, Gibbs manages to have his gangsters take over a hospital. He utilizes ledgers that show payoffs to politicians, to get him and his gang safe passage and a dismissal of all charges. Then he goes back to the business of running Harlem . . . or at least he tries to. He is faced with dissention from within the ranks of his own gang and resentment from the white power structure that he has driven out of Harlem.

Most of the cast and characters are back for the sequel, but they seem to have mutated, and not for the better. Revered Rufus, Gibb's oldest friend, has now become a televangelist who preaches against Gibb's, but not against Gibb's rivals in the Mafia. Gibb's father, who in the first film turned down Gibb's offer of money and power in order to go back to selling cosmetics, now becomes an assassin and later a Black Godfather in his own right. If these sorts of changes sound hard to follow, that's because they are . . . the fact that we are never given any reason for the character's changes doesn't exactly help our understanding.

The plot, such as it is, fails to tell a coherent story. Gibb's character bounces back and forth between sadism (punishing his ex-wife by kidnapping her children, who aren't his, he just doesn't want her to see them) and trying to explain why he isn't just like the white criminals who used to run Harlem (while running Harlem pretty much like they used to do). One minute he is trying to start a family with his new wife, the next he is abandoning her.

Fred Williamson projects a lot of charisma on screen and this movie definitely has some camp value, but all in all it's just not a good movie. Some scenes still have entertainment value, but they are so overdone that they are almost painful to watch. (The black maids "punishing" their former Mafia employers by forcing them to eat soul food, the New York City black gangsters launching an amphibious attack in the Caribbean via "snorkel" etc.)

All in all, this movie is only for those who want to complete their blaxploitation movie collection.

HELL UP IN HARLEM is the fast as lightning sequel to BLACK CAESAR, and a cornerstone of any Blaxploitation library. First, to the DVD specs: this edition is in the original 1:85 to 1 aspect ratio, and, while grainy, is true to its source. This movie was shot on the fly and on the cuff for American International Pictures on weekends, while Larry Cohen was filming IT'S ALIVE for Warners Monday thru Friday. The film stock was whatever was handy, so you will notice pretty serious grain come and go, depending on the stock used that day. In a way, it gives the movie a bit of a documentary feel. Of course, maybe I'm just being generous. . .

Also included on the DVD are two trailers for the movie, and a riotous commentary by writer/director/producer Larry Cohen which should be required listening for any aspiring moviemaker. Since BLACK CAESAR was such a big hit in February of 1973, AIP wanted a sequel as fast as possible. HELL UP IN HARLEM was in theatres by December of that same year. That kind of turnaround is not possible in today's movie world. Did you know that Fred Williamson wasn't available for most of the New York shooting because he was in California doing THAT MAN BOLT for Universal? Thus the extensive use of a Williamson double, whom Cohen is happy to point out! Hey! Ya do whatcha gotta do ta get the thing done. . .

As to the movie itself, its plot may at times not make sense (and when you listen to Cohen's commentary, he owns up to it without a bit of shame), but it moves like a mutha. Fred's character is still the black Godfather, operating outside the corrupt law of New York, but with a code of ethics and honor. And, yes, he did get killed in BLACK CAESAR, but Cohen and cast figured out a way to bring him back to life. Audiences in the Seventies wanted action, a hero, good looking men and women, hissable villains and a pumpin' music score. HELL UP IN HARLEM does indeed deliver the goods. Fred Williamson looks great in the white suit and the late Julius Harris (Tee Hee in LIVE AND LET DIE) does a fine job, returning as Fred's papa. Check this one out, and don't forget to listen to Cohen's commentary track! Besides, if you don't, you won't hear the James Brown story!

I liked it better than Black Caesar. There is more action and Drama in this one, as Tommy takes revenge on those who set him up in the first one.

Just a really good film. Think ODD MAN OUT of the 70's.