Product Details

• Actors: Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, Pam Grier, Paul Winfield, Isabel Sanford
• Directors: Fred Williamson, Larry Cohen
• Writers: Aubrey K. Rattan
• Producers: Fred Williamson, Linda Williamson, Vladimir Horunzhy, Wolf Schmidt
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Subtitles: English, French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• DVD Release Date: January 18, 2000
• Run Time: 99 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000035P7J
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,707 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Original Gangstas" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Larry Cohen scratched out some of the most memorably offbeat exploitation films of the 1970s, including two of the most energetic blaxploitation action classics: "Black Caesar" and its sequel, "Hell Up in Harlem", which made a star of Fred Williamson. In 1996 they reunited for this tribute to the good old days and producer-star Williamson brought along a few of his fellow 1970s blaxplo icons: Jim Brown ("Slaughter"), Pam Grier ("Foxy Brown"), Richard Roundtree ("Shaft"), and Ron O'Neal ("Superfly"). They play old friends and former members of a neighborhood gang in economically depressed Gary, Indiana, who reunite when a new generation of gangbangers using their old street name, the Rebels, turns the city into a war zone. It's great fun to see the old faces back on the screen--Williamson is still buff and tough, and Brown and Grier have become more charismatic with age--but they're let down by a slack script and lazy direction despite an almost nonstop barrage of gunfights and back-alley brawls. Even with revved-up 1990s firepower, the film never really captures the explosive energy of the films that made their reputations. You're better off seeing the originals. Paul Winfield and Isabel Sanford also star, and Cohen casts cult faves Charles Napier, Wings Hauser, and Robert Forster in supporting roles. "--Sean Axmaker"

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A violent reunion from back in the day, November 4, 2002

By 

Eric V. Moye (New York, by way of Dallas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Original Gangstas (DVD)

The reason to watch this movie is the reunion for those of us who remember the protagonists from the era of blaxploitation films in which we were introduced to them/ Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, Pam Grier, reconvene to take back their home town of Gary, Indiana from several well organized and terribly violent street gangs.

Also appearing in almost cameo roles are Ron O'Neal ("Superfly") and Richard Roundtree (the original John Shaft). Seeing them all together is a treat, but left me wondering why this quintet did not get more screen time all together. It is particularly pleasing to see Brown and Grier, who, as one of the expert reviewers noted, have aged very very well. However, the re-ignition of their former relationship is tepid and seemingly forced. By contrast, it has nowhere near the intensity seen when barely restrained Brown confronts a gang leader about the murder of his son.

I agree that the simplistic plot and the consistent (and predictable) violence keep this from being one of the great films of our time. Those who remember the first time seeing these individuals in character now some thirty years ago will enjoy seeing them all together again, and that makes this disc worthwhile.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars THEY'RE BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER!, July 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Original Gangstas [VHS] (VHS Tape)

What a collection of stars you'll never see again! Superfly, Foxy Brown, Black Caesar, football star Jim Brown and Shaft. It's the Superfriends of Blaxploitation films! Yes, it's violent and the plot is basic. Don't expect to be intellectully stimulated, however this film will entertain you. The action is great and so are the one liners! This is a must see for any fan of the genre. Don't know what to rent tonight? Rent ORIGINAL GANGSTAS!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This was one helluva reunion!, July 11, 2007

By 

Eric Robinson "Big E" (DETROIT, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Original Gangstas (DVD)

You couldn't ask for too much more of a black all star cast than this. You've got Jim Brown, Fred Williamson, Pam Grier, Ron O'neal and Richard Roundtree battling modern day gangs. They're kicking butt and taking names later. Paul Winfield and Isabel Sanford did pretty good as well in one of their last performances in movies. May their souls rest in peace. This is a good one to have in your collection.