Review #355: 'Dolemite' (1975)

"Dolemite's the name, and fucking motherfuckers is my game." This line is symptomatic of the dialogue in most of the many blaxploitation films of the 1970's, a brand of exploitation cinema that revels in the violence and fashion of the black ghettos: It is in fact the first instance in cinema history that black actors were able to be the star. Dolemite (played by blaxploitation king/"godfather of rap"/disco godfather, Rudy Ray Moore) has been set up by corrupt cops, city mayor and the local king-pin, Willie Green (D'Urville Martin - also director), and sent to prison for 20 years. However, Queen Bee (Lady Reed) and a prison officer set him free so that he may get revenge on those who cheated him of his freedom, and clean the streets of these corrupt figures in society.

It is a pretty standard blaxploitation flick, with the requisite iconography: the ultimate '70's pimp look; a hareem of sexy girls (credited here as simply Dolemite girls); the obvious influence of Bruce Lee with a healthy dose of kung-fu; and, of course an almost perpetual presence of the boom-mic in-shot. It's unfortunate that through the majority of the list on our Grindhouse Project, we are offered pretty dull movies, which look incredibly action-packed and fun in a 2 minute trailer, but fails to be either when expanded to it's full 90 minutes.

This sub-genre was incredibly short-lived, and became pretty generic, and the acting throughout is appalling. However, despite the disappointment of the pace compared to the trailer, and the obvious stereo types, the film still has elements of fun, and a preacher who hoards a massive cache of weapons in his church. So I'm guessing that I should at some point watch the sequel, The Human Tornado (1976).


Directed by: D'Urville Martin
Starring: Rudy Ray Moore, D'Urville Martin, Lady Reed
Country: USA

Rating: **

Marc Ivamy