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Genres
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CastRoy JeffersonLe TariHaskell V. Anderson III
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DirectorBill Berry
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Release Date1976
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MPAA RatingR
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Runtime1 hr 18 min
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LanguageEnglish
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IMDB Rating5.3 (534)
Brotherhood of Death is a 1976 action-drama film directed by filmmaker Bill Berry. With its release during a time of civil unrest and racial tension in America, the film was relevant and timely. It tells a story of three young African-American men who go to Vietnam as soldiers and upon their return, they form a vigilante group to fight against white supremacists who threaten their small town.
One of the main characters of the film is Zachary Davis, whoâs portrayed by Roy Jefferson. Zachary is a veteran who has returned home from the war and finds that his friends and other African Americans in his hometown are being targeted and abused by a group of white supremacists. Fed up with the situation, he, along with two other veterans Robert (Le Tari) and J.T. (Haskell V. Anderson III), form the Brotherhood of Death. They initially take action against the white supremacists by harassing and confronting them but soon find that more drastic measures are necessary to make them stop.
As the Brotherhood of Death becomes more aggressive in their tactics, they come under scrutiny from both the police and the white supremacist group they are fighting against. The situation escalates as tensions rise between the two groups, and violence ultimately erupts.
As an action-drama film, Brotherhood of Death features several tense and exciting action sequences. Director Berry, a former stuntman, brings a gritty and realistic feel to the combat scenes. There are several scenes of gunfights, fistfights, and car chases, which give audiences a glimpse of the dangerous world that the characters inhabit.
At its core, Brotherhood of Death is a film about social justice and the pursuit of equality. The film explores themes of racism, prejudice, and violence, which were all significant issues at the time of its release. The film was made during a time when many African-American communities were fighting for their rights and against discrimination.
The filmâs soundtrack is an integral part of the experience. The film features several songs performed by the soul band The Impressions, which add to the filmâs emotional resonance. The film's title track âBrotherhood of Deathâ by Curtis Mayfield is a standout song that has a catchy hook and poignant lyrics that further illustrate the film's themes.
The movie was not without its controversies. The depictions of violence and vigilante justice were controversial, and some people criticized the filmâs approach to these issues. The film's trailer promised an action-packed film, which drew criticism from some quarters, who felt it was insensitive to the issues of racism and social injustice being explored in the film.
Overall, Brotherhood of Death is a compelling and gritty action-drama film that tackles important themes of social justice and equality. The film is propelled by a strong performance from its lead actors, particularly Roy Jefferson, who brings a weight of experience and gravitas to the role of Zachary Davis. The filmâs action sequences are well-choreographed and bring a sense of excitement and danger to the story. Ultimately, Brotherhood of Death is a film that was made during a turbulent time in American history and serves as a powerful reminder of the struggle for social justice and equality that continues to this day.
In conclusion, Brotherhood of Death is an exciting and engaging film that is worth watching for those interested in gritty action-drama films with a social justice theme. The film explores important themes relevant to African-American history and culture, and the story and characters have resonated with audiences since its release. Overall, Brotherhood of Death is a must-watch for those looking for an action-packed and thought-provoking film.
Brotherhood of Death is a 1976 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.