The Spook Who Sat by the Door

Buy This Item The Spook Who Sat by the Door by Monarch Video  Available from Amazon  $19.95  on 11-24-2008     (To begin, my choice of * * * reflects this particular cut not the film itself But as the film has been long out of print, the fact that its out may very well warrent * * * * * Read on) <br /> <br />In the late 60's/early 70's, the air was ripe with talk of revolution. <br />White people too spoke of it but in a different way. a.k.a. "The blacks are taking over!" <br /> <br />This film is a dramatization of both the dream (or fantasy) and the nightmare And the idea of working within the system just enough to learn the ropes, then using it to your own good (A play on the debate if taking advantage of the system makes one a sell out a.k.a. Uncle Tom.) <br /> <br />Conceptually speaking, that's what makes this film great <br />It is not a typical B-movie "exploitation" film with the revolutionaries being afro-wig wearing stereotypes, and the political content just being backdrop for the car chases its a film with a message To that extent its in a league of its own <br /> <br />In addition, the production values are surprisingly good Though an underground film, the production values hold their ground Its a very well crafted film even to the point of being slick. (The editor later went on to work for Steve Spielberg and is currently one of the top in his field.) <br /> <br />So why do I give the film three stars? I feel it drags at times but there may very well be an excuse Incidental music (which is just as important as the visuals in any good film) is very important. My assumption is that the company that released it couldn't get the rights, so the soundtrack had to be muted. A shame because the original soundtrack was done by HERBIE HANCOCK (!) - - so what happens is you hear it faintly in the backround at one point you even see a band playing and girl dancing, but you barely hear any music The end result the film feels a bit empty and spacey and in parts where the music would have complimented the scenery (and visa versa) it just feels like empty space so the film drags The problem could probably easily be resolved by having one of today's "acid Jazz" bands provide a funky soundtrack in the same same style but you have to be careful like that, because if the soundtrack is done cheaply, it diminishes the quality of the film NO SOUNDTRACK however, makes it feel empty. <br /> <br />That aside, there are a few wonderful suprises, including an interview with the author/director, who is as militant and outspoken as ever. (Reminds me a bit of Melvin Van Peebles.) - - Robert Townsend gives his thoughts on the film And there is plenty of hyping. <br /> <br />In conclusion, the idea of guerillas learning their game from the CIA is very interesting in today's climate because that's exactly what's happening now regarding the war on terrorism There is some irony though when Kennedy was shot Malcolm X got into trouble for saying it was an example of "the chickens coming home to roost" - - On 9/11 the same thought came to my mind Yes, it was a terrible thing, but when you have a foreign policy and shake a bee's nest, you can't blame when the bees come out and sting you to death. You can moralize that the bees were wrong, but that doesn't change the fact that you were stupid for provoking them. In fact, if a nearby person gets stung, its the person who provoked the bees fault, not the bees themselves whether or not their behavior is "right" or "wrong" or whether they were "right" or "wrong" for building the hive - - This film, then can be watched from two perspectives: 1) As a fantasy that was very popular during that era. 2) As a warning of what happens when people feel surpressed and frustrated. Likewise, it is a play on every white bigot's worst nightmare: The help banding together and going far beyond merely steeling the silverware. (There is a very funny scene demonstrating this.) <br /> <br />So * * * * * in concept Let's hope it gets recut, remade or re-released again! Reader Reviews I cannot cheapen the message of this film with a brief review, however, I will say that all members of the Afrikan Diaspora-UNCLE TOMS AND TOMASINAS INCLUDED, should see this film at least once.

The Spook Who Sat by the Door Available from Amazon Price: $19.95 Updated on 11-24-2008.

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