I was a young man of 30 years when I went to see this film. At the time I thought that the acting was fine and the theme of the movie was brave. The choice of actors were superb. The nakedness of emotion and tenderness of soul pervades this film on a gut level that speaks to the maverick sense that inhabits us all. Over the years hence because of the ways of the world it has stuck in my mind and gained strength. Even though it is a remake of the 1935 film, "The Informer" with Victor McLaglen, I think that political science majors may get more out of this movie than the regular movie buff. I have two copies of the musical sound track by Booker T & the MGs and I have found it to be a powerhouse in rendering this film.

One thing about me and my love of movies is that I very rarely prefer remakes. However, this movie is an exception--a film far superior than the original. Now that might surprise you, as Victor McLaglen received the Oscar for Best Actor AND the great John Ford the Oscar for Best Director. Yet, I STILL liked the remake better. Much of it is that "The Informer" has not aged well and is dated. In particular, McLaglen's performance seems over-the-top--very, very unsubtle indeed. Also, while it's hard to imagine someone making a film better than John Ford, it's not as surprising when you learn that it's Jules Dassin--one of the best film directors of the 20th century but whose career was severely affected by the Red Scare--when he was forced to move to Europe and managed to STILL keep making great films.

Dassin decided to remake the story and set it in black America--in 1968. The film was VERY timely, and is set just after the murder of Martin Luther King--a time when black men and women were understandably talking about revolution. While the term 'Black Panthers' was never used in the film, clearly the film is intended to be about them...and their weakest link, a sad and worthless individual named Tank. Also, since time had past since Dassin's exodus from Hollywood, he was now able to return to the States to make a film and this one was made in Cleveland. This locale was great--adding to the realism. In addition, while most of the actors are unknowns (apart from folks like Roscoe Lee Browne and Ruby Dee), they did a great job--and Dassin got the most from them. Overall, a very hard-hitting and enjoyable film--and a nice update to the original.