In fact, it takes itself pretty seriously throughout. It may be pretty unknown, because it's not as flashy and flamboyant as most other Blaxploitation movies of the period. A nostalgic gem!ĭespite being picked up by a major Hollywood studio, "Together Brothers" is one of the most obscure entries in the Blaxploitation genre that was so popular in the early 1970s. Having non actors play the parts made it all seem more realistic. My husband even walked by and made a comment to that effect. As another poster pointed out, they did remind me of the Cosby Kids on the Fat Albert cartoon. After watching it well into adulthood, the actors appear as they are.just young kids. Of course the actors seemed so "grown" to me, when I watched this as a child.
#URBAN STRIFE GENRE MOVIE#
While the movie is obviously dated, in the terms of the setting, clothes, etc., it seemed very modern at the same time: The type of jokes, exploring transexuality, and that sort of thing. I recalled a bunch of scenes, as they came up, while others were completely faded from my memory, but still. The movie is still amazing and must have had a profound effect on me.
A few weeks ago, I noticed that it would be playing on the IFC, so I set the DVR, and watched at the same time it was recording, and once after wards (I was working late that week and had a few hours to myself in the mornings). I remember telling all my friends about the movie, "Together Brothers" the next day. "Together Brothers" along with "Bingo Long and the Traveling All Stars" was playing. My parents put my brother and me in the car. I hope "Together Brothers" isn't labeled "blaxploitation," because it certainly is not that. This film is surely one of the best movies of the 70's, and it amazes me how unknown it is. The actors were amazing, especially Ahmad Nurradin in the role of H.J, who gives a performance that is sincere and unforgettable. When the kids see one of their own murdered in cold blood, they want to do something. It's a town where everyone knows and looks out for each other. Galveston Texas looks sort of like a shanty town here, with people living in gutted buildings and shacks, and instead of polished looking actors, real townspeople were used to create this amazing film. And it's not a movie set either it's all real. The film then takes the viewer on a journey through the dark underbelly of one of the poorest, saddest ghetto wastelands EVER captured on film. Four teenagers decide they are going to find the guy who murdered the town police officer, who was so good and respectful to the kids, that they named him Mr. "Together Brothers" is an astoundingly realistic and gritty look at urban strife, devastating poverty, and finally, loyalty among friends. So many Hollywood movies attempt the gritty realism of THIS film, and almost never come close. A Seventies gem that I hope will someday be made available on DVD, if it's not too late. Comprised of a cast of unknown non-actors, TOGETHER BROTHERS has very much a documentary feel to it, highlighted by actor Lincoln Kilpatrick, in one of the bravest performances he had ever given in his career (offsetting the OTT ham-and-cheesiness of his role opposite Anthony Zerbe in THE OMEGA MAN.) Adding to the atmosphere is the only score ever composed for a film by Barry White, which may seem overwrought and "blaxploitation-ish" out of context, but underscores the movie's dark visuals with stunning effectiveness. Traumatized by the incident, the boy is mute for nearly the entire movie, adding to the suspense as the killer stalks him, and closes in to silence him for good, if possible. The plot is simple: when the uniformed officer who mentors a group of urban teens is found brutally murdered, the "brothers" band together to find the killer (hence the title.) The plot twist: the younger brother of one of the group saw the murder, and was almost dispatched by the killer himself. A gritty, sympathetic but unsentimental portrayal of ghetto life, this film was very much a product of its time, and though some of its attributes would be considered blatantly non-PC today, it's still worth a look if you can find it.
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