The Spook Who Sat by the Door

Audience Reviews

View More

Kevin L Jun 21 "The Spook Who Sat by the Door" tries hard to be a totally legit drama and not 'merely' a blaxploitation movie about getting revenge; in this case by gaining entry in the CIA and getting proper training as access to power. Yet, despite some fine direction, some stretches of smart writing (esp. the dialogue), and solid acting by the likes of Lawrence Cook, Janet League & Paula Kelly, it doesn't quite reaches the heights it hopes for. Still, pretty good. 2.9 stars See more 09/22/2023 Based on the controversial best-selling book acting as a satire of the 1960s civil rights issue but also focuses on the issue of Black militancy It tells of the first black agent of the CIA Dan Freeman played by Lawrence Cooke The first mistake was letting him in then letting him go For 5 years Dan served and trained and fought yet was secretly infiltrating them Later he turned gangs into guerrilla armies, riots into revolutions, the American dream into a nightmare To him it’s not about hating whites but more of loving freedom enough to die if necessary This is one man’s reaction to white-ruling class hypocrisy The movie has Dan wanting to be free but also setting an example for his community When you’re black you’re caged like an animal, your entire surroundings is like a jungle, it’s important to care about people not property, do we quit until we win or die? A lot of this drags in the first two acts Things don’t start heating up until the middle when all hell breaks loose with the rioting and the police standoffs It does make good points about though who’s the real monsters in a world filled with hate and revenge What is the the solution for freedom fighters that have been oppressed for centuries? Maybe there’s a way to change ideology other than violence This is still probably the most radical blaxploitation film yet it’s important that it provides enough discussion about black militancy and the violent reactions taking place by whites in America in response to the Civil Rights Movement See more 11/23/2020 This one tries hard to be a totally legit drama and not 'merely' a blaxploitation movie about getting revenge, in this case on whitey in power. But, despite some fine direction, some stretches of smart writing (esp. the dialogue), and solid acting by Cool, League & Kelly, it never quite reaches that mark. Still, pretty good. 2.6 stars See more 01/23/2019 Pulled at the time of its release for its incendiary messaging and frank representation of racial politics, the film I fear would fare no better today, its scenes of economic and social strife, bigotry, rioting, and the stereotyping indifference of the ruling class as vital and veristic as when they were filmed. Guerrilla filmmaking about guerrilla revolutionaries, whatever the movie lacks in budget or aesthetic finesse, the screenplay and performances more than make up for with fierce sincerity, articulate passion, and persuasive wit. See more 01/04/2019 Great movie and itï¿ 1/2 1/2(TM)s a gem knowledge is power See more 07/16/2018 One of my favorite films of all time!!! See more Read all reviews

The Spook Who Sat by the Door

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW