Watch Bucktown

Bucktown is a 1975 blaxploitation film that follows Duke Johnson, played by Fred Williamson, who is forced to travel to Bucktown, his brother's hometown, to settle his estate after his sudden death. Johnson soon finds out that corruption and crime reign supreme in the town, and the sheriff, played by Thalmus Rasulala, is at the center of it all. Johnson decides to take matters into his own hands and teams up with a Black stripper named Aretha, played by Pam Grier, to clean up the town.

The film opens with Duke Johnson at work in Los Angeles when he receives a call from a lawyer in Bucktown regarding his brother's sudden death. Johnson immediately travels to Bucktown, hoping to quickly finalize his brother's estate and return to LA. However, he quickly realizes that his brother's death was not an accident and that he was involved in the corruption that plagues Bucktown. Johnson is offered a deal by the sheriff to keep quiet about his brother's involvement, but he refuses and teams up with Aretha to take down the corrupt officials.

As Johnson and Aretha work to take down the corrupted individuals, they meet several other townspeople who have also been affected by corruption, including a store owner, a preacher, and other people living in Bucktown. Johnson's tactics become increasingly violent, and tensions rise with the sheriff and his men. Meanwhile, Johnson's friendship with Aretha deepens, and the two become romantically involved.

Throughout the film, there are several violent confrontations between Johnson and the corrupt officials, including a memorable showdown in a nightclub that involves an all-out brawl. As the tension continues to escalate, Johnson realizes that he cannot do this alone and reaches out to the townspeople he has met. Together, they create a plan to take down the corrupt officials, culminating in a final confrontation between Johnson and the sheriff.

The film's music, composed by Johnny Pate, is a classic example of funky 1970s soul and funk, setting the tone for the film's action. The soundtrack features notable musicians such as Bobby Womack and Lenny Williams, adding to the movie's gritty, streetwise feel.

One of the defining qualities of Bucktown is its celebration of Blackness, achieving a level of political consciousness that was rare for mainstream movies at the time. Directed by Arthur Marks, who had previously produced several notable blaxploitation films such as Friday Foster and Black Caesar, Bucktown is a film that represents its era with remarkable accuracy. The movie's cast, comprised of notable Black actors such as Fred Williamson and Pam Grier, are at the top of their game, creating a dynamic and memorable viewing experience.

In conclusion, Bucktown is a hard-hitting and action-packed film that paves the way for more grounded Blaxploitation movies. The movie's depiction of small-town corruption and the fight against it, coupled with the celebration of Blackness, make it a unique entry in the Blaxploitation genre. The film's performances, music, and direction make it a must-watch for fans of the genre, not to mention a defining classic in the history of cinema.

Bucktown is a 1975 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.