Judas and the Black Messiah

 Judas and the Black Messiah 2021

• Director: Shaka King
• Based on the book: No
• Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback, Ashton Sanders, Algee Smith, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Lil Rel Howrey, Dominique Thorne, Amari Cheatom, Khris Davis, Ian Duff, Caleb Eberhardt
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Daniel Kaluuya – Widows, Black Panther, Get Out, The Fades, Doctor Who
• Lakeith Stanfield – Knives Out, Get Out, Short Term 12
• Jesse Plemons – Breaking Bad, Paul
• Darrell Britt-Gibson – The Wire
• Lil Rel Howery - Get Out
• Amari Chetom - Django Unchained
• Why? Daniel Kaluuya. The subject.
• Seen: 20 May 2022      

       The Black Panthers. Just think of how much good they did and how much more they could have done if they hadn’t been murdered, imprisoned and raided by the police and the FBI.

       This film tells the story of how small-time crook Bill O’Neal (Stanfield) is coerced into infiltrating the Chicago branch of the Black Panthers to spy on the leader Fred Hampton (Kaluuya). What Bill finds is that even more than military recruiting and training the Panthers provide free breakfast, free education, free health care for impoverished ghetto dwellers and are working to unite the oppressed of all colours in the revolution. But Bill’s white mentor Roy (Plemons) tells him that the Panthers are as bad as the Klan, sowing hatred and violence.

       So, whose side in Bill going to choose?

       This is a true story. And an excellent film. An important film. We all need to remember this. 

4 ½ * of 5.