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12 out of 13 people found the following comment useful :-
Max Julien gives a brilliant performance as "The Mack". Definitely makes my blaxploitation Top Five!, 2 February 2004
Author: Infofreak from Perth, Australia

'The Mack' is one of the very best blaxploitation movies of the 1970s, and one that has had an enormous influence on both hip hop culture and Quentin Tarantino. Max Julien gives a brilliant performance as Goldie an ex-con who decides that pimping is his best hope for survival and success. Julien had played one of the members of Jack Nicholson's psychedelic combo Mumblin' Jim in Richard Rush's 60s classic 'Psych-Out'. 'The Mack' should have put him up with Fred Williamson and Richard Roundtree as a major black star, but for some reason his career never took off, despite his obvious charisma and co-writing and co-producing the hugely successful 'Cleopatra Jones'. So much so that when Tarantino wanted him to audition for the part of Marcellus Wallace in 'Pulp Fiction' he was unable to even track him down. Too bad as Julien would have been a terrific Wallace and it might have kick started his career. Apart from Julien the movie features Richard Pryor as his crazed best friend Slim, Roger Mosley (who played Leadbelly in Gordon "Shaft" Parks little seen biopic) is Goldie's politically active younger brother Olinga, and Carol Speed ('Abby') plays Lulu, the prostitute who gets him started in the game. But my favourite supporting role is the one by Don Gordon who plays Hank, an evil corrupt cop. Gordon later went on to play another nasty piece of work in Dennis Hopper's 'Out Of The Blue'. He's just terrific in both movies and rarely gets the attention he deserves. 'The Mack' definitely makes my blaxploitation Top Five, along with (no order) 'Superfly', 'Shaft', 'Black Caesar' and 'Coffy'. (Sorry I don't count 'Across 110th Street' as blaxploitation, otherwise I'd list it).

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8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
Pimpin Ain't Easy, Oak Town Style, 22 March 2001
Author: ahertz-2 from Waterbury, CT

If you want to get an insider's glimpse into the world of pimpin', look no further than "The Mack." Often compared to the other, better known black movies of the 1970's, which tend to focus more on drugs and street justice, "The Mack" incorporates both of those elements, but with a heavy focus on pimpin'. It gives outsiders a glimpse into the life of a pimp through the eyes of 1973's official Pimp of the Year, Goldie ("The Mack" shows that this dubious title is actually given out in an annual event, one similar to the Oscars). Goldie's strengths are his strong pimp hand, which he uses early and often, and the fact that he always gets his percentage on time (as in "woman better have my percentage"). Although his brother (fyi: one of magnum p.i.'s sidekicks)dedicates his life warning people about pimps and drug pushers, Goldie continues his lavish lifestyle, going so far as to bring his women to the annual Pimp Softball and Barbeque Outing (for a pimp, Goldie sure knows how to swing the lumber). But, with a tragic ending, Goldie must examine his life and is forced to make a huge decision.

If you are looking for great acting, a movie where you can hear what the people are saying (everyone speaks really softly), or good music, look elsewhere. Also, although Richard Pryor gets second billing in this movie, he is seen in the movie less than a pimp in daylight.

On the other hand, I think the strengths of this movie are the costumes and the "pimp insight" one can gain. If you want a crash course on what it takes to be a respected pimp (fine clothes, ability to wear sunglasses during all hours, have an unruly afro, kill people using dynamite, play a lot of craps and three card monty), then look no further than "The Mack". However, if that is not your intended goal, look further, look much much further.

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6 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
"The Mack", 10 September 2004

Author: dee.reid from United States

Blaxploitation has never had a good working relationship inside mainstream cinema because it sometimes required the audience to relate with people who were pimps, pushers, hookers, and any other rabble of common street criminals. But people loved movies like "Reservoir Dogs" and "Trainspotting"; yet "Dogs" had murderous jewel thieves in the leads and "Trainspotting" was about heroin addicts in Edinburgh. So then, "The Mack" can't be any different from those two, can it?

I missed Blaxploitation when it arose during the 60s and 70s because I wasn't alive; I was born in 1985. I stumbled across "The Mack" at a local used book store that also sold videos. Sitting on a rack, was "The Mack."

After doing five rough years in prison, Goldie (Max Julien) decides to become a pimp in order to make a living, much to the dismay of his younger brother Olinga (Roger E. Mosley), who has become radicalized within the pro-Black civil rights movement during the time that Goldie has spent behind bars. Goldie then has to contend with a pair of racist, corrupt cops who hound him constantly and rival pimps.

"The Mack" is a movie that has become an enormous influence on modern hip-hop culture and is frequently referenced to in the films of Quentin Tarantino. Max Julien makes for a truly convincing "Mack" and there's even a rather subdued, yet incredibly funny supporting performance from Richard Pryor.

This movie really does capture the essence of a chaotic time period perfectly. Vietnam was going on in 1973 and some people felt that life in America was in shambles, with drugs and crime running rampant in this country. So I guess that's why people praised movies like "Death Wish," "Dirty Harry," "A Clockwork Orange," and basically any Sam Peckinpah movie that came out during the 70s.

Along with maybe "Shaft" and "Foxy Brown," "The Mack" could probably be one of the better known Blaxploitation flicks released during the 70s. I loved this movie from beginning to end. But it's a shame that "The Mack" is not more well-known in the movie-going community.

10/10

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6 out of 10 people found the following comment useful :-
The movie that is the basis for all parodies, 25 March 2000
Author: icis

When you see "I'm Gonna Git You Sucker" and others of the like, you won't find it nearly as funny until you see this. From the Player's ball to the outrageous kills to make it to the top, you can't help but laugh.

Even the plot review on the box totally misleads you into thinking this is about a man trying to clean up his neighborhood. It isn't, but you won't care.

For fun, try a drinking game. Drink every time someone says "man". I assure you will be drunk in the first 10 minutes or else you wish you were.

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1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
The Mack smooth movie, 17 October 2008

Author: tedthumb from United States

Robert J. Poole deserves credit for writing clever and gritty lines. This movie was urban before people even referred to movies as urban. Pretty Tony: "You know the name of the game , your bitch chose me." Loved that exchange!!!!! The Mack showed that urban movies way back then had a broader appeal than thought by Hollywood. The whole subculture of pimping has been covered in books and movie. The Mack was far a head of it's time and place. I never understood why people would get offended over The Mack. Writer Robert J. Poole did not invent pimping. It's been there, Prostitution is the oldest profession. The Mack has intelligent writing.

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2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
an Oaktown classic, 10 November 1999
Author: QKnown from CALIfornia

Goldie (Max Julien) is a smooth talking ex-con man out to get his game on by becoming one of the most respected playas in the land!

Doing this to get back at the law that locked him up in the first place. I would'nt call this a revenge flick, instead it turns out as a well-acted,actually ambitious, and truthful look of the rise and fall of the mack. One of the top classics of the genre.

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3 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
Can you buy that?, 5 October 2002

Author: forklift-ny from Brooklyn NY

Great movie, with gritty realism. Not blaxploitation in the vein of "Blacula", "Truck Turner" or "Black Frankenstein".

Recently got the DVD, cleaned up nicely. Contains the documentary "Mackin' Ain't Easy", which tells the story of the macking, er, making of "The Mack", with the Hill Brothers, from Oakland's underworld, helping to make the movie, while Huey Newton & the Black Panthers trying to stop it.

Again, this is a great movie, and a fine addition to any DVD collection.

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8 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
They wanted the honey-all we want is the money!, 7 November 2001

Author: zong from iowa

This is one of the greatest movies you will ever get the chance to see. Goldie is now my idol, and he is a fine role model for young Americans. Just look at how he brainwashed those hos via footage of outer space and sonic music. What a player! Ever since I saw this movie, I've decided to wear a hat with every outfit I put on. If you're not entertained by the plethora of smooth one-liners, or Goldie's five-foot cane, then you must surely enjoy scene after scene of disrespect to the Oak-town Hos-my favorite is when "Pretty Tony" promptly beats down one of his hos with his own hat after she presents him with an amount of cash that is apparently not acceptable for a four-hour shift on the street corner...what a slacker. I give The Mack 4 pimpslaps. And to leave you with words of wisdom from our hero, Goldie: "Get out there and get me my money. I don't care how long it takes, just get it

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Street life, 26 October 2008

Author: kurciasbezdalas from Lithuania

This movie is a classic of blaxploitation movies. It's also a must see for crime movies fans because it's theme is not so frequent in a crime movies and I can't understand why because pimping is one of the most popular criminal activities. I've seen some other films about pimps but there a pimping wasn't a main theme. This movie is all about a pimping. There are many interesting dialogs and monologues and also a discussions about pimping. Max Julien did great as a Goldie. I also liked Richard Pryor's performance but he didn't get much of a show. So if you are crime movies fan you must see this film because it's one of a few which talks about pimping so openly.

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1 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
Pimp Wars: Episode 1, 20 July 2008

Author: planktonrules from Bradenton, Florida

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

THE MACK is a film about a true anti-hero, as a "mack" is a pimp. When Goldie gets out of prison, he's determined to be the #1 pimp--no matter what gets in his way. His brother, however, is full of Black pride and urges Goldie to do something positive with his life. Unfortunately, Goldie is more than willing to make it big off his own people--and, while the film presents both messages, the overwhelming message through the first 90% of the movie seems to be that Goldie's way is the right way! Over the course of the film, it was very interesting to see the evolution of Goldie. At first, he seemed like a nice guy--sort of a "pimp with a heart of gold"--a social worker pimp, of sorts! However, over time, he becomes harder and badder and colder--so that you really can't like him or justify his life.

At the same time, two crooked and racist White cops are shown throughout the film. Their job, it seems, is to make life tough for Goldie and prove to the audience that White cops are devils--and they do a good job of this! They are the stereotypical blaxploitation cops--even going so far as killing the only good cop (a Black one, naturally) in the film.

Eventually, Goldie becomes so big, so violent and creates so many enemies you aren't sure which one will eventually kill him--the Fat Man, the two psycho cops or one of the other pimps. This leads to some amazing action--though you are left rather cold because every single one of them are dirt and it's hard to care at all about them. Heck, I just wanted to see them all die!

The bottom line is that for the genre, this is a pretty good film but has rather horrible values. Unlike more positive films like HAMMER, COFFY and FOXY BROWN, this one tends to glorify, to a degree, a societal leech. If you like this style film and want to root for a low-life, also try SUPER FLY.

FYI--Years ago, when I watched I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA, I laughed at Fly Guy and the section on the "Pimp of the Year" competition--not realizing that character was taken straight from THE MACK.

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