Panther (1995/I)

Director:

Mario Van Peebles

Writers (WGA):

Melvin Van Peebles (novel)
Melvin Van Peebles (screenplay)

Release Date:

3 May 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The People Called Them Heroes. The F.B.I. Called Them Public Enemy Number One.

Plot:

A dramatized account of the story of The Black Panther Party of Self-Defense.

Plot Keywords:

One Word Title | Traffic Accident | Police Brutality | Drugs | Violence

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Kadeem Hardison	...	Judge
Bokeem Woodbine	...	Tyrone
Joe Don Baker	...	Brimmer
Courtney B. Vance	...	Bobby Seale
Tyrin Turner	...	Cy
Marcus Chong	...	Huey Newton
Anthony Griffith	...	Eldridge Cleaver
Bobby Brown	...	Rose
Angela Bassett	...	Dr. Betty Shabazz
Nefertiti	...	Alma
James Russo	...	Rodgers
Jenifer Lewis	...	Rita
Chris Rock	...	Yuck Mouth
Roger Guenveur Smith	...	Pruitt
Michael Wincott	...	Tynan

MPAA:

Rated R for strong violence and language.

Runtime:

Germany:123 min | UK:124 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:MA | Finland:K-15 | Germany:16 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Berkeley, California, USA

Company:

Gramercy Pictures (I)

Trivia:

Angela Bassett also played Betty Shabazz in Malcolm X (1992).

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: At the school, when they are rallying for more members.

Quotes:

Black cop: You know you can't help but admire those young Brothers, they do alot of good in their communities.
Pruitt: You ever hear about the common good, the United States of America is more than a simple collection of ghettoes, this country was built on Capitalism and Democracy, and in a Democracy, the Majority rules, we are a Minority unless we integrate, fully!
Black cop: Whose side are you on? Brother
Pruitt: No! Whose side are you on? Officer

Movie Connections:

References Malcolm X (1992)

Soundtrack:

I Got You (I Feel Good)

Mario Van Peebles, director and writer.

Panther (1995) is not to meant to be a dead on account of the Black Panther Party. This is what they call historical fiction. That is when you make up a story involving real life characters. The book this movie was based upon was writing a few years back by Melvin Van Peebles. The story is nothing more that a fictional account dealing with real life people.

It's a movie. Not a documentary. So please keep this in mind when watching it. But the dramatic elements and acting were quite good. I enjoyed it as a drama. If you want to learn about the Black Panther Party this is a good launching pad. From here I suggest you go to your local library and study up on these revolutionaries who tried to make some decent changes to the poor communities but were sabotaged by the F.B.I. and their army of rats and snitches.

I thought it was a bold step for Mr. Van Peebles to try and make a mainstream movie about a group of local heroes who have been buried by the mainstream and the far right. Stars Kadeem Hardison, Bokeem Woodbine, Joe Don Baker, Courtney B. Vance, Chris Rock, Bobby Brown and Angela Bassett. Directed by Mario Van Peebles. Co written by Mario and Melvin Van Peebles.

Recommended.