Black Mama White Mama is a classic 1970s blaxploitation starring Pam Grier and while this isn’t her best role of the era, it’s still a solid entry. It’s a fun little movie that’s ever the more enjoyable for just how it looks and feels like the ‘70s.
Black Mama White Mama
(1973)
Genre(s): Crime, Drama, Thriller
Arrow Video | R – 87 min. – $29.95 | March 22, 2016
Date Published: 04/25/2016 | Author: The Movieman
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PLOT SUMMARY |
| Lee (PAM GRIER), a tough prostitute and Karen (MARGARET MARKOV), a revolutionary, are admitted to a harsh women’s prison where almost immediately (after some playful showering) they clash. Packed off to a maximum prison, their transport is ambushed by Karen’s guerilla friends and the two escape into the Filipino jungle. Chained together and with differing escape plans, their clash intensifies as Lee wants to retrieve a stash of stolen cash to get off the island and Karen wants to re-join her revolutionary group. Escape isn’t easy as they come up against a series of obstacles including a corrupt cop, a bounty hunter, a sadistic Drug Lord and guerrillas who threaten to turn everything upside down. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 2.25/5 |
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This release comes with an 18-page booklet containing essays, written interviews and photos. There is also a reversible cover artwork. Audio Commentary – Filmmaker and Filipino film historian Andrew Leavold methodically breaks down the movie providing personal insights into the industry and making movies in the Philippines. White Mama Unchained (14:01; HD) is a new interview with actress Margaret Markov as she discusses her film career. Sid Haig’s Filipino Adventures (15:51; HD) – Haig talks about the films he made in the Philippines. The Mad Director of Blood Island (14:38; HD) is an archival interview, this time with Eddie Romero discussing his career with filmmaker Andrew Leavold. Also included is the Trailer (1:54; HD) and Gallery of poster artwork and on-location stills. |
VIDEO – 4.25/5 |
| Black Mama White Mama arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video presented with a 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer (MPEG-4 AVC codec) made from a new 35mm Interpositive. It’s a nice looking picture with fairly bright colors and while there were some specs here and there, it’s nothing overabundant or distracting and there is some natural film grain throughout. |
AUDIO – 4.5/5 |
| The disc comes with a PCM 1.0 track which, albeit limited, sounds good offering crisp and clear dialogue levels throughout and when the action does pick up, there is actually decent enough depth. Considering what it is, not to mention the age of and production budget, it’s not a terrible sounding lossless track. |
OVERALL – 3.5/5 |
| Overall, Black Mama White Mama is a classic 1970s blaxploitation starring Pam Grier and while this isn’t her best role of the era, it’s still a solid entry. It’s a fun little movie that’s ever the more enjoyable for just how it looks and feels like the ‘70s. The Blu-ray released through Arrow Video is another home run for the distributor with some decent bonus material, a nice 18-page booklet and respectable video/audio transfers. |
Check out some more screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.