The Spook Who Sat By the Door
by Ivan Dixon
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DVD details
Actor: J.A. Preston, Janet League, Lawrence Cook, Paul Butler, Paula KellyDirector: Ivan Dixon
Brand: Monarch
Cinematographer: Michel Hugo
Producer: Ivan Dixon
Editor: Michael Kahn
Producer: Sam Greenlee
Writer: Sam Greenlee
Producer: Thomas G. Neusom
Writer: Melvin Clay
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 102 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-01-27
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Monarch Video
DVD Reviews of The Spook Who Sat By the Door
DVD Review: * * * * * on concept... get the novel !
Summary: 3 Stars
(To begin, my choice of * * * reflects this particular cut... not the film itself... But as the film has been long out of print, the fact that its out may very well warrent * * * * *... Read on...)
In the late 60's/early 70's, the air was ripe with talk of revolution.
White people too spoke of it... but in a different way. a.k.a. "The blacks are taking over!"
This film is a dramatization of both the dream (or fantasy) and the nightmare... And the idea of working within the system just enough to learn the ropes, then using it to your own good... (A play on the debate if taking advantage of the system makes one a sell out... a.k.a. Uncle Tom.)
Conceptually speaking, that's what makes this film great...
It is not a typical B-movie "exploitation" film with the revolutionaries being afro-wig wearing stereotypes, and the political content just being backdrop for the car chases... its a film with a message... To that extent its in a league of its own...
In addition, the production values are surprisingly good... Though an underground film, the production values hold their ground... Its a very well crafted film... even to the point of being slick. (The editor later went on to work for Steve Spielberg and is currently one of the top in his field.)
So why do I give the film three stars...? I feel it drags at times... but there may very well be an excuse... Incidental music (which is just as important as the visuals in any good film) is very important. My assumption is that the company that released it couldn't get the rights, so the soundtrack had to be muted. A shame because the original soundtrack was done by HERBIE HANCOCK (!) - - so what happens is you hear it faintly in the backround... at one point you even see a band playing and girl dancing, but you barely hear any music... The end result... the film feels a bit empty and spacey... and in parts where the music would have complimented the scenery (and visa versa) it just feels like empty space... so the film drags... The problem could probably easily be resolved by having one of today's "acid Jazz" bands provide a funky soundtrack in the same same style... but you have to be careful like that, because if the soundtrack is done cheaply, it diminishes the quality of the film... NO SOUNDTRACK however, makes it feel empty.
That aside, there are a few wonderful suprises, including an interview with the author/director, who is as militant and outspoken as ever. (Reminds me a bit of Melvin Van Peebles.) - - Robert Townsend gives his thoughts on the film... And there is plenty of hyping.
In conclusion, the idea of guerillas learning their game from the CIA is very interesting in today's climate... because that's exactly what's happening now regarding the war on terrorism... There is some irony though... when Kennedy was shot Malcolm X got into trouble for saying it was an example of "the chickens coming home to roost" - - On 9/11 the same thought came to my mind... Yes, it was a terrible thing, but when you have a foreign policy and shake a bee's nest, you can't blame when the bees come out and sting you to death. You can moralize that the bees were wrong, but that doesn't change the fact that you were stupid for provoking them. In fact, if a nearby person gets stung, its the person who provoked the bees fault, not the bees themselves whether or not their behavior is "right" or "wrong" or whether they were "right" or "wrong" for building the hive... - - This film, then can be watched from two perspectives: 1) As a fantasy that was very popular during that era. 2) As a warning of what happens when people feel surpressed and frustrated. Likewise, it is a play on every white bigot's worst nightmare: The help banding together and going far beyond merely steeling the silverware. (There is a very funny scene demonstrating this.)
So * * * * * in concept... Let's hope it gets recut, remade or re-released again!
Description of The Spook Who Sat By the Door
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