Fred "The Hammer" Williamson directed and starred in Mean Johnny Barrows, blaxploitation action thriller in which he is kicked out of the army and ends up homeless and desperate on the streets of L.A. Williamson ends up beaten, exploited and abused by muggers, police and potential employers before his desperation leads him to accept an offer from a kindly Mob boss to take out members of a rival, more evil Mafia family. Many scenes of violence, double crosses and plot twists follow.
So why is Fred Williamson creepily staring through the legs of Fred Williamson in that poster? The world may never know. But if you're looking for a mediocre blaxploitation film to fill 90 minutes of your life, this one may fit the bill.
This is the original 1977 (or 1978, depending on who you talk to) version of Inglorious Bastards. The important thing to know about this movie is that it stars Bo Svenson who played Ivan in the two-part Season Three episode of Magnum P.I called "Did You See the Sunrise" where Thomas Magnum asks Ivan that famous question, "Did you see the sunrise this morning?" and then blows the Soviet colonel's head off with his M1911. It was awesome. Sure, Bo Svenson also played the minister in Kill Bill Vol. 2 but that' doesn't really matter because the important thing is, he was in Magnum P.I.... Fred Williamson is also in this move.
Inglorious Bastards really isn't that similar to the 2009 Tarantino film, Inglourious Basterds . It takes place behind enemy lines in Nazi occupied France but that's pretty much where the similarities end.
A group of ragtag criminals are being transported to a military prison when their truck comes under fire from a German plane. Because of the ensuing ruckus, the prisoners manage to escape and decide to make their way to freedom in Switzerland. During their travels, hi-jinks and death are their companions as they kill Nazis, accidentally kill Americans, befriend a German deserter, get chased by naked gun-wielding Nazi women and finally, in an attempt to earn their freedom, agree to blow up a bridge and steal rocket technology from a German train for the American government. Not all of the Bastards make it.
"I know you Thomas, I had you for three months at Duc Hua."
Inglorious Bastards is a fun film. It has plenty of action, some racist and less than politically correct banter, and a little bit of nudity thrown in for good measure. The Deuce calls it "The Dirty Dozen with nudity and a shot of blaxploitation" and I think that's an apt description. It's definitely worth watching.
Violence Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Booby Rating: 2 out of 5
