| The Mack | |
|---|---|
 1977 theatrical re-release poster | |
| Directed by | Michael Campus |
| Written by | Robert J. Poole |
| Produced by | Harvey Bernhard |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Willie Hutch |
Production company | Harbor Productions |
| Distributed by | Cinerama Releasing Corporation |
Release date |
|
Running time | 110 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $250,000[1] |
| Box office | $3 million (rentals)[2] or $4.3 million[3] or $9,590,000 |
The Mack is a 1973 American blaxploitation crime drama film directed by California native Michael Campus and starring Max Julien and Richard Pryor.[4][5] The film also stars Oscar-nominee Juanita Moore and Tony-nominated actor Dick Anthony Williams. Filmed in Oakland, California, the movie follows the rise and fall of Goldie, who returns from a five-year prison sentence to find that his brother is involved in Black nationalism. Goldie decides to take an alternative path, striving to become the city's biggest pimp.
Although reviews were less than favorable when initially released, The Mack is considered by many critics to be the best entry in its genre.[6] The film is often categorized as blaxploitation, but Michael Campus,[7] Max Julien[8] and others involved in its production have argued that the genre label oversimplifies the film.
The film's soundtrack was recorded by Motown artist Willie Hutch.
- ^ Vincent L. Barnett (2020) Super Fly (1972), Coffy (1973) and The Mack (1973): Under- and Over-Estimating Blaxploitation Box Office, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, 40:2, 373-388, DOI: 10.1080/01439685.2019.1697036
- ^ "Big Rental Films of 1973", Variety, 9 January 1974, p. 19.
- ^ Donahue, Suzanne Mary (1987). American film distribution : the changing marketplace. UMI Research Press. p. 293. ISBN 978-0-8357-1776-2. Please note figures are for rentals in US and Canada
- ^ "'The Mack' is back after 40 years". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ Dutka, Elaine (1997-06-30). "ReDiggin' the Scene". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
- ^ McLevy, Alex (June 23, 2018). "The Mack remains one of blaxploitation's most artistically ambitious films". The A.V. Club. Onion, Inc. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ^ Walker, David; Rausch, Andrew J.; Watson, Chris (2009). Reflections on Blaxploitation: Actors and Directors Speak. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810867062.
- ^ Nix, Laura (Director) (2002). Mackin' Ain't Easy (Motion picture).