The Mack

Plot synopsis:
After returning home from a five-year prison sentence, John "Goldie" Mickens, (Max Julien) has a plan to achieve money and power in Oakland, California by becoming a pimp. Goldie’s criminal ways juxtapose his brother Olinga’s (Roger E. Mosley) Black Nationalist efforts to save the community from drugs and violence. With Slim (Richard Pryor) as his partner and Lulu (Carol Speed) as his head prostitute, he organizes a team of women and quickly rises to prominence. His success catches the attention of Fat Man (George Murdock), the heroin kingpin that Goldie worked for before heading to prison, and Hank (Don Gordon) and Jed (William Watson), two corrupt and racist white detectives. Goldie refuses to work for Fat Man again, and dismisses the detectives requests to stop his brother from ridding the streets of drugs. As a result, his mother is assaulted which eventually leads to her death. Even though Olinga is disappointed in Goldie because he “brought death to their house,” he agrees to help him get revenge. They develop a plan with Slim to seek revenge, but their plans fall apart when Hank and Jed kill Slim at their rendezvous point. They reveal that they are responsible for Goldie’s mother’s death, causing Goldie and Olinga to kill them both. Realizing that Oakland is now too dangerous, Goldie hugs his brother goodbye and leaves the city on a charter bus.

Tags: violence, blaxploitation, cult, revenge, sadist

Review:
Max Julien gives a brilliant performance as "The Mack".
'The Mack' is one of the very best blaxploitation movies of the 1970s, and one that has had an enormous influence on both hip hop culture and Quentin Tarantino.
Max Julien gives a brilliant performance as Goldie an ex-con who decides that pimping is his best hope for survival and success.
'The Mack' should have put him up with Fred Williamson and Richard Roundtree as a major black star, but for some reason his career never took off, despite his obvious charisma and co-writing and co-producing the hugely successful 'Cleopatra Jones'.
Apart from Julien the movie features Richard Pryor as his crazed best friend Slim, Roger Mosley (who played Leadbelly in Gordon "Shaft" Parks little seen biopic) is Goldie's politically active younger brother Olinga, and Carol Speed ('Abby') plays Lulu, the prostitute who gets him started in the game.
'The Mack' definitely makes my blaxploitation Top Five, along with (no order) 'Superfly', 'Shaft', 'Black Caesar' and 'Coffy'.
If you want to get an insider's glimpse into the world of pimpin', look no further than "The Mack." Often compared to the other, better known black movies of the 1970's, which tend to focus more on drugs and street justice, "The Mack" incorporates both of those elements, but with a heavy focus on pimpin'.
It gives outsiders a glimpse into the life of a pimp through the eyes of 1973's official Pimp of the Year, Goldie ("The Mack" shows that this dubious title is actually given out in an annual event, one similar to the Oscars).
Goldie's strengths are his strong pimp hand, which he uses early and often, and the fact that he always gets his percentage on time (as in "woman better have my percentage").
Although his brother (fyi: one of magnum p.i.'s sidekicks)dedicates his life warning people about pimps and drug pushers, Goldie continues his lavish lifestyle, going so far as to bring his women to the annual Pimp Softball and Barbeque Outing (for a pimp, Goldie sure knows how to swing the lumber).
But, with a tragic ending, Goldie must examine his life and is forced to make a huge decision.If you are looking for great acting, a movie where you can hear what the people are saying (everyone speaks really softly), or good music, look elsewhere.
If you want a crash course on what it takes to be a respected pimp (fine clothes, ability to wear sunglasses during all hours, have an unruly afro, kill people using dynamite, play a lot of craps and three card monty), then look no further than "The Mack".
The Mack smooth movie.
The Mack showed that urban movies way back then had a broader appeal than thought by Hollywood.
Blaxploitation has never had a good working relationship inside mainstream cinema because it sometimes required the audience to relate with people who were pimps, pushers, hookers, and any other rabble of common street criminals.
But people loved movies like "Reservoir Dogs" and "Trainspotting"; yet "Dogs" had murderous jewel thieves in the leads and "Trainspotting" was about heroin addicts in Edinburgh.
Sitting on a rack, was "The Mack."After doing five rough years in prison, Goldie (Max Julien) decides to become a pimp in order to make a living, much to the dismay of his younger brother Olinga (Roger E.
Mosley), who has become radicalized within the pro-Black civil rights movement during the time that Goldie has spent behind bars.
Goldie then has to contend with a pair of racist, corrupt cops who hound him constantly and rival pimps."The Mack" is a movie that has become an enormous influence on modern hip-hop culture and is frequently referenced to in the films of Quentin Tarantino.
Max Julien makes for a truly convincing "Mack" and there's even a rather subdued, yet incredibly funny supporting performance from Richard Pryor.This movie really does capture the essence of a chaotic time period perfectly.
So I guess that's why people praised movies like "Death Wish," "Dirty Harry," "A Clockwork Orange," and basically any Sam Peckinpah movie that came out during the 70s.Along with maybe "Shaft" and "Foxy Brown," "The Mack" could probably be one of the better known Blaxploitation flicks released during the 70s.
But it's a shame that "The Mack" is not more well-known in the movie-going community.10/10.
The Mack is not simply a 'blaxploitation' movie.
It depicts a time and place honestly, even as it is still making drama out of this world of pimps and hookers and cops and violence and money.
Max Julien may break out into a grin or smile once too much, but he can, and does, carry this movie really well.
You don't doubt for a second that he can become this Mega-Pimp.The scummy police men are played so slimy they transcend typical trash and become epically trash-tastic (the worst white cops maybe in any 70's movie?), and Richard Pryor as the not-really-comic sidekick helps a good deal too.Great music, real dramatic conflict, and DAMN do some people get f****d up here!
Most weird but enjoyable scene for me (and maybe the closest it gets to being so OUT-there exploitation-y) is when Goldie is giving his "orientation" bit to the hookers in the planetarium.
If you're not entertained by the plethora of smooth one-liners, or Goldie's five-foot cane, then you must surely enjoy scene after scene of disrespect to the Oak-town Hos-my favorite is when "Pretty Tony" promptly beats down one of his hos with his own hat after she presents him with an amount of cash that is apparently not acceptable for a four-hour shift on the street corner...what a slacker.
Considered to be one of the classic "Blaxploitation" films, this movie has amassed a huge cult following and has been immortalized by countless rap artists (Too Short and Ghost Face Killah o name a few)and has even been referenced in other movies ("True Romance").
I've often heard fans of this film refer to it's portrayal of the pimp trade as authentic(as I understand it, the cast includes real pimps as well as real life Oakland gangsters), but authenticity doesn't always make for a good movie.
In this, one of the most popular of blaxploitation films, the charismatic Max Julien shines as Goldie, a man fresh from a stretch in prison who quickly rises to the role of top pimp in the city of Oakland.
Adding complication to his life are the activities of a pair of crooked racist white detectives (Don Gordon, William Watson) and the requests of top mobster The Fatman (George Murdock) for Goldie to return to the small time.
Richard Pryor's performance, decidedly more dramatic than comedic, is solid, and he proves to be a good sidekick.
Goldie (Max Julien) has just left prison after serving 5 years in state penitentiary.
All this success garners unwanted interest of the local drug distributors, rival pimps and corrupt cops wanting some greasing.
Mosley), who is a black activist trying to clean up the streets from drugs, prostitutes and crime.The influence this movie had on hip hop and pimpdom is quite obvious.
Contains the documentary "Mackin' Ain't Easy", which tells the story of the macking, er, making of "The Mack", with the Hill Brothers, from Oakland's underworld, helping to make the movie, while Huey Newton & the Black Panthers trying to stop it.Again, this is a great movie, and a fine addition to any DVD collection..
George Murdock, Don Gordon and Carol Speed are hidden gems in a 70s, dare I say it, blaxploitation movie.
I had read that "The Mack" stars Richard Pryor, and so I wanted to see it just for that.
Pryor only plays a supporting role, but that doesn't subtract from the movie at all.
Max Julien plays the title character, a suave pimp recently released from jail.
This movie has it all: afros, revolutionaries (with lines lifted from speeches by Black Panthers), racist cops, and more.
The Mack (1973)*** (out of 4)Goldie (Max Julien) gets released from prison after a five year stretch and heads back to the streets where he plans to become the greatest Mack (pimp) out there.
His brother is against the idea and wishes he'd do something better for his people but Goldie becomes a pimp and soon has issues with two racist white cops.The blaxploitation genre was just kicking off when THE MACK was released and it eventually found some new fame when it was used in TRUE ROMANCE.
Instead of exploitation it really plays out more like an actual drama that tackles various issues that were in the black community.
There's no question having a pimp playing your hero is why so many had issues with the genre but THE MACK is a pretty good film.What I enjoyed the most is the fact that it didn't exploit the situation and instead the movie plays out like a very well-written drama.
The Goldie character goes through a lot of changes throughout the film and I thought the character development was rather good.
I also thought the supporting players like the pimps, the cops and the brother were also very good.
There were a lot of ups and downs for the character but I thought it all played out very well and in a serious way.Julien obviously steals the film playing the pimp.
Richard Pryor was also fun in his supporting role where he once again proved what a good dramatic actor he could be.
Both Don Gordon and William Watson are a lot of fun as the racist cops.THE MACK has some flaws including it running on a bit too long but I think most people will be surprised at how serious the subject matter is handled..
Goldie (Max Julien) is a smooth talking ex-con man out to get his game on by becoming one of the most respected playas in the land!Doing this to get back at the law that locked him up in the first place.
All the quotes that youve heard in rap music regarding the pimping lifestyle is from this film.
Richard Pryor does his usual "free-style adlib" acting, while Max Julien plays the lead role.
I was a kid when this movie came out.Watching it today, it is ripe for ridicule:In only 10 minutes of watching this film, I have seen a black pimp treat black hookers poorly, while he's "dating" a white girl.
Good BLACK movie!.
This is a decent flick as far as BLACK MOVIES GO.
The man who played GOLDIE seemed like a good dude.
Max Julien and Richard Pryor make compelling performances in this somewhat questionable glamorization of pimps in The Mack.
It stars Max Julien as Goldie who after a jail term for 5 years for something I didn't hear explained at the beginning (maybe I missed what was said) becomes a pimp to the eventual consternation of his brother, Olinga (Roger E.
Goldie sure has many obstacles in his way like rival pimps and corrupt white cops as well as his former white employer known only as Fat Man. Richard Pryor plays his loyal associate Slim.
I'll stop there and just say that while the movie is never boring and the performances are good, the characters are mostly not ones one wants to associate with except for the clothes they wear and the women one wants to...well, you know.
This movie is all about a pimping.
Max Julien did great as a Goldie.
So if you are crime movies fan you must see this film because it's one of a few which talks about pimping so openly..
The Mack is a black history film.
The "Ultimate" PIMP Movie.
If you want to look at the orgins of the so called "blaxploitation" movies of the 1970's, then look no further than "The Mack", as one of the forerunners.
This movie explored the world of the street PIMP, which during that time, in the black community, was actually a quasi respected way of making a living.
Up until that time, PIMPS were just accepted in the black community, however, this movie sort of "glorified" PIMPING, and gave it some twisted form of respectability.
As far as the movie, for the time period, it was good.
Max Julien is Goldie, a petty thief who turns to PIMPING upon his release from prison.
Richard Pryor is his loyal sidekick, Slim, and together they go from the bottom to the top of the PIMP game.
Of course you have your crooked white cops and some other hilarious PIMPS.
(NOTE: Some real live PIMP'S were also used in this movie, so it does have some degree of authenticity) Roger E.
Mosley does a great job as Goldie's brother who is against everything that Goldie stands for.If you are interested in PIMPING, then this is a must see movie..
First he's released from prison after 5 years, and then his old flame(Carol Speed who was good) became one of his girls, and the two crooked cops that put him in the prison in first place harassing him, and killed his mother, and then kills a rival pimp with dynamite in the mouth, and then he shoots battery acid into the "Fat Man" after all this he winds up on top in the end despite all of the tragedy he went through.
I don't know why Max Julien didn't do more movies than he did, but he's still a great actor.
Richard Pryor does a great job as Goldie's sidekick Slick.
I can see this movie many times over, because it was that good.
Not quite like the other films of the time.
Some cats say Shaft was the best blaxploitation 70's movie made.
THE MACK is a film about a true anti-hero, as a "mack" is a pimp.
When Goldie gets out of prison, he's determined to be the #1 pimp--no matter what gets in his way.
His brother, however, is full of Black pride and urges Goldie to do something positive with his life.
Unfortunately, Goldie is more than willing to make it big off his own people--and, while the film presents both messages, the overwhelming message through the first 90% of the movie seems to be that Goldie's way is the right way!
Over the course of the film, it was very interesting to see the evolution of Goldie.
However, over time, he becomes harder and badder and colder--so that you really can't like him or justify his life.At the same time, two crooked and racist White cops are shown throughout the film.
Their job, it seems, is to make life tough for Goldie and prove to the audience that White cops are devils--and they do a good job of this!
They are the stereotypical blaxploitation cops--even going so far as killing the only good cop (a Black one, naturally) in the film.Eventually, Goldie becomes so big, so violent and creates so many enemies you aren't sure which one will eventually kill him--the Fat Man, the two psycho cops or one of the other pimps.
If you like this style film and want to root for a low-life, also try SUPER FLY.FYI--Years ago, when I watched I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA, I laughed at Fly Guy and the section on the "Pimp of the Year" competition--not realizing that character was taken straight from THE MACK..
Actor Max Julien plays "Goldie", an ex-con who returns to the streets determined to make it as a pimp in Oakland.The film was actually shot in early '70s Oakland.
Just don't be a pimp.Now all the while Goldie is working hard to be the Mack, his brother is heavily involved in the Panthers and trying to improve the community.
In the end, you just can't knock the hustle.Goldie has the local cops constantly on his butt for kickbacks and free hoes and they deliver rock solid performances.
Not on par with Gene Hackman's breakdown from heroin addiction in The French Connection 2, but still so good you wonder if he really was actually drunk to do the scene.Of course it's not long before rival pimps and gangsters get just a wee bit annoyed at Goldie taking some of their territory and put the finger on him.
He finds out later that it was actually the two white cops that killed his mother, on orders from the pimp.
Goldie partners with his brother to deal with them.Alas, the experience has taken its toll and Goldie decides he's had enough of the pimping game.What an incredible film.
Well-acted and well-filmed, Max Julien delivers just the right amount of cool, the right amount of visciousness and the right amount of sweetness to his hoes and the audience.
This movie begins with a shootout in Oakland between the police and a group of black men.
One of the black men named "Goldie" (Max Julien) is caught and sentenced to 5 years in a penitentiary.
Now, rather than reveal any more of the story and risk ruining the movie for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this was a fairly good "blaxploitation" film which seemed to get better as the movie progressed.
Max Julien plays the hero, John "Goldie" Mickens.
You see, Goldie was a pimp, and he has full intention of going back to the trade that made him a living legend.
Goldie's estranged brother Olinga (Roger Mosley) has joined a militant activist sect who want to rid the ghetto of all forms of negative influencesincluding pimps.
Richard Pryor is Slim, Goldie's loyal friend and confidant.
Added to the danger are rival pimps, who may view Goldie's success as a threat to their own.
This movie, "The Mack," provides the answer: BECOME A PIMP!!!!
So if you want to learn a thing or two about pimping, and what to do to become a "player," then watch this movie.
Warner depicts THE MACK's hero "Goldie" bravely paddling against the tide of holier-than-thou waters as he stoutly fights to make Oakland's streets safe for working girls.