@celeste_writes
A patient, formally daring work — the cinematography lingers on empty rooms longer than most audiences will tolerate, but those who stay are rewarded with the most haunting final act of the year.
Jones is a secret agent who has gone into semi-retirement, concentrating instead on teaching the martial arts to inner city youths. The karate school is run by a kindly old coot named Pops. His gambling debts, however, bring the local thug, Pinky, down on him. To make matters worse, Pinky is then hired by some white thugs who want to get a hold of the property Pops' school occupies so they can build a shopping mall. When things get heavy, Black Belt Jones leaps into action. Only he's not alone. Pops' daughter, Sidney, shows up to lend a hand, proving herself every bit as agile and powerful a martial artist as Jones.
Quick Stats
6.0
TMDB Rating
72
Votes
1h 27m
Runtime
—
Budget
—
Box Office
—
Return
Key Crew
DirectorRobert Clouse
WriterFred Weintraub
CinematographyKent L. Wakeford
ComposerC. Darin Knight
EditorMichael Kahn
Production DesignCharles Pierce
Produced by
Sequoin FilmsWarner Bros. PicturesSequoia Pictures
Where to Watch
Streaming
Netflix
HBO MaxBuy
Apple iTunesSee more on TMDB → JustWatch
Critics & Reviews
3 featured@jhalberg
I walked in expecting another genre exercise and walked out feeling like I'd been eavesdropping on a confession. The lead performance is genuinely singular — a career-defining turn.
@priya_a
A few too many scenes feel borrowed from a better film, but the soundtrack and the production design carry the rest. Solid recommendation for fans of slow-burn European thrillers.
Cast
Jim Kelly
Black Belt Jones
Gloria Hendry
Sydney
Scatman Crothers
Pop Byrd
Eric Laneuville
Quincy
Alan Weeks
Toppy
A
Andre Philippe
Don Steffano
Vincent Barbi
Big Tuna
Mel Novak
Blue Eyes
M
Malik Carter
Pinky
Eddie Smith
Oscar
Alex Brown
Plummer
S
Sonny Barnes
Tango
Earl Jolly Brown
Jelly
J
Jac Emel
Marv the Butcher
W
Wayne Musgrove
Brother Blake
