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Mar 29, 2024 · Black Entertainment. Lists that rank the top movies, TV series, and other media about and featuring Black characters and culture. Over 1K filmgoers have voted on the 50+ films on Best Black Movies Of The 1970s. Current Top 3: Claudine, Shaft, Uptown Saturday Night.
Fences (2016) PG-13 | 139 min | Drama. A working-class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950s, while coming to terms with the events of his life. Director: Denzel Washington | Stars: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo. Votes: 117,896 | Gross: $57.68M.
- A Raisin in The Sun
- Paris Blues
- Dilemma
- Pressure Point
- Borom Sarret
- Black Like Me
- One Potato, Two Potato
- Ballad in Blue
- A Man called Adam
- Black Girl
A Raisin in the Sunfollows the story of a poor black family who has the chance to collect on a significant insurance payment. The money could mean salvation or ruin, depending on the outcome. The film stars Sidney Poitier, the first black actor to win an Oscar for Best Actor.
Paris Blues gives you not one but two superstars, featuring Sidney Poitier and Paul Newman. It tells the story of two American Jazz musicians now living in France. The two men fall in love with two tourist girls from America. Fun fact: Louis Armstrong also makes a cameo.
Black movies in the 1960s look well beyond the borders of the United States. Dilemmafollows Englishman Toy Hood, who takes a job in Johannesburg. While there, he meets people from different social classes, forcing him to confront the harsh realities of the country’s apartheid.
In this emotionally charged film, Sidney Poitier plays a black psychiatrist working in prison. His character receives the unwelcome job of assisting an American Nazi who is facing charges of sedition. Peter Falk of Columbofame makes a cameo as a young psychiatrist.
Although it’s technically a short film, coming in at just 20 minutes, Borom Sarret is worth mentioning on this list. According to IMDB, some consider it the first film made by a black African. It shows what poverty is like in the African country of Senegal, focusing on the working class.
This drama is gripping because the directors based it on a true story. Black Like Me is about a white reporter who artificially darkened his skin (temporarily) and headed into the segregated South. His goal was to see what the experience would be. The film is set amid the Civil Rights movement.
One Potato, Two Potatois another one of the 60s black movies on this list that addresses sensitive topics for its time. It tells the story of an interracial marriage between a white woman and an African-American man. The woman’s ex-husband sued for custody of their children, claiming that the “mixed” household was damaging for the kids.
This movie makes the list mainly because of the rare appearance of Ray Charles. The musician plays a character who wants to help a low-income family with a blind son by paying for a medical procedure to help the child regain his sight. Of course, expect some music courtesy of Charles.
Here’s another black movie featuring a famous musician—in this case, it’s Samny Davis Jr. Louis Armstrong also stars! A Man Called Adamis about a jazz musician who finds himself struggling to deal with the harsh realities of everyday life.
This film is another must-see for anyone looking for movies set outside of the U.S. Black Girltells the story of an African woman from Senegal who moves to France to work as a servant. It’s based on a novel by Ousamen Sembene, who also directs the film.
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The 70's signified the birth of a new genre in Black Cinema. This decade brought us films like "Shaft" and "Super Fly", which were instrumental in the emergence of the Blaxploitation genre. Meanwhile, "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" and "Roots" offered powerful narratives about the BlackEexperience in America.
- Blackenstein (1973) Also known as the Black Frankenstein, Blackenstein stars John Hart, Ivory Stone, and Andrea King in one of the best black horror films of the 70s.
- Black Samson (1974) For territory and rival movies, Black Samson gives Westside Story a run for its money. The film stars a noble nightclub owner desperately trying to keep his neighborhood crime and drug-free, but his luck soon runs out when Johnny Nappa shows up trying to incite violence.
- The Soul of Ni**er Charley (1973) If you’re a fan of Western movies, you’ll want to give this movie a watch. You’ll enjoy this movie primarily because of its action sequences and historical context.
- Willie Dynamite (1973) This movie follows a social worker trying to help a pimp and his workers turn their life around. This movie has everything from 70s Black fashion, hit songs from the time, and raunchy outfits.
Today we will review some of the most celebrated black films of all time, from transformative black films of the 1950s to the rich cultural tapestry of 1970s black cinema and beyond. So sit back, relax, and munch on some popcorn while you discover the best classic black movies to watch in 2022.
The Definitive List Of Black Movies From The 40's, 50's, 60's, and 70's. 1. Cooley High (1975) PG | 107 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance. In 1964 on Chicago's Near-North Side, the lives of four carefree high school seniors and best friends, including an aspiring playwright and an all-city basketball champion, takes a tragic turn.
