The Spook Who Sat by the Door

Starring:Lawrence Cook, Jim Heard, Margaret Kromgols, Don Blakely, James Mitchell (II), Orlanders Thomas, Robert Franklia, Don Greenlee, Lenard Norris, Cora Williams (II), Larry Lawrence, Anthony Ray, Bob Hill (II), Kathy Berk, Tyrone R. Livingston, Audrey Stevenson, Martin Golar, Ernest Robinson, Colostine Boatwright, Janet League
Director: Ivan Dixon
Studio: Monarch Video
Product Type: DVD

Average customer rating:

very strong film
Incredible
see this movie
Not your standard Spy Flick!
The Spook Who Sat by the Door

The Spook Who Sat by the Door
Starring: Lawrence Cook , Jim Heard , Cora Williams (II) , Larry Lawrence , and Bob Hill (II)
Director: Ivan Dixon
Manufacturer: Monarch Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00013F2OA
Release Date: 2004-01-27

Customer Reviews:

very strong film.......2007-04-04

this film was very educational and didn't pull any punches. it showed how to overcome and handle your self. in truth this film was truly ahead of it's time. I miss films like this that was about standing up for yourself and doing your own thing. very strong social commentary film that is direct and deals with Racism,but also is Pro-self. a must see.

Incredible.......2007-03-25

It is time to really re-evaluate our (Black Peoples) situation. This movie was and is an expression of all those thoughts that most African American and other oppressed people feel. We need to be free! We now have good jobs, we now have nice things, but only if you shut your mouth and keep your head bowed. This movie (although the inserted commentary tries to withhold the true theme of the movie) is a must see for all those who wish to see what it will be like when we ( the People) rebel. It shows a simple glimpse of what would need to be done for change. Not for a sort of a change , not for a piece of the pie, but for freedom. And that is cause for a revolution. This movie has been suppressed to long, tell a friend to get this movie.

see this movie.......2007-01-30

I first saw this years back on a terrible copy of a copy of a copy of a bootleg and even through the fuzzy hazy blurry image and barely audible sound was completely astounded by this film and the fact that it was ever made in the first place. That you can now buy a great looking restored widescreen dvd of this is something of a miracle. The Spook is really one of a kind: a truly radical political american film, uncompromising, gutsy, smart, facing up to the turbulent times it was created in and coming back with an unflinchingly harsh response. Some people are going to find the world view underlying this movie a bit scary, but then some folks need a wake up call in the worst way.

Keeping in mind the limited resources at the disposal of the filmmakers, it is also a pretty darn funny, pretty well acted (especially by Lawrence Cook), and extremely entertaining movie throughout, with great low budget action and tight soundtrack work by Herbie Hancock. Probably the less said about the specifics of the plot the better: just see it with an open mind and give it a chance.

Not your standard Spy Flick!.......2006-11-15

Today's audiences may see see this film as a low budget blaxploitation film from the early seventies that has little to offer the genre. But that isn't quite so.

The film opens with a white politician checking the polls and his numbers to see if he will be re-elected. His numbers are down. The black vote in particular is a source of concern. To swing numbers in his favour, his assistant suggests that he accuse the C.I.A. of being racist and elitist because they have no Negroes in their ranks.

This sets the ball rolling. The C.I.A. begin an integration program for black Americans. Hundreds are interviewed, police checked and tested. Slowly their numbers are whittled down to forty, then ten.

One of the final candidates is Dan Freeman (Lawrence Cook), who is diligent in his studies and doesn't go out on the town with the other candidates. This causes friction between the applicants and they accuse him of being a `puppet for the white man'. But as the evaluation process continues, Freeman proceeds through to the final round. He does all the right things. When he does venture out of the training camp, he goes to a prostitute. In this day and age, you may think that this indicates that he has low moral fibre. But no, this is the early seventies, and to the powers that be, this indicates that Freeman is not a homosexual. And people who watch a lot of spy movies will know that in the sixties and seventies, homosexuality was viewed as a weakness, or an illness, which often lead to communism (that's not my opinion - simply an observation).

Finally Freeman makes it through the selection process. He alone, will be the first black American to join the C.I.A. Despite this honour, his worth to the C.I.A. is illustrated by the position he is entrusted with. Is he to become a covert agent out in the field performing daring missions? No way! He is assigned to the photocopier. But he does his job enthusiastically. Soon his professionalism and amiable manner are noticed, and he almost becomes a propaganda tool for the C.I.A. Whenever a dignitary or politician visits C.I.A. headquarters, it is Freeman who shows them around the facility. He is on show as much as the building and the technology.
But after five years of duty, Freeman decides to leave the agency to become a youth worker in Chicago. As an important role model for black America, he is given a hearty handshake and wished the best of luck.

This is where the film hots up. And I am not going to ruin the film for you by telling you what happens. Let's just say, Freeman puts his C.I.A. skills to use in a way the establishment didn't expect.

The Spook Who Sat At The Door is a fascinating film. It is a low budget production, so don't expect to be blown away by the visuals. At the heart, is it's story and a subversive little story at that. If you are after slam-bam action, this will not be your film, but if you are after a spy film with a voice, or are simply interested in the times, then this movie is highly recommended.

The Spook Who Sat by the Door.......2006-11-10

The dvd made a funny noise when played, but the movie was great and very insightful. It is a must see.

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