Capital Celluloid 2025 — Day 43: Thu Feb 13

Take A Hard Ride (Dawson, 1975): BFI Southbank, NFT3, 8.30pm


This film is part of the African American Western season and also screens on February 8th. You can find the full details here.

Time Out review:
A rather crude attempt to expand the Italian Western, cashing in on the blaxploitation and kung-fu markets. Two black dudes (Jim Brown, Fred Williamson), in uneasy alliance and carrying a heap of money, pick up a couple of waifs and strays, including a kung-fu fighting Indian, while a vast army of bounty hunters headed by Lee Van Cleef chase after the loot. All an excuse for some undemanding thrills, listlessly put together. The film only rouses itself to kill people off: they don't just die, they fall from heights, slam into railings, and throw themselves into puddles just in front of the camera. Ironic that it's only in their dying seconds that most of the cast come alive.
Chris Peachment

Here (and above) is the trailer.

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