Black Gunn is a 1972 film that is charged with social commentary of the era. In between fist fights and gun battles characters discuss social stigmas as well and class and race separation.  The main character known only as Gunn (played by Jim Brown) runs a successful nightclub within the African American community.  When his brother, who leads a militant group, gets in trouble with the mob after knocking over one of their betting operations, Gunn is pulled into a world of violence and power struggles.

The general story arc itself has been seen many times over in Hollywood. A person who makes their own way in the world and doesn’t get involved in the affairs of others gets pulled into a mess by a friend or family member. Now this tough as nails person must tear the world apart to adhere to their own personal code of honor even if it means leaving bodies and destruction in their wake.  These types of stories hinge on the main protagonist. In this particular example, it is Gunn, whom I found very likable. From our first sequences with him, he seems smart, confident, collected and brave. All what I would call admirable qualities. It is because of Jim Brown’s performance that this movie even holds together at all. Otherwise, you just have a bunch of radicals and criminals threatening and shooting at each other.  The main character of Gunn grounds all the violence and mayhem.  

Although the performance of Jim Brown was the standout, the other actors weren’t terrible.  It is just there wasn’t much for them to work with.  It seemed almost as if the cast just floated in and out with unclear intent.  In fact, that’s the overall biggest problem for this movie.  There is no clear direction for the characters.  Gunn and company just seem to be reacting with passion, anger and hatred. There is no real character arcs or growth.  It makes for a lot of action, arguments and fights but leaves one feeling less than enthusiastic for them.  The ending although explosive is a perfect example.  It didn’t seem to really resolve much of anything.  Gunn, or any of the other characters for that matter, seem to go through no kind of internal shift. Gunn himself certainly had his life upended but I’m not sure he feels any differently at the end as he did when we first met him.  So, the whole film feels like just watching a bunch of hotheads collide amongst racial and class tensions.   

For those who like movies about revenge and a one-man army kicking butt and taking names, this flick should be up your alley. Gunn is a likable lead.  You want to root for him and he earns your respect and attention.  His commanding and level presence are the very reason that I wish they did more with him.  There was a lot of potential in him but instead, he just plows through lowlifes like he is clearing a barroom brawl that got out of hand.  His character is still interesting to watch just the things that happen to him seem haphazardly put together at times leaving one feeling a little disappointed.  

RORSCHACH RATING

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Victims and Villains is written and produced by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey. Music by Yuriy Bespalov & Beggars. Black Gunn is property of Columbia Pictures & Mill Creek Entertainment. We do not own nor claim any rights. Pick up your copy from Mill Creek Entertainment today by clicking here.