MartinHafer
This blacksloitation movie stars Roger Mosley, the guy who most folks would recognize from "Magnum PI", as he was a long-time supporting character on this TV series. Here, however, he plays a real jerk--a hit-man who works for the mob who pretends to be a preacher in order to do evil and combat a vigilante force known as 'Unity Force'. It's his boss, Frank (William Smith), who convinces him to do this...with vague promises of 'a piece of the action'. In his job as a preacher, Lee/Holmes is told to do a lot of things that will hurt the black community--such as throwing in his support for a scum-bag white politician who cares nothing for his black constituents. Will he continue doing the bidding for his white masters or will be either stand up on his own and take over the rackets or will he actually do something to help his people? See the film and find out for yourself.This isn't one of the more polished and big-budgeted films of the genre. Occasionally some of the acting is rather poor and the music is ever-present but not especially good. But otherwise it's what you'd normally expect--violence, boobs, evil white folks and a tough-guy who manages to take on practically everyone to deliver his own brand of justice. Worth seeing but not a must-see film.By the way, if you do watch, also pay attention to Beverly. That's Marla Gibbs of "The Jeffersons" playing the preacher's lady friend.
wes-connors
After a funeral for what appears to be a very wealthy person, hit-man Roger E. Mosley (as Holmes) kills three men. The murders are increasingly painful, with the third man meeting a notably gruesome end. After this, Mr. Mosley meets with his employer, crime lord William Smith (as Martelli). Unhappy with the truck killing Mr. Smith wants Mosely to go undercover as a preacher and stop what's been interfering with Mr. Smith's operation. Mosley poses as "Jason Lee", a minister expected by the community who apparently meets his maker through the courtesy of Smith's henchmen. Mosley preaches and struts. Playing a sleazy politician, Michael Pataki (as Sam Sills) threatens to steal the show – trouble is, there isn't any show to steal. People strut around for a long time and we're never really sure how events connect. It's nice to see the Los Angeles locations and the first appearance of "The Jeffersons" maid Marla Gibbs, who became a big TV favorite.*** Sweet Jesus, Preacherman (5/25/73) Henning Schellerup ~ Roger E. Mosley, William Smith, Michael Pataki, Marla Gibbs
firefoxpies-139-635676
Even though it plays more like a TV movie than a theatrical release, this film captures early 70's LA street life inadvertently and entertainingly. Many scenes were shot out in the streets, at local joints, giving a glimpse of life at the time. Enjoyable scene at the nudie bar, and later at the girl's tiny apartment. Moseley is wonderful as the Preacherman, and there are many familiar faces in the cast throughout. It is not blaxploitation in the least, but rather a thought-provoking timestamp of urban black life, with the exploitation coming from the politicians and others involved with "Jason Lee", who quickly warms to his charade role as community and spiritual leader, while still bullying, beating and strong-arming those in his way. The action scenes are a bit stiff, the narrative a little slow moving, but there is much more to look at and be entertained by, like the mad fight in the baptismal font that cements Preacherman's destiny. Def worth watching.
ramsfan
The 70's produced a series of movies categorized as 'blaxploitation" films- low budget, campy cinema which featured a predominantly black cast. White actors were often cast as the villains, and a number of these movies were quite entertaining despite the bad dialog and low production values. The flashy 70's fashion and hip lingo add to the allure of these period pieces."Sweet Jesus, Preacherman" is unfortunately not one of the more worthy entries into this genre. Roger E. Moseley, best known for his role as Tom Selleck's sidekick "T.C." in CBS' Magnum, P.I. stars in the lead as a mobster looking to take control of the rackets while posing as a ghetto preacher. While an enjoyable character actor, Moseley lacks the magnetism of a Pam Grier, William Marshall or Fred Williamson to effectively carry the film.Lending the movie a degree of interest is bad guy extraordinaire William Smith, one of the greatest character actors ever, as Martelli, Moseley's boss. Smith was the master of making average to below average films watchable with his menacing portrayals and "Sweet Jesus" is no exception.Overall, not on a par with "Foxy Brown", "Blacula", "Black Gunn", "Coffy" and a number of other more enjoyable blaxploitation films of the time.
AD
