PIC of the Week – Judas and the Black Messiah
Article Series by Ray Schillaci
Warner Brothers releases a powder keg of a movie that aligns with the times, Judas and the Black Messiah. Based on the true story of the rise of the Black Panthers, one of their leaders, Fred Hampton and the man that became their Judas, Bill O’Neal. Writer/director Shaka King and his team of writers deliver a gripping, aggravating and thought provoking piece of informative history of African-American culture in the late ’60s and the movement led by J. Edgar Hoover to crush the Black Panther party.
Some minor facts are embellished for dramatic effect in this story of Hampton and O’Neal, but most of what is on screen is factual – Hoover’s disdain for the Panthers, O’Neal’s part in attempting to engage the Panthers in a more militant move, and Hampton’s contributions to the Chicago community and his fight for social injustice.
By no means am I suggesting that the Black Panthers are painted as saints in this film. There is no black and white picture portrayed, good guys vs. villains. Judas and the Black Messiah shows a segment of society that was cornered and given proof that it is way past the time for peaceful protests after their people have been victimized with unfair accusations, beatings and murder by figures of authority. Sound familiar?
According to an article in Yale News written in October of 2020, “There has been no reduction in racial disparity in fatal police shooting victims despite increased use of body cameras and closer media scrutiny…” This has sparked the forming of the Black Lives Matter movement and the NFAC (Not F**king Around Coalition), an armed all Black (men and women) Atlanta-based group against questionable police tactics and deaths of countless Black people at the hands of officers. Sadly, it feels as if history is repeating itself.
This is what makes Shaka King’s film so very important to watch. King and his writers give the conflict of what Bill O’Neal goes through as he is arrested for auto theft and impersonating an FBI agent. The habitual criminal is given the choice of facing a prison sentence for several years or infiltrating the Black Panthers, gathering information, and being instrumental in putting them down at the hands of J. Edgar Hoover.
O’Neal consents to join the Panthers and is well paid as an informant. But, what the criminal does not expect is finding the human side of the Black Panther movement and their chairman, Fred Hampton. His charitable ways and his cry out for justice not just for Blacks, but for all the downtrodden. Hampton is feared by a segment of the FBI that considers him to be the next Black Messiah that could lead to a revolution and an end to white superiority, as Hoover insists.
The only spoilers to this is the sad and upsetting history itself. Yes, Fred Hampton and his followers considered themselves revolutionaries. But, if you consider the circumstances surrounding the events you can easily see why they adopted that title. The police and the government deemed them dangerous militants. If you go back and read the fascinating history behind it all and watch Shaka King’s movie you will have a far better understanding of where everybody was coming from and who actually enforced militaristic maneuvers.
Why did Warner Brothers drop the ball on this release? Here’s a film that was nominated for Best Cinematography and for some insane reason it goes without a 4K release. Instead we get a very good 1080p picture that is near flawless. Attention to detail and clarity is outstanding with the time it depicts with clothing, cars, buildings, etc. Dark scenes are never a problem and facial tones are captured beautifully. This is a great reference disc for a 1080 picture.
Absent as well is a Dolby Atmos track that is sorely missed. Instead, we get an English DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio track that displays the full power it can provide and its limitations when compared to Dolby Atmos. Anyone who watched the film on HBO Max will notice the difference since WB provided a 4K presentation with the Dolby Atmos track to their streaming service. Anyway, the 5.1 lossless mix is quite powerful. Surround sound is very realistic with action moments and Mark Isham and Craig Harris’ score riveting us. Dialogue is crisp and clear rarely needing subtitles.
When it comes to bonuses, Warners shows no faith in this outstanding film. It’s nearly criminal that they’ve provided less than twenty minutes (not counting trailers) of supplementals. Why skimp on such a great film? Is it no faith in their film or do I dare say it is (subconsciously) racially motivated by WB? Whatever the reason, all we get is…
• Fred Hampton for the People
• Unexpected Betrayal
• Trailers
There are so many reasons to see this important film. The acting is top notch with stand out performances by both Oscar winning Daniel Kaluuya as Fred Hampton and LaKeith Stanfield as Bill O’Neal with special shout outs to Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback and Martin Sheen as the despicable J. Edgar Hoover. Shaka King and his writers have crafted one of the best films about an informant since Donnie Brasco and Sidney Lumet’s Prince of the City. This is why Judas and the Black Messiah was wisely nominated for Best Picture, and why you should at least see it or add the film to your library.
Lowest Price – $19.96 – Walmart
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Directed by: Shaka King
Release Date: February 12, 2021 (theatrical), March 4, 2021 (Blu-Ray)
Run Time: 126 Minutes
Rated: R
Country: USA
Distributor: Warner Brothers
