BOSS (1975) REVIEWED
“Boss” has been having a minor comeback among film nerds. Many hear the claims of older film nerds that state the film was only released by Paramount as Boss. Others like myself have seen prints with the insensitive original title that many claim never exist. All of that infighting glosses over something rather big. Fred Williamson was making amazing movies in the early 70s that so many people have forgotten about now.
This film features Williamson as a bounty hunter who takes over a tiny Southwestern town. Eventually, he goes all Judge Roy Bean and appoints himself Sheriff. From there, he starts fining people for saying the “N-word” and beating down those that oppose his visions for a Blaxploitation Utopia. The film plays rather fast, but it does have a one note premise of installing Black Man’s Law in a White Man’s town.
While this is the best I’ve seen the film look, I still feel like it needs a restoration. I was spotting signs of print damage and rather apparent distortion throughout many of the exterior shots. That being said, I’m not sure who would touch such a restoration in the current climate. Oh well, this will work until then.
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Original Theatrical Trailers
- Video Specials: A Conversation With Fred, The Hammer, Williamson with Joel Blumberg
- Video Specials: A Boss Memory with producer Myrl Schreibman
- Video Specials: A Jack Arnold Tribute to Producer by Myrl Schreibman
A/V STATS
- 2.35:1 1080p transfer
- LPCM MONO
