Black Belt Jones (1974) [Warner Archive Blu-ray review]

Black Belt Jones is the feature length follow-up vehicle for Jim Kelly. A year prior, he made his debut in Enter the Dragon and now he was going to fill the Robert Clouse directed hole left in the wake of Bruce Lee’s death. Locally, Kelly is a fan favorite because he was a U of L football player for a hot second and then left to study Karate in Lexington. While not the natural hot bed for learning the Deadly Arts of Kung-Fu, Kelly transitioned into becoming a master of Okinawan Karate in short order. By then, the 70s were in full swing and Kelly had become the Kung Fu man of the hour.

But, how did he transition from kicking ass in the Bluegrass to make the 4 part ass kicking fiesta that was Enter the Dragon, Black Belt Jones, Golden Needles and Hot Potato? Also, I know Warner Archive reads this…when are we getting a Blu-ray for Hot Potato. I’m assuming the rights are with WB and not over at Kino. You can’t tease the people with Black Belt and deny us Hot Potato.

What is Black Belt Jones?

Black Belt Jones centers around martial arts expert “Black Belt” Jones (Jim Kelly), who’s called to defend a karate dojo owned by his mentor, Pop Byrd (Scatman Crothers), from the Mafia. The Mafia wants the dojo property for its value in a new civic center development, and they aren’t above using violence to get their way. When Pop is killed, Jones teams up with Pop’s feisty daughter Sydney (Gloria Hendry) to protect the dojo and avenge Pop’s death. Together, they fend off gangsters and take the fight directly to the Mafia, culminating in a series of explosive action scenes.

The plot is classic blaxploitation—a local hero standing up against corruption and crime, with plenty of attitude and martial arts mastery. The pacing keeps things moving quickly, never dwelling too much on the serious, always pushing forward to the next brawl. The real focus here isn’t the storyline, but the action, style, and personality that Jim Kelly brings to every scene.

Kung Fu Fighting for the Culture

Black Belt Jones is about standing up for your community and fighting against those who try to exploit it. The dojo represents more than just a building—it’s a symbol of unity, tradition, and personal strength. The film also showcases the importance of martial arts as a means of empowerment. Kelly’s character isn’t just a fighter; he’s a protector, someone who uses his skills to defend those who can’t defend themselves.

The blaxploitation angle is clear, as Jones is positioned as a local hero who embodies Black power, independence, and resistance against corruption. The movie’s blend of humor, style, and martial arts action underscores a sense of joy in defiance, making it more than just an action flick—it’s a celebration of empowerment through strength and skill.

Let’s talk about the Black Belt Jones Warner Archive Blu-ray

The Warner Archive Blu-ray release revitalizes Black Belt Jones, giving it the presentation it deserves. The vibrant colors of Kelly’s wardrobe, the funky set pieces, and the intense action sequences are all much more defined in this high-definition restoration. The remastered picture makes the dynamic fight choreography shine, and the clean-up job on the original print brings out details that fans might have missed in previous versions.

The soundtrack, with music composed by Luchi DeJesus, is full of funk and soul that fits perfectly with the film’s energy. The remastered audio ensures that the punches land harder, the music thumps louder, and Jim Kelly’s one-liners resonate with even more attitude. The enhanced sound quality elevates the viewing experience, keeping the film’s 1970s groove intact.

The Blu-ray comes with the original theatrical trailer as the sole special feature.

Final thoughts

Black Belt Jones is a product of its time, but in the best possible way. It’s an exuberant mix of kung fu action, blaxploitation cool, and 1970s attitude. Jim Kelly’s magnetic presence makes every scene a blast, and the film’s blend of martial arts and urban grit gives it a distinct personality that still holds up today.

The Warner Archive Blu-ray release is a must-have for fans of blaxploitation, classic martial arts films, or anyone who just loves a good underdog story. With its sharper visuals and improved audio, this edition of Black Belt Jones allows the film’s unique spirit to shine. It’s a celebration of a bygone era of cinema—one where heroes were cool, villains were over the top, and every conflict could be settled with a well-placed roundhouse kick.

Black Belt Jones is now available on Warner Archive Blu-ray from MovieZyng

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Buy Black Belt Jones on Warner Archive Blu-ray

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