Black Caesar (1973)

In the racially charged streets of 1953 Harlem, a tough, delinquent teenager, Tommy Gibbs, is molded by the harsh realities of life in the ghetto. The brutal act of a corrupt cop, breaking his leg during a bungled payoff, fuels his desire for revenge and power. As he matures, Tommy's rage against the injustice around him, both within the criminal underworld and the wider society, guides his ruthless ascent through the ranks of New York City's criminal landscape. His audacious hit on a mob contract catches the eye of a Mafia family head, leading to a reluctant induction into 'The Family.' But Tommy, a maverick at heart, grows progressively autonomous and aggressive, his actions igniting the spark of a gang war. At the same time, he cunningly steals accounting ledgers from the mafia, solidifying his position as a formidable kingpin in Harlem. His control extends over both the mobsters and the crooked police commissary, McKinney. Yet, in this unforgiving world of power and betrayal, Tommy's empire begins to crumble. The sting of treachery from his mistress Helen and his closest ally signals the start of his downfall. Torn between the pursuit of power and the bitterness of betrayal, Tommy's journey through the dark underbelly of Harlem paints a vivid portrait of a society riddled with racism and corruption.

Black Caesar is an action movie featuring Fred Williamson.

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