The 1970s was one of the most prolific times for Black movies. There was an enormous number
of African-American films made during this time period. Many of the Black movies made during
the 1970s have become known as Blaxploitation films, even though all of the Black movies made
during this time don't necessarily fit the strict definition of a Blaxploitation movie.
What is a blaxploitation film and where did the term come from?
By definition, the word "blaxploitation" is a combination of the words "black" and "exploitation." It was coined during the 1970s to describe films that were targeted to African-Americans that had funky, soul soundtracks and usually featured drug dealers, pimps and hit men.
The phrase "blaxploitation" came into being because many people thought that these films stereotyped black people in films and thus exploited them. Also, most of the blaxploitation movies were produced by white studios even though they had predominantly black casts.
The movie most credited with starting the blaxploitation movie movement is Melvin Van Peeble's "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song ," because it proved that there was a large Black American audience for all
Black cast films. However, technically, the first blaxploitation movie was Shaft.
If you want to learn more about blaxploitation films, there is a DVD called Baadasssss Cinema - A Bold Look at 70's Blaxploitation Films that focuses specifically on this genre of African-American movies. This DVD also contains interviews with Blaxploitation movie stars.
This Blaxploitation film database contains Black movies made during the 1970s that are currently
available on DVD or VHS.
These movies don't all strictly fit the blaxploitation definition, but they all star Black actors and actresses and were made during the 1970s.
We are continually adding films to our database. If you would like to know when we add more content, please join our email list. If there is an African-American film or DVD that you are looking for but cannot find, please Contact Us and we will try to help you locate it.
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