Palm Theater - SLO Film Center
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH R.A.C.E MATTERS SLO
Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte created one of the boldest and most remarkable artistic partnerships of the 1970s with Poitier's directorial debut. This groundbreaking film was the first major Hollywood Western directed by a Black filmmaker, produced in collaboration with Belafonte, and starring the two as the title characters. Poitier plays Buck, a trail guide who crosses paths with a scheming preacher (portrayed with charismatic unpredictability by Belafonte). The two form an uneasy alliance to help freed slaves journey westward while evading ex-Confederate soldiers on their trail. Buck and the Preacher delivers a captivating Western experience, blending humor and suspense with a modern perspective. With standout performances from Ruby Dee and Cameron Mitchell in supporting roles, the film draws striking parallels between the aftermath of the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, offering entertainment with a powerful message.
(1972) Rated PG
Co-Directed: Sidney Portier & Joseph Sargent
Starring: Sidney Portier, Harry Belafonte, Ruby Dee
A wagon master and a con-man preacher help freed slaves dogged by cheap-labor agents out West.