Vonetta McGee Movies
Gifted African American actress Vonetta McGee made her movie bow in the 1968 Italian film Il Grand Silencio. After playing roles in a few "blaxploitation" flicks, McGee and her significant other Max Julien produced and co-starred in Thomasine and Bushrod (1974), a critically applauded black variation on the "Bonnie and Clyde" legend. She went on to appear with Bernie Casey in another intensely personal effort, Brothers (1977), in which she played activist Angela Davis. In 1975, McGee was selected as Clint Eastwood's leading lady in The Eiger Sanction. On television, Vonetta McGee co-starred with Robert Blake in the weekly series Hell Town (1985) and with Jimmie Walker in the syndicated sitcom Bustin' Loose (1987). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1970
- PG
When American agents in Moscow try to recover a stolen letter implicating America in an anti-Red China plot, they discover a hornet's nest of treason, double agents, murder, and betrayal. The plot has as many switchbacks as a Formula One racetrack, and a pad and paper to keep track of the agents and their code names wouldn't hurt. Still, The Kremlin Letter is an interesting espionage movie with some good performances. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bibi Andersson, Richard Boone, (more)
- 1969
- PG
Jason Higgs (Sidney Poitier) is an angry black man who plans to rob a factory payroll. With the help of his accomplices Dennis (Al Freeman Jr.) and his white girlfriend Cathy (Joanna Shimkus), a racially motivated demonstration diverts attention from the crooks while they rob the safe. Jason is somewhat of a modern-day Robin Hood who wishes to use the money to help the children of incarcerated soul brothers. He only places his hope in the youth who have not been sullied or scalded by the hatred of racial prejudice. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- 1968
This romantic comedy concerns a young girl who is the product of a black American-Army regular and a Roman woman who shared a romance in World War II. The woman is pursued by two men who both covet a relationship with the dark-skinned girl. Scenes often take place amidst the Roman antiquities and ruins that have become famous the world over. Faustina (Vonetta McGee) falls for a shady trader who deals in pilfered antiques. She is also courted by her neighbor, who revels in the good things in life but seems to be allergic to any kind of manual labor. Faustina decides she must choose between the two men but soon leans towards the more carefree and comedic neighbor. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vonetta McGee, Enzo Cerusico, (more)
Italian filmmaker Sergio Corbucci directed this serious-minded populist spin on the spaghetti western, starring Jean-Louis Trintignant as Silence, whose vocal cords have been slashed by sadistic bounty-hunters. Silence joins with local hillfolk in fighting the corrupt and tyrannical authorities in the town of Snow Mill. Corbucci's sympathies are clearly with his bandit heroes, who are only doing what they must to survive, while the law is represented by a corrupt sheriff, who lets his wealthy patrons run wild, and sadistic scum like Klaus Kinski, who kills the poor because he enjoys it. Politically charged in a way that only a film of its time could be, Il Grande Silenzio's themes of class struggle and violent revolution were a bit too hot for an American release in 1968. Vonetta McGee co-starred with genre regulars Frank Wolff, Luigi Pistilli, and Raf Baldassare. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean-Louis Trintignant, Klaus Kinski, (more)
