Hammer (film)

Hammer is a 1972 blaxploitation film directed by Bruce D. Clark. The film was released following the successes of Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song and Shaft, notable 1971 films that popularized black cinema. It starred Fred Williamson as B.J. Hammer. Williamson went on to become a staple of the genre.

For other films, see Hammer (disambiguation) § In film and TV.
Hammer
Directed byBruce D. Clark
Produced byAl Adamson
Written byCharles Johnson
StarringFred Williamson
Bernie Hamilton
Vonetta McGee
William Smith
Elizabeth Harding
Mel Stewart
Stack Pierce
Music bySolomon Burke
CinematographyRobert Steadman
Edited byGeorge Folsey Jr.
Production
company
Essaness Productions
Distributed byUnited Artists (1972, original)
MGM) (2004, DVD)
Olive Films (under license from MGM) (2015,Blu-Ray DVD)
Release date
  • September 20, 1972 (1972-09-20)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

B.J. Hammer is a boxer who rises up the ranks with help from the Mafia. However, Hammer doesn't realize that the help comes with a price: He is asked to throw a fight. Gangsters threaten to harm his girlfriend in an attempt to force him to go through with their plan. Hammer is forced to figure out a way to save his dignity and the life of his girlfriend when she is kidnapped by the gangsters.

Cast

Reception and legacy

The movie gained a positive reception.[1] "The Hammer" has become Williamson's official nickname, earned during his time playing professional football.[2] Williamson is also credited as playing "Hammer, the ladies man," in the 1980 martial arts film Fist of Fear, Touch of Death and as "The Hammer" in a 2006 direct-to-video release called Spaced Out.

Releases on DVD & HD
  • In 2004 it was released on DVD.
  • In 2010 it was digitized in High Definition (1080i) and broadcast on MGM HD.
  • In 2015 it was released on Blu-Ray DVD by Olive Films.

References
  1. "37. Hammer (1972) — The 50 Best Blaxploitation Movies". Complex. 2013-07-28. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
  2. "fred williamson and blaxploitation films - Today's News: Our Take". TVGuide.com. 2004-01-21. Retrieved 2014-01-14.
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