Buck and the Preacher

"Buck and the Preacher" (1972)

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BUCK AND THE PREACHER

Reviewed by Heather Picker

Directed by Sidney Poitier. Screenplay by Ernest Kinoy. Starring Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte, with Ruby Dee and Cameron Mitchell. 1972, 102 min., Rated PG.

Sidney Poitier's feature film directorial debut is a slowly paced western that blends action and comedy with mixed results. Ernest Kinoy's (the TV miniseries "Roots") meandering script is the biggest problem: Poitier's Buck, a former sergeant in the Union Army, and Harry Belafonte's ex-con Preacher are given nothing to do but eye each other suspiciously. The actors communicate enough in these retinal stand-offs to keep your interest but the lack of action (and the lack of story) make for a rough start.

The premise is flimsy. Buck, who is planning on leading former slaves West, and the Preacher meet; Buck and the Preacher don't get along; the Preacher considers turning Buck in to the labor recruiters who want to stop him; the Preacher's conscience wins out and soon he's battling bounty hunters with Buck, etc. Poitier and Belafonte have terrific comedic chemistry and Poitier's direction is decent, if unsure, but maybe the best thing about Buck and the Preacher is Benny Carter's untraditional score. Cinematography by Alex Phillips Jr.

DVD Details: The latest entry in Columbia's top-notch Classic Western series, which includes titles such as the James Stewart vehicle, The Man from Laramie, Buck and the Preacher ($24.95) is an easily recommendable DVD. Side A features the well-rendered widescreen version of the film (1.85:1); the detail and saturation level are good. There are a couple of scenes during which the colors look faded, and, particularly towards the end, there was evident grain, but nothing overwhelming. Side B contains the full screen version.

The mono English track is also passable: dialogue, gunshots, and the Benny Carter score are all clear. There is also a Portuguese language track, presented mono. The 2-page insert booklet includes production notes. Special features include talent files, a look at the original theatrical poster, and theatrical trailers for Buck and the Preacher as well as other Columbia releases of the Poitier classics, A Raisin in the Sun, Brother John, and To Sir, With Love. Interactive menus, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean and Thai subtitles, and scene selections round out the supplementary content.

Availability: Buck and the Preacher is available on video and DVD.

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