The story of Fred Hampton, Chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party, and his fateful betrayal by FBI informant William O’Neal.
Pam says:
“Judas and the Black Messiah,” starring Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield, and directed by Shaka King, takes us back to the oppressively dangerous city of Chicago in 1969 where a petty criminal is flipped to be an informant for the FBI, resulting in the death of an upcoming leader, Fred Hampton (Kaluuya) of the Chicago Black Panther Party.
Based on a true story, co-writers Will Berson and Shaka King take riveting testimony, transcripts, and first-hand interviews to recreate the events that occurred during that pivotal year. The story carefully weaves together three different perspectives to give us the complete picture of how Fred Hampton was assassinated at the age of 21; such a threat to the FBI for being the next Black leader or as he was coined, the next Black Messiah.
To read the review in its entirety, go to http://reelhonestreviews.com/judas-and-the-black-messiah-riveting-story-and-performances/
3 1/2 Stars
Chuck says:
Tragic and incendiary, Shak King’s Judas and the Black Messiah tells the story of Civil Rights leader Fred Hampton and Bill O’Neal, the man that betrayed and helped up set up the 21-year old’s assassination. Gripping from the start, this is vital history that’s not taught in school, a story of racism, abuse and hope that is tragically as timely now as it was in the late 1960’s. Well-acted and directed, this is necessary viewing and will be in the conversation come awards season.
3 1/2 Stars
