Why so much hype?

Really Surprised!

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Take-charge Green Beret Gordon Hudson (a bang-up performance by the always reliable Paul Winfield) returns to Harlem after serving a four year tour of duty in Vietnam. Gordon discovers that the neighborhood has been overrun with drugs, prostitution, and other kinds of organized crime. Gordon rounds up three 'Nam vet buddies so they can wipe out the no-count hoodlums who have corrupted the city. Director Ossie Davis, working from a tight and hard-hitting script by Ed Spielman and Howard Friedlander, relates the gripping story at a snappy pace, ably creates and maintains an appropriately harsh and gritty tone, and stages the exciting action-packed climax with real skill and flair. Winfield's strong and commanding presence effortlessly carries the picture; he receives sturdy support from Carl Lee as the amiable Bee Bishop, Tony King as the easygoing Roy Green, and David Downing as the hip Otis Russell. Moreover, there's a neat array of hateful villains: Gilbert Lewis as ruthless kingpin Spanish Henry, Carl Gordon as the slimy and sniveling Luther the Pimp, and Nathan C. Heard as vicious dope pusher Big Pink. Popping up in nifty bits are singer Grace Jones as drug currier Mary and an uncredited Charles McGregor (Fat Freddie in "Superfly") as dope peddler Jim. The outbursts of brutal violence pack a ferocious punch while the grungy Harlem locations add a certain raw authenticity. Victor J. Kemper's slick cinematography makes cool occasional use of split screen and freeze frames. The funky score by Al Elias and Angela Badalamenti hits the get-down groovy-thrilling spot. An excellent urban action winner.

Now in many ways, GORDON'S WAR and the comedy I'M GONNA GIT YOU SUCKA are very, very dissimilar movies. However, if you think about the basic plot, the stories are practically the same. Both feature a soldier coming home to find out someone they love was killed by gangs of pushers. Both then consist of the leading men gathering a group of Vietnam vets to put the hurt on the dealers and eventually kill off "Mr. Big".Now GORDON'S WAR might easily be categorized as a "Blaxploitation Film", but in many ways it defies the genre. Whites aren't really even mentioned in this film and most of the warfare is directed against Black drug dealers, so the anti-White America rhetoric is missing. Plus, the film, while violent and idealizing vigilantism, has a much more positive message than many films of the genre. But of course, for those who love Blaxploitation, rest assured that this one still has a lot of amazing violence, lots of boobs and tough "take no crap from anyone" leading men.In this case, the lead is played by a man not associated with the genre, Paul Winfield. Winfield returns from 'Nam to discover that his wife got hooked on drugs and died. Instead of brooding about it, he vows to clean up the ghetto with the help of his army buddies.The film, while not especially deep, has a lot of action, a fantastic musical score (one of the best of the era) and is entertaining throughout. Well worth viewing.

OK, so this isn't one of the best movies ever made, but it is one of the better Blaxploitation films and is still not very well known.A Vietnam vet returns home to Harlem, to find out his lady died from an overdose. This Heroin problem is not only a problem for him, but dope and pimps are taking over the whole neighborhood. He wants justice, not just for his woman but for his neighborhood and for his people.He gets a group of his buddies from the Nam, and they form a a 4 man task force to push the dealers out of Harlem.This movie is creative and fun, if you don't try to take it too seriously. Fans of the genre will recognize many of the actors in the movie.This team not only tackles the dealers, the attack the infrastructure, and keep on fighting until they get all the way to the top until they get all the way to the top.Paul Winfield presence is strong.This is really more of an crime-action movie than a crime-drama. Car chases, fighting, comedy, and a few slick quotables in it as well.If you like Blaxploitation flicks, you'll want to see this.

I love this one alot I've seen it now about 12 times. Such a great perfomance by the main character .Good gritty Harlem NYC locations and situations.This film really hits home for me ,I grew up on some of those filthy streets .One mans noble mission to rid the neighborhood of this poison called drugs,is the focus of this film .Ozzie we love you ! I only wish this was true life . I would tell anyone to give this a try one evening ,but it seems to be such a rare piece...