Regular Price $9.99

Starring: Hari Rhodes,  Alex Rocco,  Vonetta McGee,  Ella Edwards,  Scatman Crothers, 
Directed By: Arthur Marks, 
Rated: R (Restricted)
Release Date: 1973
Studio: Miramax
Format: Closed-captioned,  Color,  DVD-Video,  NTSC, 

Editorial Reviews and DVD Information about Detroit 9000

Amazon.com
This snappy, cynical cop thriller was marketed as a "blaxploitation" film when released in 1973, but it's really a mixed-cast godson of The French Connection and The Seven Ups set in the racially volatile cauldron of 1970s Detroit. Alex Rocco (Moe Green from The Godfather) stars as a veteran detective on the Detroit police force, a sinus-infected loner who's bitter from constantly being passed over for promotion. Assigned to a political powder keg--the high-profile heist of a black gubernatorial candidate's big money fundraiser--he's paired up with an educated, smart-dressing black hotshot (Hari Rhodes), a fast-rising star in the department. These guys are no Lethal Weapon act; they may earn a grudging mutual respect but never really like or trust one another. The climactic 25-minute chase is edgy and lean and very violent, spiced with big bloody gunshot wounds and victims writhing in tortured death spasms, and the film concludes on an unusually satisfying note of ambiguity and cynicism. Marks went on to direct Friday Foster and J.D.'s Revenge. The title, by the way, refers to the police code for "officer in trouble." Virtually unseen since its premiere, it was rescued by Quentin Tarantino's Rolling Thunder label for a brief theatrical revival and subsequent video release. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews for Detroit 9000

Urban Crackdown
Tough, gritty crime drama; finally gave Hari Rhodes a shot at starring role (remember him as the early on drug pusher in "Sharkey's Machine?). One of the better flix from the so-called blaxplotation era.Detroit 9000

Motown '70's gangsta scene
Probably never gonna be a famous "must see" type movie, but a whale of an entertaining piece this is! We rarely get to see the Motor City in the distinction as the prime locale for a major film, but this proves to be a notable and entertaining exception. No real Hollywood high profile stars here: Alex Rocco, Vonetta McGee and Hari Rhodes are the headliners closest to that category. Nonetheless, it is a fast paced tour-de-force of Police corruption and Black Power machinations in an era of nascent political upheaval. Add to that a cleverly conceived and executed heist scene and you have the makings of a very absorbing melodrama.

What I appreciate about this movie in particular is its cut-to-the-chase and tell-it-like-it-is dialog, eschewing all the fancy Hollywood glamour patter in favor of real life good and bad guys (can you tell the difference?) just trying to take care of business. The story line is fast paced, well thought out and executed. The aforementioned principals each do his/her part to carry out the demands of that story line. The not-so-famous supporting actors come across very well also, adding a distinct Detroit flavor to the production. Also, check out the ending: what do you think?
If you get a chance, add it to your video collection.

Detroit 9000

Racism, Muder, Politics, Detroit Style.
This crime drama/mystery is set in a post-riot Detroit, and touches on many issues that Motown has yet to resolve.

First we have an elegant, well scripted political fundraiser for the potential first black governor of Michigan. This event is held at the still open Book-Caddilac Hotel, and you will see a number of Detroit landmarks in this film that were still in use at this time (1973), and today they are either gone (Union Depot, JL Hudson), or remaining as a ruin (Caddilac Hotel).
The event is robbed and the first charge made is that if this was a "white" event there would have been a better police pressance to protect it. That about sets the tone for this movie.............

A veteran white detective, gets paired with a younger, black rising star to solve the crime. In the interim we are shown the world of lingering racism, black on black exploitation, and the ever corupt world of politcs no matter what race the politicians are, and the politics of religon (no that is far from a new concept).

This movie is VERY graphic in the chase scene (most of it filmed on the approach trackage to the then already closed Union Depot), and the business side sex is featured as well.

A very well done film (rescued by Quentin Taratino) that is far above the "Blacksploitation" film genre of the 1970's. A strong soundtrack adds the perfect background for many of the scenes, and the group of singers at the hotel, after the bobbery add a touch of the macrabe to the aftermath.

.and Detroit continues to grapple with these issues today.
on Fort Street).

Detroit 9000

BORING!!!!
This movie starts out alright, with some good chase scenes and a few shoot-outs, but then it just becomes incredibly boring. Detroit 9000 becomes so slow paced, that it will put you to sleep.

SNOR-FEST.....ZZZZZzzzzzzzzzDetroit 9000

Better than your expectations
This movie is truly more than a standard exploitation flick (not that there's anything wrong with that). Sure, there's some stilted acting and neon orange blood, but beyond that there's a pretty darn good story, and some of the best location shots of Detroit next to "8 Mile". The plot twists will actually surprise you, and the amount of locations will make you wonder how they got enough money to pull this off. "Detroit 9000" is the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" of Blaxploitation, in that it goes beyond the genre but still keeps the mainstays intact. Highly recommended, although I wish the dvd had more (any) special features. Epic.Detroit 9000