Super Fly T.N.T.
| Super Fly T.N.T. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Ron O'Neal |
| Produced by | Sig Shore[1] |
| Written by |
Phillip Fenty Alex Haley |
| Story by |
Ron O'Neal Sig Shore |
| Starring |
Ron O'Neal Roscoe Lee Browne Robert Guillaume |
| Music by | Osibisa |
| Cinematography |
Robert Gaffney James Signorelli |
| Edited by | Bob Brady |
Production company |
Superfly Ltd. |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Box office | $1,200,000 (US/ Canada rentals)[2] |
Super Fly T.N.T. is a 1973 film directed, starring, and co-written by Ron O'Neal. O'Neal reprises his role of Youngblood Priest from the smash hit blaxploitation film Super Fly.[3] The film was released on VHS in 1998, but it has not been released on DVD. It was shot in Rome, Italy and other locations. The cast includes Robert Guillaume, who later became famous as Benson on the TV show of the same name.
Synopsis
Priest (O'Neal) has retired from his former life as a cocaine hustler back in the streets of New York and now living comfortably in Rome, Italy with his lover Georgia (Frazier). Through a mutual associate with whom he plays cards, he comes into contact with Dr. Lamine Sonko (Browne) a native of a small African country. Dr. Sonko is a revolutionary living in Rome also and would like Priest to assist him with supplying guns for his fellow countrymen to defeat colonialism in his country. Priest is not interested at first but Dr. Sonko, having learned some things of his background, presses upon him he has an obligation to help African people. Having time to think and perhaps feeling a sense of guilt for his cocaine hustling days, Priest decides to visit Africa to see things for himself against the wishes of Georgia. Returning to Rome from his visit, he decides to assist Dr. Sonoko. He is able to acquire the guns needed by winning at cards against an regular associate. Dr. Sonko needs him to get the guns into his country without detection, which Priest agrees to do. While arriving in the small fictional African nation, Priest is captured and detained by a few European officials representing the government. The officials suspect gun smuggling, but do not find any evidence when searching the wooden crates delivered. They question Priest on the whereabouts of the guns without getting answers, which leads them to beat and lock him in a dark room. Priest cleverly rigs an electric light switch in the room to kill one of the officials who guard him and ambushes a second to escape capture. Beaten and exhausted, he exits the dark room similar to a slave dungeon while entering the daylight of outside as the Muslim call to prayer echoes all around. Priest has now fulfilled a certain sense of personal responsibility, and seems to be absolved from his past life. He returns to Rome and to Georgia as they embrace and walk away together in arms.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Ron O'Neal | Youngblood Priest |
| Roscoe Lee Browne | Dr. Lamine Sonko |
| Sheila Frazier | Georgia |
| Robert Guillaume | Jordan Gaines |
| Jacques Sernas | Matty Smith |
| William Berger | Lefebre |
| Roy Bosier | Daggett |
| Silvio Noto | George, Restaurant Proprietor |
| Olga Bisera | Lisa |
Soundtrack
| Super Fly T.N.T. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Soundtrack album by Osibisa | ||||
| Released | September 24, 1973 | |||
| Recorded | April 1973 | |||
| Genre | British Afro-pop | |||
| Length | 53:57 | |||
| Label | Red Steel Music | |||
| Producer | Peter Gallen | |||
| Osibisa chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   link |
The soundtrack was done by Ghanaian band Osibisa and charted at #159 on the Billboard charts and #41 on R&B albums.[4][5] It has been re-issued on CD in 1995.[6]
Track listing
All songs arranged, performed and composed by Osibisa.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "T.N.T." | 6:51 |
| 2. | "Superfly Man" | 3:56 |
| 3. | "Prophets" | 5:25 |
| 4. | "The Vicarage" | 3:32 |
| 5. | "Oye Mama" | 3:26 |
| 6. | "Brotherhood" | 4:12 |
| 7. | "Come Closer (If You're A Man)" | 5:23 |
| 8. | "Kelele" | 5:37 |
| 9. | "La Ila La La" | 7:35 |
| Total length: | 53:57 | |
Musicians
Teddy Osei, from Ghana; - tenor sax, flute, African drums & vocals
Sol Amarfio, from Ghana; - drums
Mac Tontoh, from Ghana; - trumpet, flugel horn, kabasa
Jean Mandengue, from the French Cameroons; – bass guitar, percussion, vocals
Gordon Hunte, from Guyana; - lead guitar & vocals
Robert Bailey, from Trinidad; - organ, piano, timbales
Kofi Ayivor, from Ghana; - congas, African drums, percussion, vocals
Additional brass arrangements by Mike Gibbs
All information taken from the album back cover
See also
References
- ↑ Cavanaugh, Jack (2006-08-25). "Sig Shore, 87, Producer of 'Superfly'". The New York Times. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
- ↑ "Big Rental Films of 1973", Variety, 9 January 1974 p 60
- ↑ McLellan, Dennis (2004-01-16). "Ron O'Neal, 66; Star of Blaxploitation Hit 'Superfly'". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-01-29.
- ↑ "Osibisa's Biography". Last.fm. 2008-11-21. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
- ↑ "Super Fly TNT > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums". allmusic. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
- ↑ "Red Steel Music". Red Steel Music. Retrieved 2016-07-15.