We’re back to blaxploitation today. We screened the Fred Williamson actioner That Man Bolt last night, and you see its poster above with Fred in dual mode—in a tuxedo, and in a martial arts gi. Range, baby. Our range runs from t-shirts and shorts to t-shirts and jeans, but with good accessories. Williamson plays Jefferson Bolt, an ex-Special Forces captain-turned-industry best international courier, who’s strongarmed into carrying a million dollars from Hong Kong to Mexico City via Los Angeles.
Naturally, the moment he sets off people are trying to relieve him of the money, which he carries in a briefcase chained to his wrist. These aren’t ordinary thieves. It doesn’t take Williamson long to figure out that he’s being double-crossed. At first he thinks the million dollars is counterfeit, but he won’t know for sure what’s happening until after using fists, feet, and whatever happens to be handy to defeat the villains and get to the center of the plot.
There are several attractions to That Man Bolt. The most important is its ample budget. Location shooting took place not only in Hong Kong and Los Angeles, but Las Vegas, where Bolt is forced to make a detour. Another notable aspect is the film’s wide canvas and spy movie feel. Even more value is added by co-stars Teresa Graves and Miko Mayama, playing Bolt’s serial love interests. And lastly, there’s fair to decent action on land and water, including an extensive car chase that’s better than the usual fare.
You get the feeling Bolt was to be a recurring character, though it never happened. Even so, as blaxploitation movies go, That Man Bolt is a cut above. It has scope, good direction, humor that works, decent acting in parts, and a main character you can appreciate, mostly due to Williamson being a good screen presence. While many blaxploitation movies come bearing social commentary—which we consider indispensable to the form—Bolt mostly avoids it. That works out fine in this case, but let’s not make a habit of it. That Man Bolt premiered in the U.S. today in 1973.
