"It's all the man will give us" is the explanation why Priest (Super Fly) and his friends deal coke instead of work honest jobs. While it certainly is understandable having that attitude and antipathy towards White America and cops (particularly in 1972),this movie presents a very dangerous message to 70s Black America. The "get rich by dealing drugs" message is amazingly irresponsible and far different from other so-called "blaxploitation" films as COFFEY and FOXY BROWN, which had a very anti-drug message.

Here, the protagonist is a rather unlikable drug pusher, but I could see how teens might be attracted to him and his lifestyle. Drugs, excitement and VERY hot ladies--in many ways Priest seems to have it all. When he wants to get out of the business, he feels this way NOT because of all the people he's hurting, but because he wisely understands he won't survive much longer. This selfish motivation definitely keeps him from being a hero--had he realized the harm he was doing, then this MIGHT have been an interesting character.

Despite this ugly message and some occasionally weak film making (with too many music video montages and poor construction),the film has a certain gritty likability. I think most of this is due to the great atmosphere that is established by Curtis Mayfield's amazing score. It really fits the film and tells a story with its frank words. In fact, I don't think Ron O'Neal is the true star of the film but the ever-present but unseen Mayfield.

By the way, this is a rather erotic film--with a semi-graphic but sexually charged love scene. This and the anti-hero message make this an exceptionally BAD film for kids!

Life is rough. Drug dealer Priest (Ron O'Neal) decides to get out of the game after one final big score. He's looking to do a million dollar deal with his partner Eddie.

What a car! What a song! This is a relatively simple blaxploitation movie. Ron O'Neal is a functional lead. The production is what's expected. Most of all, the title is cool, the song is cool, and that's half the battle.

Super Fly is a low budget seminal blaxploitation film. It is also rather amateurish and uneven. The movie is helped by a funky soundtrack from Curtis Mayfield as well as a virile and swaggering performance from Ron O'Neal.

O'Neal plays Youngblood Priest, decked out like a pimp and drives a fancy cadillac but he does not seem to get stopped by the police too much. Priest is a cocaine dealer, he wears a crucifix which he uses to snort some coke for himself.

Priest is smart enough to know that the time has come to get out but this is not an industry you can leave easily. He plans to make one big coke deal and run away with the money for good. However getting out is not so easy when the police are hot on your trail.

The film is grittily shot in the streets of Harlem. The cops are crooked and Priest just wants to survive, luckily he has a plan. He is no hero, he cares only for himself but he is clever and ruthless. When one man cannot pay for the drugs, he tells him point blank to go out and deal or send his wife out to whore row.