Woodyanders Proud black man and small-time criminal Charles Murray (played with fierce intensity by Marlo Monte) does hard time in prison in the wake of being brutalized by vicious corrupt racist cop Harry (a spot-on hateful portrayal by Ben Bigelow). After being released from the joint, Charles utilizes a peculiar means of exacting a harsh revenge on those responsible for his incarceration. Writer/director Jamaa Fanaka vividly captures the raw'n'funky reality of sordid hood life in the mid-1970's, makes nice use of squalid urban locations, relates the offbeat, but still engrossing story at an unhurried pace, and presents a colorful array of seedy low-life characters. Moreover, this film reaches its gloriously surreal highlight with the jaw-dropping scene in which Charles strangles a guy with his elongated penis (!). Reatha Grey adds plenty of spark as sassy hooker Carmen. Stan Kamber also registers well as easygoing police officer Jim. James Babij's rough'n'grainy cinematography gives this picture a strong feeling of grungy verisimilitude. William Anderson's discordant acid jazz score does the groovy trick. Recommended viewing for those seeking something different.

MIDDLEMYATT Don't believe the hype! This film is boring and dull as dirt. I love films of this period/genre, but this one has no redeeming value. If you're simply waiting to see the infamous "prop" -- you're in for a disappointment: it appears (only once!) during the final five minutes of the film, and even then it's non-eventful and (excuse the pun) anti-climactic. The story is poorly conceived, written and executed, and overall the film brings nothing new or fresh to the table for this type of film. Trust me, you've seen it all before in much better films of the period. This dull and dated dud isn't worth your time -- avoid it at all costs! Check out the director's under-rated and almost ignored gem, "Black Sister's Revenge" instead -- it'll surprise you.

ebony1911 DVD release of the Original Blaxploitation Film, which I saw in the theater the day of its releas, is badly edited and cut. There are bleeps. Worse, several of the murders are excised. Xenon Productions can do better. In its original release as Welcome Home, Brother Charles this film was surely the most tasteless film ever made in the history of film-making-----the acme of the Black Phallic Worship begun by Kyle Onstott in his book, Mandingo and culminating in Scott Poulson-Bryant's recently released study, "Hung!" Since the Edits, the film renamed Soul Vengeance has been reduced to being only ONE of the most Tastelessfilms ever produced. Mr Fanaka ought to be ashamed of himself and demand that the original film be re-issued--UNCUT and UNDILUTED. Yours in Blaxploitation films, Ebony Ivory.

FieCrier Somewhat watchable blaxploitation film, though it's pretty bad (and I don't mean BAAD).The movie starts with a shot against a black background of an African-like carving of a man with a disproportionately large penis. It's not seen again in the movie.A drug dealer gets caught by the police and the arresting officer cuts his manhood with a blade. He spends three years in prison, depicted by a black and white photo montage, and short black and white clips.After he's released, nothing of his old life remains. He moves in with a sympathetic hooker who'd witnessed his arrest. He vows revenge on the people who put him in prison.Towards the end, he delivers on that vow. When the wives of his intended victims see his manhood now, they're automatically his to use for sex and to brainwash. He can also cause it to lengthen to several yards long, and use it to strangle men who've done him wrong. It's weird the way the movie springs this on us, without giving us any indication that he knew he had that power.