Buck and the Preacher

This ain't Louisiana. Now you walk soft in my town.

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Buck and the Preacher is directed by, and stars, Sidney Poitier. It's written by Ernest Kinoy and Drake Walker and joining Poitier in the cast are Harry Belafonte, Ruby Dee and Cameron Miller. Music is by Benny Carter, with notable contributions from Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, and cinematography is by Alex Phillips Jr.

The Civil War was over and by law the slaves were freed. But when the promise of land and freedom was not honoured, many ex-slaves journeyed out of the land of bondage in search of new frontiers where they could be free at last.

They placed their hopes in the hands of the few wagon masters that knew the territories of...

With their emancipation guaranteed by the Union victory in the American civil war, groups of former slaves are encouraged by the state to head west and develop and cultivate the land. Ex-bluecoat "Buck" (Sidney Poitier) sets himself up as a wagon-master for these would-be emigrants. For a modest fee, he agrees to show them the way and guarantee their safety. Now there are those who don't much like this relocation plan, and the "DeShay" gang are employed by the southern cotton farmers to try to ensure that their erstwhile property never survive the trip. It's one such altercation that sees "Buck" - trying to stay alive - swap horses with a preacher (Harry Belafonte) who just happened to be bathing in a stream nearby. The gang now follow the ...