Original subtitles

(Alarm)

(Mystical Sounds)

Come here

Close the door

Close the door

(Gospel Music)

You ain't at the photographers!

(Wade in the Water)

You ain't gettin yo picture taken

Move!

(God's gonna trouble the water)

(Wade in the water)

Oh!

(I'm gonna let it shine)

(Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine)

(Gospel preaching yells)

(This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine)

(This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine)

Oh God!

(Moaning)

Oh God!

(Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine)

Ooooh son

You gotta sweet, you gotta sweet sweet back!

(funky music)

(Alarm)

Oh!

(gospel music)

Oh God!

Oh Son!

Oh Son!

Sweetback!

(gospel music)

(applauding)

(people laughing)

(woman humming)

(people laughing)

(people laughing)

(people laughing)

- Besides, we're getting a lot of static from the chief

about that stiff that was found yesterday.

You know what I mean?

(people laughing)

(funk music)

- We don't know nothin' about no dead man.

- We know that, but the commissioner doesn't.

We just want to borrow one of your boys

for a couple of hours and take him downtown

to make us look good, official-wise.

- Why me?

I'm short one man already.

George is sick.

- You're our friend.

We knew you'd be willing to lend a hand.

- Hm.

When did you people start getting so interested

in black folks...

Dead or alive?!

- It's progress.

(funk music)

- I can't.

I'm short.

I only got two guys working now...

Donald to explain, Sweetback to train,

and the two of 'em to trounce and bounce.

(funk music)

- [Police officer] We got a nice understanding, Beetle.

- It's mutual.

Everybody profits.

- Let's keep it that way.

(funk music)

(woman screaming)

- I'm the good dyke fairy godmother.

Yes, the good dyke fairy godmother.

Why didn't you know that all good dykes..

Had fairy godmothers?

(people laughing)

And I'm here to answer the prayers of a good dyke.

(people laughing)

Yes, the good dyke fairy godmother.

Didn't you know that all good dykes have fairy godmothers?

(people laughing)

And I'm here to answer the prayers of a good dyke.

Zap, child.

- [Woman] Oh!

(buzzing)

(people murmuring)

(woman screams)

(people applauding)

(funk music)

- Why me?

I'm short-handed as it is.

George is sick.

(funk music)

(people laughing)

- [Woman] Come on baby, Sweetback.

Get it on, girl!

- [Man] Clean on down to the bone!

(man murmuring)

- [Woman] Do it, do it, do it!

You got it, Sweetback!

- [Man] Get to it, brother!

You're cool, Sweetback!

(people murmuring) (funk music)

(people applauding)

(woman moaning)

- Or one of the other boys.

We'll have him back for you before tomorrow noon.

- Ha-ha, now Sweetback here's the greatest!

Absolute greatest!

(people applauding)

Greatest in the world!

(people laughing)

Oh, I know what the hell you're thinking...

Ha!

How many times have I heard that before?

Well, as a special added attraction,

if one of you young ladies would like to step up

and try this gentleman,

I'm sure you will find him more than lively.

(people laughing)

(funk music)

But, uh, that is to say, uh...

However...

You know, this offer is, um...

Only open to, um...

Sisters?!

(people laughing)

- [Police officer] An ounce of prevention...

Is worth a pound of sniff in' around.

- [Beetle] Hey!

- [Man using fairy clothes] That's all, folks.

(people applauding)

- [Beetle] When Sweetback gets dressed,

tell him I want to see him.

(funk music)

(people murmuring)

(people laughing)

(people applauding)

Go with these gentlemen for the evening.

See you tomorrow.

(car honking)

- [Police officer] That's a hell of a show you guys put on!

- [Police officer] We aren't going to use the handcuffs.

- [Police officer] Just like we told Beetle.

Just a little eye-wash.

- [Police officer] Cigarette?

(car engine starts up)

(soul music)

- [Woman on radio] Calling W2, calling W2.

- [Police officer] Read you loud and clear!

- [Woman on radio] Proceed to Unit One.

Crenshaw, Sector Two.

Back up 10, WA,.

Community disturbance, possible 415 developing.

- Step on it!

- [Police officer] Roger!

(siren blaring)

(tires screeching)

- I got the cuffs.

It's just for appearance sake.

We don't want anyone to come around here

and find you just sitting here.

- [Police officer] Don't go away.

(soul music) (people murmuring)

- [Police officer] He must be the ringleader.

- [Police officer] Come on, let's get him out of here

before a crowd forms.

(people murmuring)

(soul music)

(siren blaring)

(tires screeching)

(soul music)

You been stirring up the natives, kid?

(soul music)

Nice night!

- Yeah.

- [Police Officer] Nice night for a drive.

- [Police officer] A little walk, too, maybe.

(soul music)

(machine rumbling)

All right, why don't you step out over here?

Get some fresh air.

That's better.

Look at here.

He doesn't look very tough to me,

does he look tough to you? - Nah!

- [Police officer] He don't look too tough.

(machine rumbling)

- Be careful.

Don't mark his face!

- Oh, no, no, we're not gonna hurt his face.

Al right!

- [Police officer] Why sir, I think he's drunk!

- [Police officer] Stand on your feet!

You're a tough man!

(machine rumbling)

Wait a second.

Hey, Sweetback.

I'm sorry, man.

Forgot you two were attached together.

Let's see if we can't get a little air between you.

(machine rumbling)

There, you step over here.

That's better, isn't it?

Let's see this dude.

You don't look too tough now!

(thudding) (groaning)

(machine rumbling)

Stay home at night, and you wouldn't get into all this...

Trouble, would you?

What's the matter with you, you drunk?

- [Police officer] He looks like a sniper to me!

- [Police officer] Move it!

(machine rumbling)

(groaning)

(repetitive thudding)

(repetitive thudding)

(groaning)

(machine rumbling)

(thudding) (groaning)

(repetitive thudding)

(groaning)

- Thanks, man.

Where we going?

- Where do you get that We shit?

(machine rumbling)

(soul music)

(thudding)

(woman screaming)

(soul music)

(siren blaring)

(soul music)

(siren blaring)

(soul music)

- Sweetback!

Yeah.

Oh, hang loose, baby.

Yeah.

We gotta chop a skoch, you know?

I'm gonna lay it on ya, hm,

Sweetback, baby!

Looking good, yeah!

You looking good.

Yeah, baby (farts), you gonna have to be awful cool.

Because what you do, it'll affect all the rest

of our little ol' employees, and we can't have that

because we got a good operation goin' here.

Being in public relations, a nice little business.

(mumbling)

But you don't have to worry about nothin'.

I'm Beetle.

Me, Beetle, I'm your man.

Everybody got a man.

I'm your man!

It's rough now.

Don't worry about it, baby.

Don't worry about it!

(gurgling)

That makes me feel like a new one, baby.

Can you dig it?

A brand new.

Yeah.

But you know what, man?

Like you gonna have to kinda lay out, you know?

Stretch out a little while, be real cool...

Kinda lay dead!

Ol' Beetle'll let you know what's happenin',

what's goin' down.

You don't have to worry about nothin'.

If you need anything, anything at all...

Brother, just keep the faith in Beetle,

ol' Beatle goin' to bring you through,

because this is just a skirmish, yeah!

You know how the game goes, baby!

But you keep the faith in me and you my man.

You my favorite man!

Can you dig it, baby?

Together, you know?

Maintain!

They can't bother you as long as Beetle's with you.

Now you go on and hibernate like that ol' bear

and don't go nowhere.

Can you dig it?

Yeah?!

Ha!

Mellow!

Go out the back door, now.

Speed along and don't let nobody know where you at.

Let sleeping dogs rest.

Can you dig it, baby?

Ha, ha, yeah!

(bell tolls)

(soul music)

- You were in the car.

- Were you still in the car, Sweetback?

- How many men were in the ambush?

- How'd they work it?

- You know they're still unconscious.

- Come on, they were your friends, too.

- Do you know where Mu-Mu might be?

- We can't figure out what they used to beat them with.

- Erin, give me your coat.

(bell tolls)

(bell tolls)

(rustling)

(phone ringing)

- Hm?

- [Police officer] Sir, I think we discovered the weapon

and one of the assailants.

- Uh-huh? - Mr. Sweetback.

- Yeah?

- I think we have a new development in the case.

- Wash your car, mister?

- I'm not bu yin it, now get away from here!

I'm sorry, sir.

- Proceed.

- He didn't tell us where Mr. Mu-Mu was or anybody else.

- Proceed!

- No charge if you don't like it!

- Yeah, no charge if you don't like it!

- [Police officer] Can't you just move away from the car?!

- Oh, yes, I see.

You have the witness called Sweetback...

And Mr. Sweetback knows the whereabouts of the suspect,

but that Mr. Sweetback has been injured in a fall.

Not too badly, I hope.

- Fell down and bruised himself, sir?

- Can we print that, Commissioner?

- Of course.

I have no secrets from the press.

- [Police officer] I don't...

Sorry, sir, I don't understand.

- Fine!

Fine!

You say the witness has given you the whereabouts

of the suspect?

Too bad the witness has injured himself in a fall!

- Okay.

Right, sir.

- Proceed!

- Well?

- [Police officer] Commissioner says beat the information

out of the nigger before we get him to the station.

(groaning)

(thudding)

(groaning)

(thudding) (groaning)

(repetitive thudding)

(soul music)

- [Police officer] Wait a minute!

Let's take him some place where we can really work on him.

(soul music)

(siren blaring)

(people murmuring)

(woman screams)

(woman screams)

(people murmuring) (soul music)

(siren blaring)

(woman screaming)

(car exploding)

(splashing)

(phone rings)

- [Police officer] Twelve units have been alerted

and a search pattern has been constructed over the area.

Barricades have been set up immediately

adjoining the streets.

All additional units are now on the scene assisting.

All other available units are being deployed

searching the area.

Apprehension, a matter of moments.

Impossible to...

(knocking on door) (soul music)

- You sure are Jive!

And don't tell me you came here looking for Steve.

You know Steve's not here!

He's got two more months to do!

What are you, some kind of Indian giver or something?

You gave me to him.

I knew you'd be back.

What do you want me to do, take them off?

Beg!

- No.

- You too proud to beg?

- No, but you wouldn't take them off if I did.

- You know every Goddamn thing, don't you?

Well, first things first!

(soul music)

(woman moaning)

- [Police officer] Where's Sweetback?!

- [Police officer] Where's Sweetback?

- [Man] I don't know where Sweetback is.

- Where's Sweetback?! - I don't know.

I don't know where Sweetback is.

I don't know where is Sweetback.

- [Police officer] Come on, you can tell us.

- He seems to be hard of hearing.

- No, uh-uh!

- If he don't talk, he's going to be!

Where's Sweetback?!

Where is he?!

- Where's Sweetback?

- I don't know where is Sweetback.

- Where is Sweetback?

- Come on, boy! (gun firing)

Where is he?! - I don't know Sweetback is.

- Come on boy, talk! - Where's Sweetback?

- I don't know where Sweetback is!

- Come on, boy! - Where's Sweetback?

He must be deaf!

- If he isn't, he's going to be.

Where's Sweetback?

- I don't know where he is.

- [Police officer] Where is he?

- I don't know where is Sweetback.

I don't know where Sweetback is.

- Come on!

Where is Sweetback?

- I don't know where is Sweetback.

- Tell me!

Where's he at?

Where is he Sweetback?! - I don't know where he is.

I haven't seen Sweetback.

- Come on, boy. - Sweetback!

- You only got one good ear left, boy.

Do you want to save it?

Do you want to talk?! (gun firing)

(bleeping) (groaning)

This guy is tough.

Both ears are gone...

And he still won't talk!

(bleeping)

- [Woman] Oh, Jesus!

(soul music)

(sobbing)

(soul music)

- [Woman] Oh, Lord!

(soul music)

Oh, Jesus!

(soul music)

(sobbing)

Take him into glory, Lord!

- [Woman] Yes, Lord!

- [Woman] You know his heart.

(soul music)

Oh, Jesus! - He didn't do it!

(women weeping)

Oh, Jesus, (mumbling)!

(soul music)

(sobbing)

- [Man] Black misery!

(women sobbing)

(women chanting)

- [Woman] Jesus, save him Lord!

You know his heart!

You know his heart!

You know my brother's heart, Lord.

Save him!

(women weeping)

Jesus!

- [Man] Brothers and sisters, He is one of us...

Brothers and sisters...

We're here because one of our brothers is in that box.

But he's not dead.

He's alive and with us!

We can't see him.

- [Woman] Jesus!

- [Man] We know he's here.

And I'm glad to tell you today

that though he may be in that box...

- [Woman] Oh, Lord!

- [Man] He's gonna be in heaven with us.

I can see him now!

Good God Almighty, that's our man!

Yes, my children, he is dead-- - Save him, Lord!

- But he is not dead, he is with us here today.

Our brother died here today of an overdose...

An overdose of black misery!

(woman weeping)

Yes, Lord!

(sobbing)

(woman weeping)

We'll bow our head in prayer.

What are you doing here, Sweetback?

They're looking for you.

You're as hot as little sister's twat!

Where you goin'?

- I don't want you to cover for me...

I'm goin' upstairs to the farm.

- To the farm?

You can't hide there!

(woman screaming)

You can't hide there.

They know all about the farm.

Not only yesterday, the unwed mothers...

The girls I get you from upstairs.

The Man knows about everything!

Ain't it strange when we die?

Our folks like to rejoice...

But when it comes to the living, that's it.

The hype I'm la yin' down for them people inside,

it ain't dangerous.

I'm just selling them a little bit of happiness.

You know, from the Happy Land.

We all are gonna die,

so all I want 'em to have IS some peace.

It's my job to make them believe

that they're going to get it better on the other side.

It's my job!

Mu-Mu, the boy you saved, and those other kids,

they're la yin' down the real religion.

They've got it!

(women chanting)

You offer pretty good news to me,

slappin' up on some white cops!

(laughs)

Yes, indeed!

I'm gonna say a black Ave Maria for you.

Like the kids say, "Later for waiting."

You saved a plant that they were planning

to pick in the bud!

That's why the Man's down on you.

That's why the Man's down on you!

I'm still gonna say a black Ave Maria for you.

(women chanting)

- [Radio announcer] Right on we go on KGFJ Soul Radio

with Sandra Z, the newest hit by Earth, Wind and Fire.

(soft instrumental music)

(dog barking)

(sniffing)

- What does a dead man need bread for?

So they was whipping a brother.

How many brothers have you whipped?

How many sisters have you slipped?

Life is tough, baby.

A real struggle, from the womb to the tomb.

Every dollar we make, the guineas get 20,

the police get 40, and Goldberg gets 50.

Anybody can tell you that don't add up to a dollar.

That adds up to a dollar and a dime!

That's why all of us niggers is so far behind.

- [Man] And Africa shall stretch forth her arms!

- Yeah, and bring back a bloody stump!

- Viva Puerto Rico Libre!

(men laugh)

- I haven't forgotten you staked me, Sweetback.

If I had the dough, I would lay it on you,

but I don't have it.

I wouldn't shuffle or shit you, baby.

I wouldn't do it for nothing.

You can't get out of this town on wings, wheels or steel.

I wouldn't shuffle or shit you, brother.

Like I said, what does a dead man need bread for?

- [Station announcer] Albuquerque, Wichita Falls,

ramp seven.

San Diego...

- Just like the railroad station, boss.

Full of pigs!

(soul music)

- Stop!

(traffic humming)

- Mu-Mu, brothers.

- [Man] You the guy who got my buddy in all this trouble?

- Yeah!

(car engine humming)

Where you brothers goin'?

(soul music)

(tires screeching)

(soul music)

(tires screeching)

(soul music)

(tires screeching)

- This is the best that I can do for you

on such a short notice.

(crickets chirping)

Buy yourself a last supper.

You're a dead man!

(car engine roaring)

(tires screeching)

(crickets chirping)

(rustling)

(motorbike engine roaring)

- What have we here?!

- [Man] Well, looks like we have a couple of, uh...

Private trespassers, and you just trespassed

on private property!

- [Man] And that's a no no!

Let's stomp 'em, man.

Let's stomp 'em!

Let's stomp 'em!

- [Man] They got to pay, man, they got to pay!

- [Man] Hey, Doug, give 'em a chance, man,

this is a democracy!

(men murmuring)

Look at this, look what he brought me!

(men murmuring)

- You ought to save him! - Yeah!

- [Man] Save him for something even heavier than you.

- [Man] For what?

- [Man] Something sporty.

- Like what? - Sporty?

- [Man] Well, how about a duel?

- A duel? - A duel?

Sounds out of sight to me!

- [Man] Yeah, like the good old days!

- The good old days. - Me!

Me and Hairnet!

- [Man] No, no, no, no.

(laughing)

Got to throw him back!

He's too little!

- [Man] That's the one!

- [Man] Yeah, right on!

I think we should have a good...

Something, we could really lay on something good to him.

- All right!

The Prez!

- [Man] Yeah, the Prez!

(men murmuring)

- Yeah, you're gonna get it!

The Prez gonna come for you.

That's when you and the Prez are gonna (whistles) duel!

(thudding) Right on!

(motorbike engines roaring)

(people murmuring)

Hey, Prez, we got news for you!

Hey, we got work for you!

We gotta guy here for you to duel.

Your fight, man...

What's it gonna be?!

Wrestling?

(people murmuring)

(man whistling)

(people cheering)

Hey, how about knives?

(man laughing)

Yo, baby, who knows?

Come on man, your choice.

What's it gonna' be?

Huh?

What's it gonna be, man?

Come on, man.

Come on, baby, what's it gonna be, huh?

What's it gonna be?!

It's your choice, baby!

- Fucking!

(people laughing)

(people cheering)

- Shut up!

(people cheering)

(motorbike engines roaring)

(people cheering)

Well?

Well?

Well?

Well?

Well?

- [Man] All right.

(people cheering)

Come on!

(people murmuring)

- [Man] Bet Sambo's so scared he can't even get it on.

(people murmuring)

- [Woman] After the Prez does you in, then we'll do you in!

- [Man] Yeah!

(laughing)

(people murmuring)

- [Man] Ball him in the bad health, Prez!

- [Man] Come on, do it to him, Prez.

Get it on.

- [Man] Get it, Prez, get it!

- Get it on! - Come on!

(people murmuring)

(people cheering)

(woman screaming)

- [Woman] Sweetback!

(woman screaming)

Sweetback!

Yeah, Sweetback!

(woman screaming)

Sweetback!

(woman laughs)

- [Man] Shit!

(motorbike engine starting up)

(motorbikes engine roaring)

(soul music)

(motorbike engines roaring)

- [Man] You'll be cool here.

- [Man] We'll fix you up with help in the morning.

- [Man] Nobody'll bother you here.

- [Man] Have a good time.

Come on, let's get the fuck out of here, come on!

(man laughs)

- [Man] No danger here.

- [Man] Did they get 'em on the phone?

- [Man] Yeah, how long will it take?

(motorbike engines humming)

(soul music)

(thudding)

- [Police officer] Away, Sweetback!

(thudding)

(gun firing)

(groaning)

(glass crashing)

(dramatic music)

(groaning)

(dog barking)

(soul music)

(groaning)

(door creaks)

(lamp creaking)

- Big Sadie, the Prez, heard her guys planning this cross...

So she called us.

Look here, I can only take one of you.

I won't get 10 feet with three people on this bike.

Now, they told me to pick up Sweetback.

You Sweetback, ain't you?

(crickets chirping)

- Take him.

- You know what you're doin', man?

- He's our future, Bra

Take him.

(crickets chirping)

(motorbike engine roaring)

- [Man] Yeah, take these straps here.

(crickets chirping)

- Sweetback...

(motorbike engine roaring)

(soul music)

♪ Come on feet ♪

♪ Cruise for me ♪

♪ Trouble ain't no place to be ♪

♪ Come on feet ♪

♪ Do your thing ♪

♪ Come on feet ♪

♪ Do your thing ♪

♪ You all know Whitey's game ♪

♪ Come on legs ♪

♪ Come on, run! ♪

♪ Come on legs ♪

♪ Come on, run ♪

♪ Guilty's what he say you done ♪

♪ Come on knees ♪

♪ Don't be mean ♪

♪ Come on knees ♪

♪ Don't be mean ♪

♪ Ain't first red you ever seen? ♪

♪ Come on feet ♪

♪ Do your thing ♪

♪ Come on, baby ♪

♪ Don't cop out on me ♪

♪ Come on, baby ♪

♪ Don't give in on me ♪

♪ Come on feet ♪

♪ Cruise for me ♪

♪ Come on legs ♪

♪ Come on, run ♪

♪ Come on feet ♪

♪ Do your thing ♪

♪ Who put the bad mouth on me? ♪

♪ Anyway the way I pick em up ♪

♪ And put em down ♪

♪ Even if it got it ♪

♪ Got my name on it ♪

♪ Won't catch me now ♪

- I want them!

I want them, do you hear?!

And I want them now!

God, there could be an uprising on our hands.

Cop killers and niggers to boot!

No patrol will be safe in their area.

That's all.

Hey, Rosie, Bill, just a minute.

Ah, look, you guys, I didn't mean any offense by uh...

By the word I used.

It was just a...

Just a figure of speaking, you understand?

You know, you guys could be a real credit to your people

if you brought those guys in.

Okay?

(soul music)

♪ Bet he broke the Olympic 220 ♪

♪ Or cross country ♪

♪ Or something ♪

♪ Sure he's lonely ♪

♪ Sure most quietest turf I ever seen ♪

♪ What happened to the sun? ♪

♪ Sure gone away ♪

♪ Sure blacker than a landlord's soul ♪

♪ Must have run all day ♪

♪ Yeah, must have run all day ♪

♪ Sure I am a bitch ♪

♪ Must have run all day ♪

♪ Sure, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah, baby ♪

♪ Come on feet ♪

♪ Cruise for me ♪

♪ Come on feet ♪

♪ Come on, run ♪

♪ Come on legs ♪

♪ Come on, run ♪

♪ Come on feet

(woman screaming) ♪ Do your thing ♪

(woman screaming) ♪ Come on feet ♪

♪ Do your thing ♪

(soul music)

(thudding)

(thudding)

(repetitive thudding)

(glass crashing)

(panting)

- [Police officer] That's not him!

(groaning)

- [Police officer] So what?

♪ Come on feet ♪

♪ Cruise for me ♪

♪ Come on feet ♪

♪ Come on, run ♪

(siren blaring)

♪ Come on legs ♪

♪ Come on, run ♪

♪ Come on feet ♪

♪ Do your thing ♪

♪ Come on feet ♪

♪ Do your thing ♪

(soul music)

(glass crashing)

(soul music)

(gun firing)

- [Man] Bingo, we got him!

- If things change, the majority

of the people will decide where and when.

This is a democracy, it's not communism.

And we're all going to respect the law

or pay the consequences.

As a citizen, you are required by law

to aid us in this identification.

Is this Sweetback's body?

- I ain't learned to read lips yet.

- He lost his hearing.

He ain't able to read lips yet.

- Yeah.

(soul music)

(train honking)

- I told you one time I ain't seen Sweetback.

Never heard of him.

What else did he go by?

(soul music)

- I'm positive, I've never seen him.

(soul music)

- Huh?

Yeah.

Thank you.

(soul music)

(tires screeching)

- I've been looking for him myself.

- I don't know nothing about no Sweetback.

(soul music)

(man mumbles)

- I ain't saw Sweetback!

(dog barking)

(soul music)

- I haven't seen him.

(soul music)

(siren blaring)

- I just keep kids for the county

and make things for the old people...

Like this.

Isn't that pretty?

(soul music)

Ain't they pretty?

But when the kids get so grown and so bad...

It takes them away from me.

I might have had a Leroy once,

but I don't rightly remember.

They get so bad and so grown...

I might have had a Leroy once, but I don't rightly remember.

Make these things for older people

and these kids for the county.

It just takes 'em away from me.

I might have had a Leroy once, but I can't rightly remember.

And when the kids get bad and older,

they usually take them away from me.

I might have had a Leroy, but I don't rightly remember.

When the kids get older and bad,

they usually take them away from me.

I might have had a Leroy.

When the kids get older and bad,

they usually take them away from me.

Just takes 'em away from me.

I might have had a Leroy, but I can't rightly remember.

(soul music)

(gun firing) (thudding)

- Fuck!

- No!

Other people I don't give a damn about.

I don't know nobody but my own Goddamn self.

(soul music)

- No, I haven't seen Sweetback.

I haven't seen him in a long time.

Look, I don't, I don't see the cat.

If I never see him, it won't be too soon

for me, you understand?

You understand, man?

I haven't seen the cat and I don't want to see him.

You just keep leaning and leaning and leaning!

Get the fuck off of my back, man!

I'm, I'm clean, man!

Look, I'm clean!

There's nothing there!

Look, look!

When I get pissed off, man,

I will throw a natural-born nigger fit on you, understand?

So why don't you leave?!

Why don't you leave?!

I am clean.

Look, nothing, nothing.

No place, man, I'm clean.

So stop leaning on me.

I ain't on the street no more, understand?

I ain't in the trade no more.

I just want to be left alone, baby.

So, don't push me!

You're pushing my button, baby!

You're pushing my button!

Leave!

Split!

Leave, motherfucker!

Sweetback, man, shit!

(laughing)

(soul music)

♪ I love you ♪

♪ I love you ♪

♪ I love you ♪

- Fuck the reporters!

I know they're out there!

Now look...

This guy's got one chance.

Right here.

Now let's get him!

(soul music)

- No.

No, I haven't seen him.

Sweetback?

Never heard of him.

I haven't, I haven't seen him.

Getting by, that's my main concern.

(siren blaring)

Thank you, but I haven't seen him.

(soul music)

- [Man] I haven't seen him.

♪ They bled your Mama ♪

♪ They bled your Papa ♪

♪ But they won't bleed me ♪

♪ Niggers scared and pretend they don't see ♪

♪ Just like you, Sweetback ♪

♪ Just like I used to be ♪

♪ Work your black behind to the gums

♪ And you supposed to Thomas til he done g

♪ You got to Thomas, Sweetback ♪

♪ They bled your brother ♪

♪ They bled your sister ♪

♪ But he won't bleed me ♪

(soul music)

(helicopter humming)

(soul music)

(car engine humming)

(helicopter humming)

(soul music)

(helicopter humming)

- All right, now why'd you run?

- Why'd I run? - Uh-huh.

- I ran because I gave my word I'd run.

- [Police officer] Gave what word?

- I promised to run.

- [Police officer] You promised who?

What?

- This guy gave me five dollars to change duds with him...

Told me if anybody come after me just, uh, keep on running.

- Was he a black guy?

- Yeah, he's colored.

- [Police officer] What'd he look like?

- Like a buddy I used to pal around with back in Denver.

- [Police officer] Now would you say he was about this tall?

Around this size?

- Yeah, about like that, yeah.

- [Police officer] What was he doing?

- [Man] Poorly.

- [Police officer] You mean how he was doing.

- [Man] Yeah, poorly.

(chanting)

♪ Progress, Sweetback ♪

♪ That's what He wants you to believe ♪

♪ No ♪

♪ Progress, Sweetback ♪

♪ He ain't stopped clubbing us for 400 years ♪

♪ And he don't intend to for a million ♪

♪ He sure treat us bad, Sweetback ♪

♪ We can make him do us better ♪

♪ Chicken ain't nothing but a bird

♪ White man ain't nothing but a turd ♪

♪ Nigger ain't shit ♪

♪ God's gonna trouble the water ♪

♪ Wade in the water ♪

♪ Wade in the water, children ♪

♪ Get my hand on a trigger ♪

♪ You talking revolution, Sweetback ♪

♪ I want to get off these knees ♪

♪ You talking revolution, Sweetback ♪

♪ Somebody listen to me ♪

♪ If he can't burn you out, he'll stomp you out ♪

♪ He won't waste me ♪

♪ Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine ♪

♪ He bopped your Mama ♪

♪ He bopped your Papa ♪

♪ But he won't waste me ♪

♪ You can't make it on wings, wheels or steel, Sweetback &

♪ We got feet ♪

♪ You can't get away on wings, wheels or steel, Sweetback ♪

♪ Nigger's got feet ♪

♪ They bled your brother ♪

♪ They bled your sister ♪

(wind howling)

♪ Your brother and your sister too ♪

♪ How come it took me so long to see? ♪

♪ How he gets us to use each other? ♪

♪ Nigger's scared ♪

♪ We got to get it together ♪

♪ If he kick a brother ♪

♪ It gotta be like he's kicking your mother ♪

♪ He got your brother ♪

♪ Don't let him get you ♪

♪ Haul your black ass, Sweetback ♪

♪ He ain't gonna let you stand tall, Sweetback ♪

♪ The Man knows everything, Sweetback ♪

♪ The Man knows everything ♪

♪ Then he oughta know I'm tired of him fucking with me ♪

♪ Right on, brother ♪

♪ Right on, brother ♪

(dogs barking)

♪ Run, Sweetback ♪

♪ Run, motherfucker ♪

♪ They bled your sister ♪

♪ They won't bleed me ♪

♪ Run, Sweetback ♪

♪ Run, motherfucker ♪

(truck engine humming)

(radio announcer murmuring)

(car engine humming)

(percussive music)

(soul music)

(men speaking in Spanish)

(percussive music)

(knocking on window)

(truck engine humming)

(men speaking in Spanish)

(dramatic music)

(train rumbling)

(train honking)

(chanting)

(train rumbling)

(chanting)

- No child, I mean, officer...

I didn't see a Mr. Sweetback.

- If you see him, send him here.

- I'm a militant queen!

- Won't I do, officer?

(chuckling)

(slurping)

(wind howling)

(chimes ringing)

(wind howling)

(chimes ringing)

(dramatic music)

- [Sweetback's inner voice] "Anybody can tell you

"that don't add up to a dollar,

"that adds up to a dollar and a dime!"

"Come on, stand up straight, what's the matter with you?"

"Buy yourself a last supper, you're a dead man!”

"Your fight, man, what's it gonna be?

"Your choice, baby!"

(plane humming)

(dramatic music)

(clicking)

(chiming music)

♪ They bled my sister ♪

♪ They bled my brother ♪

(soul music)

(percussive music)

- I swear I saw Sweetback.

- Where?

(people applauding)

(percussive music)

♪ Here before ♪

(people applauding)

♪ On your own ♪

(percussive music)

♪ All night ♪

(percussive music)

- [Man] You saw him?

- Over there in that clump of bushes.

- [Man] You sure it's him?

- If it ain't Sweetback,

why'd he go in the wrong direction?

(laughing)

No wonder he was going the wrong way.

(laughing)

- [Police officer] Hey!

(whistling)

(laughing)

(percussive music)

(helicopter humming)

(percussive music)

(car engine humming)

(rattling)

(car engine humming)

(soul music)

(dogs barking)

(banging on door)

(dogs barking)

(percussive music)

- Bark.

(dramatic music)

(percussive music)

(dogs barking)

- [Man] He's heading for the border!

(dogs barking)

♪ Let it shine ♪

♪ Let it shine ♪

♪ Let it shine ♪

He's going to get there before we do!

(dogs barking)

He's gonna get across the border before we can catch him!

(dogs barking)

He's gonna get there before we do!

- [Man] Goddamn dogs!

(dogs barking)

- [Man] Dogs moving faster than we are!

- [Man] Just let me draw a bead on his black ass...

And he's dead!

- [Man] He's further ahead than that!

(dogs barking)

- [Man] Just one Goddamn glimpse

of his black ass and he's dead!

(dogs barking)

- He's gonna make it! - Let the dogs go!

- No, I won't do it! - Let the dogs go!

- [Man] I can't do it, I won't!

- [Man] Goddamn it!

(dogs barking)

Do it!

(men murmuring) (dogs barking)

Let the dogs go!

- [Man] I won't do it!

- [Man] Turn loose of those dogs!

(chanting)

♪ They bled your mother ♪

♪ They bled your brother ♪

- Sorry.

No hard feelings, I just had to catch him.

- Well, what's done is done.

I guess it'll save the taxpayers some money.

(laughing)

- Listen!

No barking.

- Yep.

Well, I guess there's no sense

of you hanging around here, Rinny.

No use in you missing the fun, Rinny.

You go get in on it.

Go on, boy!

(dog barking)

(dog grunting)

(dog barking)

(rustling)

(birds chirping)

(water purling)

(dramatic music) (water purling)

(gun firing)

(dramatic music)

(sirens blaring)

(dramatic music)