NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Code Red Blu-ray (December 2020): Code Red have transferred Lee Frost's The Black Gestapo to Blu-ray. It is in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio and is cited as being from a "2015 2K Master From the Original Camera Negative". It looks pretty good actually. Nice grain, rich colors, some infrequent damage (see sample below) but I enjoyed this, as I did the last Blaxploitation flic I covered Trick, Baby. The Black Gestapo is mid-70's - deep in the heart of the genre. It had been around in SD format culled from a variety of weak sources - so this is a notable step forward in regards to the vastly improved image. I think this is the same Blu-ray release from a few years ago that was only available on Code Red's website or small e-tailors. 

NOTE: We have added 47 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Code Red use a DTS-HD Master dual-mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. Like the video- this is also very adept with consistency and clear dialogue exporting some minor depth via the score by Allan Alper (Superchick, Wild Riders, Caged Men, The Bang Bang Gang etc.) with some African drum sampling and stock music used in Caged Men. Code Red do not offer subtitles on their Region FREE Blu-ray.

The Code Red Blu-ray offers an audio commentary with stars Charles Robinson and Rod Perry hosted by Bill Olson. They discuss some of the history of the production - or what they recall - similarities to Ivan Dixon's 1973 The Spook Who Sat by the Door, the poor choreography of the fight sequences, Lee Frost having a part in the film (because 'he was so cheap'), pretty Angela Brent and that this was her only film role, etc. Bill Olson comments to Charlie that it must have been quite different from working with John Huston - of which Charlie tells him that he never worked with John Huston. So it's like that - some gaps - and I can appreciate the less-prepared, honest remarks. There are about 1/2 hours worth of interviews with Robinson, Perry and Charles Howerton (who played 'Joe' in The Black Gestapo) - frank and off-the-cuff - just the way you would want them. There is also a theatrical trailer.

The Black Gestapo is a prime example of the Blaxploitation genre. Low production values focusing on urban black survival with crime as central to the plot. There is an obvious Nazisploitation cross-over attempt in The Black Gestapo with a few posterized black and white shots of Hitler and storm troopers (as in the title sequence.) It's all very indicative of the genre - some graphic, harsh, violence, nudity and conflicts with jive turkeys as they battle the oppressive system. Despite being 'all over the place' in terms of the plot, I am really gaining an appreciation for these - the more I see of them. Baaaad cinema like this has a very appealing historical context. The Code Red Blu-ray is definitely recommended either for fans of the genre - or for new suckers to dive-in.

Gary Tooze