Back in 1971, when local newspapers wouldn't carry the full title of this film viewers had to call the theatre to get the details. While times may have changed in terms of what is acceptable to print and what isn't, Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song has (alas) dated not one iota in terms of content. The title character, played by director Melvin Van Peebles, is a black man on the run from racist white cops. How he manages to survive the ordeal, and the extremely violent means he uses to get back at his tormentors, resulted in this film receiving an X rating when it first came out. Today it would probably rate a medium "R," but the anger and commitment invested in the project by Van Peebles (who also produced, scored and edited) is still as shocking and startling as it was 25 years ago.