Black Dynamite

Black Dynamite (2009)

Black Dynamite is a 2009 spoof/homage/pastiche of the blaxploitation films of the 1970's directed by Scott Sanders and written by Sanders, lead actor Michael Jai White, and co-star Byron Minns. The film stars Michael Jai White and Salli Richardson, and co-stars Mykelti Williamson, Tommy Davidson and Phil Morris, with appearances by notable names like Arsenio Hall, Tucker Smallwood, Bokeem Woodbine and John Salley. The film was very low budget, for both practical reasons and as part of a tribute to classic blaxploitation movies which were also very low budget. While other "retro" productions might have reproduced the look of a 1970's film digitally, the producers of Black Dynamite chose to use 16mm film and sound equipment from the era instead. The movie is filled with stock footage from the era, and many errors are either left in (a henchmen forgetting to put a car into park before getting out) or deliberately written into the script (an actor reading out stage instructions.) The film had a very limited release in 2009, followed by a release on both DVD and Blu-Ray. It was followed by the graphic novel Black Dynamite: Slave Island and an animated series on Adult Swim. Plans for a sequel are in motion.

What most people miss is the fact that many of the actors aren't just playing the characters in the movie, they're playing actors who are playing characters in the movie. For example, Michael Jai White stars as "All-Star running back Ferrante Jones" who plays Black Dynamite, which is a tribute to popular blaxploitation star such as Jim Brown and Fred "the Hammer" Williamson, who started their careers on the grid-iron.

The following firearms were seen in the film Black Dynamite:

Handguns

Smith & Wesson Model 629 Classic

Black Dynamite (Michael Jai White) uses a Smith & Wesson Model 629 Classic as his primary weapon. The 629 is chambered in .44 Magnum, is the stainless steel version of the S&W Model 29, and was introduced in 1978. The 629 Classic has a full-length underlug, which differentiates it from the standard 629. Black Dynamite fires it one handed regularly, showing pretty much no recoil or flinching, which is fitting to his badass persona. (The real reason for this is the fact that almost all the muzzle flashes were added in post production.) Black Dynamite also has the amazing ability to fire ten to twenty shots from the revolver without reloading as is fitting to the spoof nature of the film

Smith & Wesson Model 629 Classic - .44 Magnum

"Freeze you jive turkey!"

S&W 629 Classic in right hand.

The iconic Black Dynamite pose with First Lady Pat Nixon and Gloria (Salli Richardson)

Dan Wesson Large Frame .44 Magnum

Black Dynamite also uses a stainless Dan Wesson Large Frame revolver, again in .44 Magnum.

Dan Wesson Large Frame .44 Magnum left hand.

Black Dynamite now with the Dan Wesson in his right hand.

Smith & Wesson Model 10

A snub-nosed Smith & Wesson Model 10 with a bobbed hammer is O'Leary's (Kevin Chapman) weapon of choice. Saheed (Phil Morris) holds a henchman hostage with one. Bullhorn (Byron Minns) later uses one to put one of his own out of his misery.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 snub nose revolver - .38 Special. Same frame, but with smaller grips and 2 inch barrel.

A shot of the S&W 10 from the side. From here the bobbed hammer is visible (or NOT visible, as it were.)

"Do ya want to live?"

Colt MK IV Series 70

One of Chicago Wind's (Mykelti Williamson) thugs holds a Colt MK IV Series 70 on Black Dynamite in the Hip Pocket, before it is "kicked" out of his hand by Bullhorn. Also seen in the hands of one of O'Leary's partners while infiltrating Black Dynamite's home. Black Dynamite likely uses the same prop later on in the montage.

Colt 1911 Series 70 - .45 ACP

One of O'Leary's men with the Colt.

Smith & Wesson Model 60

First Lady Pat Nixon (Nicole Sullivan) uses a Smith & Wesson Model 60 to stop Black Dynamite from destroying the presidential china.

Smith & Wesson Model 60, stainless variant of the Model 36 - .38 Special.

"Take your filthy black hands off the presidential dinnerware, you moon cricket!" (Moon cricket?)

Philadelphia Derringer

Richard Nixon (James McManus) tries to use the Philadelphia Derringer used by John Wilkes Booth to kill President Lincoln (which is not only in the White House, but also loaded) on Black Dynamite after their nunchuck fight. He is foiled by the ghost of Abraham Lincoln. (Yes, that's what actually happened in the movie.)

Philadelphia Derringer - .44 Cal. These percussion cap single shot pistols were manufactured between 1860-1869 by Slotter & Co to compete with Henry Deringer's pistols. (Note spelling. Deringer fought illegal copies of his pistols throughout his life, and the deliberate misspelling "Derringer" eventually caught on.)

Inexplicably, it's in the White House...

...and even more inexplicably, it's kept loaded.

Saved by the ghost of kung-fu Lincoln! (Note to self: name future band or fantasy football team "Ghost of Kung-Fu Lincoln.")

Dan Wesson Model 15

One of Rafelli's thugs (Irwin Keyes) shoots Jimmy with a Dan Wesson Model 15.

Dan Wesson Model 15 - .357 Magnum

The bald one in the middle.

A zoomed up shot of the window.

Submachine Guns

M1928 Submachine Gun

While Don Rafelli (Mike Starr) is on the phone, a henchman with a Thompson M1928 gun can be seen in the background. Another henchmen at the warehouse is armed with one.

M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round magazine and early 'simplified' rear sight that would be adopted for the M1 Thompson - .45 ACP

The henchman on the left with the Thompson, the one on the right with a Madsen M50.

Madsen M50

Most of Rafelli's thugs use Madsen M50s as their primary automatic weapon. "Donut Man" (Lee Whittaker) is seen with a Madsen M50 after Black Dynamite shoots him. (IMDb refers to the character as such.)

Madsen M50 - 9x19mm

Dino (Richard Edson) bursts in with his Madsen M50.

"Doughnut men don't wear alligator shoes"

M3 Grease Gun

Cream Corn (Tommy Davidson) uses an M3 Grease Gun.

M3 "Grease Gun" .45 ACP. The later model M3A1 would eliminate the crank lever for cocking the bolt, and instead used a simple hole in the bolt for the shooter to use their finger.

Cream Corn fires his M3. The shot is reversed.

A shot of Cream Corn from Dr. Wu's monitor. Since this shot is not reversed, Cream Corn is using his right hand to fire.

Smith & Wesson M76

Rafelli's goons use Smith & Wesson M76s. Black Dynamite also uses one later assaulting the warehouse.

Smith & Wesson M76 - 9x19mm‎

A goon at Jimmy's apartment.

The goons fire at Black Dynamite at Roscoe's.

Shotguns

Mossberg 500

Militant #2 (Darrel Heath) uses a Mossberg 500.

Mossberg 500AT Shotgun - 12 Gauge. Note the wood furniture.

Militant #2 (in the green jacket) with a Mossberg 500 in the warehouse.

Militant #2 (in the green jacket) with a Mossberg 500.

Rifles/Carbines

M16/SP1 & M203

A Black Panther is seen training himself to load the M16 quickly in the Panthers' compound. Militant #2 (Darrel Heath) also carries one with an M203 on Kung-Fu Island.

M16 aka SP1 (flat "slab side receiver") with an A1 "birdcage" Flash hider, used to impersonate the M16A1 during the 1970s and 1980s. This version has a 30 round magazine - 5.56x45mm

M16A1 5.56x45mm with M203 grenade launcher 40mm

M14

Saheed (Phil Morris) carries an M14. It is probably the same M14 from the militant's headquarters.

M14 rifle - 7.62x51mm NATO

Note the M14 in the background.

The M14 on Saheed's back.

The M14 on Saheed's back as they open up the crates.

M1 Carbine (including Iver Johnson Enforcer)

One of Black Dynamite's guys uses an M1 Carbine. Bullhorn (Byron Minns) also uses an Iver Johnson Enforcer.

The Modern Manufactured version of the M1 Carbine, with standard stock, from Auto-Ordnance (affiliated with Kahr Arms and Thomson Arms). Chambered in .30 Carbine

Iver-Johnson Enforcer Pistol - .30 Carbine

The man to Black Dynamite's left has an M1 Carbine, while Bullhorn to the right has the Iver Johnson Enforcer

Heavy Weapons

M60 machine gun

An M60 machine gun is seen in Black Dynamite's (stock footage-filled) flashback to his days in the Vietnam War.

M60 machine gun with bipod extended - 7.62x51mm NATO

M72 LAW

The Secret Service uses an M72 LAW to shoot down Black Dynamite's helicopter and to destroy his parachute. As with most of the other muzzle flashes in the movie, the rocket and smoke appear to be effects added in post-production.

M72A2 LAW - 66mm

The Secret Service fires off the rocket before Black Dynamite shoots him.

A zoomed up shot of the window.

Cobray CM79LF 37mm Launcher

Militant #2 uses a Cobray CM79LF 37mm Launcher during the assault on Kung Fu Island.

Cobray M79LF stand alone launcher - 37mm.

Militant #2 decides against sneaking up on Dr. Wu.

Mk 2 hand grenade

Black Dynamite throws a Mk 2 hand grenade during the assault on Kung Fu Island.

Mk 2 "Pineapple" High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade

Black Dynamite with a Mk 2 hand grenade during the assault on Kung Fu Island.

Blindicide RL-83

Militant #2 uses Blindicide RL-83 rocket launcher during the assault on Kung Fu Island.

Blindicide RL-83 - 83mm

A view of the rocket launcher via Dr. Wu's viewer. Although you can't see his face, from the afro and bandolier, it's clear it's Militant #2 holding it.