Former US Army lieutenant Jason Higgs (Sidney Poitier) has organised a payroll robbery of a factory. He will give the proceeds to the families of black demonstrators who are now in jail.
The plan miscarries and a policeman is shot, and the rest of the film concerns the hunt for Jason and his attempts to escape with the help of a white girl friend (Joanna Shimkus).
The merciless onslaught of the police on a peaceful demonstration by black men and women is properly horrifying, but the political and emotional problems never get worked out and Jason – for all that he is played by Sidney Poitier and was presumably meant to be a kind of martyred Robin Hood figure – is no more than a stupid thug.
There is a particularly nasty scene in which the dying Jason is photographed by an ambitious newsman.
Al Freeman Jr. is good, as always, as a non-violent friend.
Jason Higgs
Sidney Poitier Cathy Ellis
Joanna Shimkus Dennis Lawrence
Al Freeman Jr. Inspector Carl Hamilton
Michael Tolan Eddie Moxie
Leon Bibb Barnes
Richard Dysart Photographer
David Steinberg Sally Carter
Beverly Todd Orville Turner
Paul Winfield Reggie Page
Bernie Hamilton Ronald
Richard Anthony Williams Police Captain
Dolph Sweet Terry
Arnold Williams Theresa
Virginia Capers Diane Lawrence
Vonetta McGee Warren
Frank Marth Miss Harrison
Maxine Stuart Plainclothesman
George Tyne Grandma
Paulene Myers Willie
Lee Weaver Miller
Morris Erby Teddy
Doug Johnson Minister
Lincoln Kilpatrick
