As well as constituting a powerful subversion of genre within the Western canon, Buck and the Preacher also redefined the reputation of the legendary Sidney Poitier, as he positioned himself at the reigns of the production. Served by a trio of screen stars truly in their prime (Belafonte, Dee, Poitier), this iconic feature elegantly captures the nuance and transgression of the Reconstruction era. We're hitching up our wagon and heading along the trail for a behind the scenes look at the making of Poitier's pioneering classic.
Buck (Poitier) is a no-nonsense trail guide-for hire, devoting himself to protecting a group of former slaves seeking passage to the West, and a homestead beyond. He encounters the dishevelled but wily Preacher (Belafonte) - a con-man in the cloth’s clothing - with whom he eventually joins forces against a band of bounty hunters determined to drive the homesteaders back to the South... and into slavery.
A testament to the directorial talent of its legendary star, and a hidden gem ripe for rediscovery, this wildly entertaining revisionist masterpiece is heading back to the big screen from 3 March in dazzling 4K.
