Sam Greenlee intended The Spook Who Sat By the Door to be viewed like a handbook for a revolution. Mocking civil rights and promoting black militancy, the film is really impressive considering the adversity Greenlee faced in getting it made. The film follows Dan Freeman from an assimilating Uncle Tom character to becoming the leader of a volatile group of black militants intent on freedom from white oppression. Greenlee and director Ivan Dixon wanted to film in Chicago where the story takes place but were not granted permits and investors were discouraged from getting involved. When the film was finally made, it lasted in theaters for only a week than subsequently disappeared. I have mixed feelings about The Spook. On one hand, the content is inflammatory and promotes violent revolution without a responsible approach to the dangers. On the other, it passionately depicts the black militant movement, one that is often excluded from our history in favor of the more docile civil rights movement.
