Action Cult Classic

Fred Williamson is Detective Malone, a one-man army against a ruthless biker gang.

BLACK COBRA

There's muscle in his venom and fire in his heart!

1987 · 1h 25m · R · Action / Crime / Thriller · IMDB TMDB

When a beautiful photographer witnesses a murder committed by the leader of a vicious motorcycle gang, it's up to Malone to protect her. The gang throws everything they've got at Malone to eliminate the eyewitness, but Malone is tough-as-nails.

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Quick Answer

What is Black Cobra about?

Black Cobra is a 1987 Italian-American action crime thriller directed by Stelvio Massi about a maverick cop who protects a female photographer from a violent motorcycle gang.

Programmer's Pick

Black Cobra is what happens when Italian crime cinema borrows a page (or ten) from American blaxploitation and hands Fred Williamson a shotgun. Come for the psychopathic bikers, stay for Malone’s no-nonsense attitude and the kind of hospital shootouts that make insurance adjusters sweat.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Black Cobra throws you into the mean streets of the 1980s, where Detective Robert Malone doesn’t play by the rules but always gets results. When a beautiful fashion photographer witnesses a murder carried out by the ruthless leader of a motorcycle gang, Malone is assigned to keep her safe. As the gang relentlessly pursues their only witness, Malone’s hard-edged methods and uncompromising approach put him in constant conflict with the criminals and his own department. The film serves up gritty action, high-octane chases, and a dose of urban menace, making it a classic blend of crime and vigilante justice.

Details & Specs

Director: Stelvio Massi
Writer: Danilo Massi
Release: 1987
Runtime: 1h 25m
Country: United States of America, Italy
Language: English
Genres: Action, Crime, Thriller
Also Known As: Black Cobra, A fekete kobra, O Cobra Negra, Original title: Cobra nero

Cast & Crew

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Director: Stelvio Massi Writer: Danilo Massi

Fred Williamson Detective Robert Malone

Eva Grimaldi Elys Trumbo

Bruno Bilotta Bandit Leader

Maurice Poli Chief Max Walker

Vassili Karis Malone's Partner

Sabrina Siani Walker's Daughter

Gaetano Russo Alan (as Ronald Russo)

Explore More

Blaxploitation Independent Film Female Nudity Murder Violence Female Frontal Nudity Rape Male Nudity Male Rear Nudity Character Name In Title Kidnapping Two Word Title Shootout Police Officer Shotgun Detective Swimming Pool

Why Cult

Blaxploitation Heroics

Fred Williamson anchors the film as Detective Malone, bringing tough-as-nails charisma to every showdown.

Motorcycle Gang Menace

A gang of ruthless bikers turns the city into their playground, raising the stakes for every confrontation.

Run-and-Gun Action

From shootouts to car chases, the film doesn't skimp on explosive confrontations or urban mayhem.

80s-Style Urban Grit

Expect a healthy dose of sleaze, crime, and fashion photographer peril, all wrapped in pure 1980s atmosphere.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Photographer witnesses a murder

Threat

Violent motorcycle gang

Effect

Relentlessly pursues and endangers the eyewitness

Countermeasure

Detective Malone's intervention

Setting

Urban 1980s city

Questions from the Vault

When was Black Cobra released? +

Black Cobra was released in 1987.

Who directed Black Cobra? +

Stelvio Massi directed Black Cobra.

How long is Black Cobra? +

Black Cobra has a runtime of 85 minutes.

What genre is Black Cobra? +

Black Cobra is an action, crime, and thriller film.

How does Detective Malone go about protecting the photographer from the biker gang? +

Malone uses his uncompromising police tactics and maverick attitude to shield the photographer from the gang, taking direct action against their threats.