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Action Cult Classic

A hitman takes the pulpit—and the streets—in this gritty blaxploitation crime tale.

SWEET JESUS, PREACHERMAN

Amen, Brother!

1973 · 1h 30m · R · Action / Crime / Drama · IMDB TMDB

A Black hit man poses as a Baptist preacher in a ghetto church. He decides to take over the local rackets.

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Quick Answer

What is Sweet Jesus, Preacherman about?

Sweet Jesus, Preacherman is a 1973 American action crime drama directed by Henning Schellerup about a hitman sent to infiltrate the inner city by posing as a Baptist preacher, only to plot taking over the local rackets.

Programmer's Pick

Only in the blaxploitation era could a hitman trade his gun for a Bible and still look this cool. With Roger E. Mosley blending preacher swagger and criminal cunning, Sweet Jesus, Preacherman is equal parts pulp and pulpits.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Holmes is a professional hitman, accustomed to taking lives on command. When his boss Martelli assigns him a new mission, Holmes is sent deep into a black neighborhood, a gritty inner-city quarter, where he adopts the identity of Reverend Lee—a Baptist preacher with a suspiciously forceful approach. As he takes to the pulpit in a local church, Holmes discovers that the congregation is already crawling with other criminal elements. Rather than simply observing, he schemes to seize control of the entire territory for himself. Sweet Jesus, Preacherman blends action, crime, and drama in the blaxploitation tradition, pitting underworld ambition against the sacred backdrop of the church.

Details & Specs

Director
Henning Schellerup
Writers
Abbey Leitch, M. Stuart Madden, John Cerullo
Release
1973
Runtime
1h 30m
Country
United States of America
Language
English
Genres
Action, Crime, Drama
Also Known As
Sweet Jesus, Preacher Man

Why This Matters

Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1973, this blaxploitation action film features Roger E. Mosley and is directed by Henning Schellerup, exemplifying the era's intersection of major studio distribution and genre filmmaking.
— SassyFlix Curator

Cast & Crew

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Director: Henning Schellerup Writers: Abbey Leitch +2 more
Roger E. Mosley Roger E. Mosley Holmes / Lee William Smith William Smith Martelli Michael Pataki Michael Pataki State Senator Sills Tom Johnigarn Tom Johnigarn Eddie Stoner JT Joe Tornatore Joey Damu King Damu King Sweetstick Marla Gibbs Marla Gibbs Beverly Solomon SL Sam Laws Deacon Greene PH Phil Hoover George Orr PS Paul Silliman Roy CL Chuck Lyles Detroit Charlie Norman Fields Norman Fields Police Captain DT Della Thomas Foxey Amentha Dymally Amentha Dymally Mrs. Greene PE Patricia Edwards Marion Hicks CD Chuck Douglas Jr. Lenny Soloman VL Vincent LaBauve Bobby Thompson CW Chuck Wells Eli Stoner BC Betty Coleman Maxine Gibbs LJ Lou Jackson Randy Gibbs LT Lillian Tarry Mother Gibbs TE T.C. Ellis Earl Saunders LF Lee Frost 1st Policeman JB Joanne Bruno Widow Foster KF K.D. Friend Funeral Minister GJ Gordon James Restaurant Hood BQ Billy Quinn Sweetstick's Bodyguard BA Bobby Angelle Militant JW John Washington Militant BH Bruce Hall Militant DS Don Senette Militant DM Danny Michael Mann Militant CP Curtis Price Militant JS Jay Scott Liquor Store Rowdy ND Nick Dimitri Liquor Store Rowdy JD Jack Driscoll Liquor Store Rowdy JW Jerry Wade Electrocuted Man BM Bob Minor Hotel Target

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Why Cult

Hitman in the Pulpit

A professional killer masquerades as a Baptist preacher, turning the church into his new hunting ground.

Urban Blaxploitation Vibe

Set in the heart of the inner city, the film channels the gritty, stylish energy of classic blaxploitation cinema.

Double-Life Drama

Holmes' dual identity as both hitman and preacher sets up tense confrontations with local thugs and the church community.

Independent Film Edge

This independently crafted crime drama doesn't shy away from tough themes or raw urban storytelling.

Scene Gallery

Threat File

Trigger

Holmes sent to infiltrate inner city

Threat

Hitman posing as preacher

Effect

Seizes control of local rackets

Setting

Black quarter of the inner city

Questions from the Vault

When was Sweet Jesus, Preacherman released? +

Sweet Jesus, Preacherman was released in 1973.

Who directed Sweet Jesus, Preacherman? +

Henning Schellerup directed Sweet Jesus, Preacherman.

How long is Sweet Jesus, Preacherman? +

Sweet Jesus, Preacherman has a runtime of 90 minutes.

What genre is Sweet Jesus, Preacherman? +

Sweet Jesus, Preacherman is an action, crime, and drama film.

Where can I watch Sweet Jesus, Preacherman? +

You can watch Sweet Jesus, Preacherman on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

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