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Roger Corman directs this cult gangster shocker loosely based on the story of the infamous Ma Baker and her band of demented, gun-toting criminal sons. Set in Depression-era America, the film tells the no-holds-barred story of a family for whom rape, murder, kidnapping, robbery, drug abuse, incest, crime and infinite depravity are all just part of everyday life. Shelly Winters stars as Ma, while Robert DeNiro makes an early appearance as one of her unhinged brood.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Shelley Winters enjoys her most iconic movie role in Bloody Mama, Roger Corman's no holds barred biopic of `Ma' Barker, leader of the infamous Depression-era outlaw clan, and also the inspiration for the character of `Ma' Jarrett in Raoul Walsh's classic White Heat. Produced by Corman's usual studio, American International Pictures, in 1969, this film was made quite quickly and was obviously designed to cash in on the success of Bonnie and Clyde, which had been a runaway hit a short time before.
The film's rushed shooting schedule and low budget are visible on screen, but the film moves at quite a pace, and contains several striking performances that to help paper over the cracks in its production. Featuring as members of the Barker gang are Bruce Dern, Don Stroud (best known for playing villains in the likes of Coogan's Bluff and the James Bond movie Licence to Kill), and a very young Robert DeNiro, whilst western veteran Pat Hingle features as an unfortunate kidnap victim. Given the era in which it was made, the story it tells, and the fact that it is an exploitation movie through and through, it is no surprise that Bloody Mama is a somewhat salacious and distasteful film, and one that paints a much less romantic and attractive (but more realistic) portrait of the gang in question than was found in White Heat.
Far from being a classic, Bloody Mama will nonetheless appeal to those who enjoy bloody exploitation movies, and also to Robert DeNiro fans who want to catch him in one of his earliest roles. For those who may be seeking a far more polished and appealing film telling a similar story, AIP's 1973 version of Dillinger, starring Warren Oates, is infinitely superior.
The film's rushed shooting schedule and low budget are visible on screen, but the film moves at quite a pace, and contains several striking performances that to help paper over the cracks in its production. Featuring as members of the Barker gang are Bruce Dern, Don Stroud (best known for playing villains in the likes of Coogan's Bluff and the James Bond movie Licence to Kill), and a very young Robert DeNiro, whilst western veteran Pat Hingle features as an unfortunate kidnap victim. Given the era in which it was made, the story it tells, and the fact that it is an exploitation movie through and through, it is no surprise that Bloody Mama is a somewhat salacious and distasteful film, and one that paints a much less romantic and attractive (but more realistic) portrait of the gang in question than was found in White Heat.
Far from being a classic, Bloody Mama will nonetheless appeal to those who enjoy bloody exploitation movies, and also to Robert DeNiro fans who want to catch him in one of his earliest roles. For those who may be seeking a far more polished and appealing film telling a similar story, AIP's 1973 version of Dillinger, starring Warren Oates, is infinitely superior.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Peter L. Bec
Amazon Verified Purchase
Decent explotation movie, especially notable for an early performance by Robert De Niro. Don Stroud, Bruce Dern and Pat Hingle give strong performances. Shelly Winters is memorable as the title character.
The case against this disc is technical. The sound quality is quite poor; this does detract from the overall enjoyment of the film. Also, there is no subtitle option. That was of greater annoyance that one might suspect.
Overall-worthy explotation classic. They really don't make movies like this any more...
The case against this disc is technical. The sound quality is quite poor; this does detract from the overall enjoyment of the film. Also, there is no subtitle option. That was of greater annoyance that one might suspect.
Overall-worthy explotation classic. They really don't make movies like this any more...
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Da Parsons
Amazon Verified Purchase
Robert De Niro's first real major film role and one of a few that are hard to find. He made the most of the opprtunity playing the drug addicted son of a violent bank-robbing brood based on the Ma Barker, US gangster family. Typical Roger Corman film well done on a very low budget. Shelley Winters is the star and will always be remembered for holding up a bank, holding a tommy gun and chewing on a cigar. If you like gangster films, rather than the Mafia style films, then this is well worth a watch
Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Bloody Mama
I found this film to be a load of crap not a good story line at all bit disjointed in my opinion
Published 9 days ago by Mrs. E. Cherry
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bloody Mama recent re-release
Enjoyed this good re-release of the Bloody Mama movie by famed director Roger Corman. Pretty decent partly accurate biopic of depression-era yeggs the Barker Gang, under the... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Mr. Samuel Reed
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grrr . . . it's freezing
Despite mixed reviews I enjoyed this film. Well, I did until three quarters of the way through when the wretched dvd began to freeze; slowly at first but increasing in frequency... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Clem
1.0 out of 5 stars
dull, boring
Bloody Mama is the story of Ma Baker and her hillbilly sons. the lady and her sons are legend amongst Americas gangster era. but, to me this film I found was very dull and boring. Read more
Published on 2 July 2010 by John Moore
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