Mandingo is a 1975 American drama film directed by Richard Fleischer, based on the novel of the same name by Kyle Onstott. The movie is set in the southern United States in the 1840s, where wealthy plantation owner Warren Maxwell (played by James Mason) is obsessed with breeding the perfect slave, or "Mandingo", through his selective pairing of his male and female slaves.
Maxwell decides to train one of his Mandingo slaves, Mede (played by Ken Norton), to be a bare-knuckle fighter in order to win bets with other plantation owners. Mede proves to be a fierce fighter as he is physically strong and well-trained. However, the violent and brutal world of bare-knuckle fighting takes a toll on him, as he is forced to fight other slaves to death.
Meanwhile, Maxwell's wife, Blanche (played by Susan George), becomes sexually involved with Mede, which leads to jealousy and anger from Maxwell. As tensions rise between the characters, the movie explores themes of racism, slavery, and power dynamics.
Mandingo received mixed reviews upon its release, with some criticizing its extreme violence and exploitation of its black characters. However, the movie has since gained a cult following and is considered to be a controversial piece of cinema that explores the darker aspects of American history.