Action,Crime,Drama,Western
United States of America
Thomasine & Bushrod is a 1972 film directed by Gordon Parks Jr. The film is a fictionalized retelling of the true story of real-life African American outlaws Thomasine "Tom" Burton and Shontay "Bushrod" Jackson, who lived in the early 20th century and engaged in a Robin Hood-like lifestyle of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.
The film stars Max Julien as Bushrod and Vonetta McGee as Thomasine. The two meet when Thomasine helps Bushrod escape from a chain gang. They become partners in crime and embark on a series of daring robberies targeting wealthy businessmen and corrupt law enforcement officials.
Their main goal is to use the stolen money to help impoverished communities, especially Mexican Americans, Native Americans, and poor whites. Along the way, they are pursued by the law and have to constantly evade capture.
The film is notable for its portrayal of African Americans in a positive light, as well as its depiction of interracial romance and solidarity between marginalized communities. Despite its small release, Thomasine & Bushrod has become a cult classic and is considered a landmark in black independent cinema.
