Uptight (1968): Cast, Plot & Where to Watch
Uptight is a 1968 drama thriller directed by Jules Dassin, starring Juanita Moore as Mama Wells, Max Julien and Julian Mayfield. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes. Stream it on Fawesome and Shout! Factory, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 44m (104 min)
- Director
- Jules Dassin
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Marlukin
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Uptight About?
The premise of Uptight without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A fugitive finds himself caught in a volatile confrontation as black militants secretly stockpile weapons for an anticipated race war. Their plans are shattered when one of their own turns traitor, igniting tension and putting a life on the line amid imminent explosive conflict, as the city teeters on the brink of chaos.
Uptight Themes & Keywords
· 39 tags- reference to martin luther king jr.
- funeral
- cleveland ohio
- drunk
- shower
- theft
- weapon
- guard
- watching tv
- police
- police station
- slapped in the face
+27 more Show fewer
- shaving
- denunciation
- phone booth
- telephone booth
- telephone call
- factory
- steel factory
- mirror
- distorting mirror
- blood bank
- money
- strangulation
- fire
- train
- rooftop
- escape
- hotel
- director
- actress
- 1930s
- black militant
- african american
- blaxploitation
- remake
- based on novel
- independent film
- one word title
Where to Watch Uptight
Stream it on Fawesome and Shout! Factory, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.
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Uptight Cast & Characters
Juanita Moore leads the cast as Mama Wells, with Max Julien as Johnny Wells and Julian Mayfield as Tank Williams. Directed by Jules Dassin; 34 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Jules Dassin
-
Juanita Moore as Mama Wells - Max Julien as Johnny Wells
- Julian Mayfield as Tank Williams
- Raymond St. Jacques as B.G.
Also Starring in Uptight
· 30 more- Janet MacLachlan Jeannie
- Roscoe Lee Browne Clarence
- Ruby Dee Laurie
- Dick Anthony Williams Corbin
- Robert DoQui Street Speaker
- Jesse Jackson Themselves
- Alan Oppenheimer Unctuous Man in Arcade (uncredited)
- Bill Walker Bartender (uncredited)
- Joel Fluellen Kyle's Associate (uncredited)
- James McEachin Mello
- Lovyss Bradley Society Woman at Arcade (uncredited)
- John Wesley Larry
- Ji-Tu Cumbuka Rick
- Frank Silvera Kyle
- Leonard Jackson Mr. Oakley (uncredited)
- William Elliott Revolutionary (uncredited)
Show all 34 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Ketty Lester Alma
- Michael Baseleon Teddy
- Isabel Cooley
- Leon Bibb Mr. Oakley (uncredited)
- David Moody
- Anthony Chisholm
- Marvin Walters Policeman (uncredited)
- Kirk Kirksey
- Lonny Stevens
- Mello Alexandria
- Vernett Allen Ralph (uncredited)
- L. Errol Jaye
- Van Kirksey
- Alice Childress
Uptight Plot Summary
What happens in Uptight from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 6-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In Cleveland, Ohio, as the city staggers under the shock of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, streets erupt in heated protests and a mood of rising urgency. At the center of the unfolding drama is a charismatic young revolutionary, Johnny Wells, who leads a small, tightly knit group of Black men with a mission they believe could be pivotal to the future of their community. They plan to raid a warehouse to sluice out guns, arming themselves for what they fear could soon become open, violent resistance. The operation is meant to symbolize strength and self-reliance, a decisive move in a world where legal protection feels distant and progress feels slow.
Full summary
The whole story of Uptight, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Uptight?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
What event triggers the unrest in Cleveland at the beginning of the film?
Cars in Uptight
28 cars on screen, including the 1965 Ford Econoline and the 1963 Chevrolet Corvair.
-
1965 Ford Econoline Important role -
1963 Chevrolet Corvair Minor role -
1963 Chrysler Newport Minor role -
1968 Dodge Coronet Minor role
Uptight Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “업타이트” and “不安”.
- Also known as
-
- 업타이트
- 不安
- Black Power
- Point noir
- Angivaren
Seen Uptight?
Movies Like Uptight
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Supremacy, The Final Comedown and Detroit.
Uptight FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch and post-credit scenes of Uptight, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Uptight?
Uptight runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).
When was Uptight released?
Uptight was released on December 28, 1968.
Who directed Uptight?
Uptight was directed by Jules Dassin.
More films by Jules Dassin Who is in the cast of Uptight?
Uptight stars Juanita Moore as Mama Wells, Max Julien as Johnny Wells and Julian Mayfield as Tank Williams, among 34 credited actors.
Where can I watch Uptight?
In the US, Uptight is streaming on Fawesome and Shout! Factory and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).
Does Uptight have a post-credit scene?
No. Uptight has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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