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A black man wearing a sharp suit and glasses stands alone in a hallway lined by lockers.

The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973)

  Ivan Dixon

  United States     104 minutes

Synopsis

Ivan Dixon’s The Spook Who Sat By the Door is a radical adaptation of Sam Greenlee’s 1969 novel and a seminal work of American political cinema. The film stars Lawrence Cook as Dan Freeman, the first Black CIA agent, who secretly utilizes his training to build a guerrilla army on the south side of Chicago aimed at toppling the U.S. government. Freeman’s covert operations highlight the militant struggle for Black liberation that intensified in the wake of the civil rights movement.

Blending satire with serious political commentary, Dixon’s explosive narrative remains a powerful critique of systemic racism and oppression. Restored to its original glory, the film’s urgency and revolutionary spirit continue to resonate today, showcasing its timeless relevance and incisive portrayal of Black resistance.

Restored by The Library of Congress and The Film Foundation. Funding provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation.

 English 

Screenings & Events

Screening

Sun, Oct 20 @ 6:30pm CDT

at Logan Center for the Arts

Scheduled to Attend:
Actors David Lemieux, J.A. Preston, and Pemon Rami

Screening

Wed, Oct 23 @ 7:30pm CDT

at Chicago History Museum

Media

Film Credits

  •   Ivan Dixon, Sam Greenlee
  •   Sam Greenlee
  •   Herbie Hancock
  •   1973

Sponsors

Black Perspectives Program Sponsor

Logo: AllState

Restored by

logo: Library of Congress 277x75logo: The Film Foundation 511x75

Funding provided by

Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation