The Spook Who Sat by the Door
| Director | Ivan Dixon |
|---|---|
| Year | 1973 |
| Country | USA |
| Runtime | 1h 42m |
| Language | English |
| Format | DCP |
| TMDB | View entry |
Synopsis
A revolution immortalized on celluloid, THE SPOOK WHO SAT BY THE DOOR is a provocative adaptation of Sam Greenlee’s novel, brought vividly to life by director Ivan Dixon. The story follows Dan Freeman (Lawrence Cook), the first Black CIA agent whose journey begins with a cynical move: a senator, desperate for the Black vote, pressures the CIA to integrate. Freeman alone passes the rigorous training, mastering guerrilla warfare, sabotage, and unarmed combat, only to be relegated to a token role: a desk job by the front door, ensuring his visibility to the public. But what the agency doesn’t anticipate is Freeman’s defiance. Armed with the skills they underestimated, he devises a plan of his own — one that doesn’t involve wasting away in obscurity. The film’s incendiary message was so powerful that it was pulled from theaters a mere week after its release amid fears it might spur audiences to action.
Listed at AFS
Archived on the AFS site between Thu, Apr 17 2025 and Wed, Feb 11 2026, across 4 captures. These dates are inferred from Wayback Machine captures and may not be accurate.