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The Big Cigar is as much about 70s cinema as Huey P. Newton (Andre Holland), founder of the Black Panther party. It possesses a radical edge that embraces the blaxploitation vibe of that era as much as any subversive political forces, who would rather see this civil rights icon behind bars than doing anything progressive. Creator Jim Hecht (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty) is key in juggling all these volatile puzzle pieces and slotting them together into a thriller that intentionally unloads some home truths on Apple audiences.
Kicking off in 1974 before bouncing back and forth in time to establish context, The Big Cigar mixes stock footage, extensive voice over and a soundtrack packed with solid gold soul cuts to cement time and place. From the get go this party belongs to Andre Holland (Moonlight), who embodies Huey P. Newton with all the passion of an urban preacher laying down social reform. In carefully selected flashbacks audiences get a personal understanding of the obstacles he faced trying to instigate change in the face of political opposition, before moving on.
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Branded an enemy and coerced by FBI agents, Newton was the target of a sustained campaign that included wire taps, unauthorised surveillance and countless dawn raids which pushed him to the limit. An early leader of the party Eldridge Cleaver (Brenton Allen) fanned those flames further by advocating armed resistance, when Newton looked to lay down the foundations of something more solid without resorting to violence. On a dramatic level The Big Cigar manages to pull off all this and more without tub thumping or dumbing down the social issues that provide the framework for this series.
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Executive producer and Oscar nominee Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda) feels pivotal in making sure that the legacy of Huey P. Newton is honoured. A revered actor-director with kudos to spare, Cheadle leads from the front in the first 2 episodes, unpacking the essentials and introducing Hollywood producers Bert Schneider (Alessandro Nivola) and Steve Blauner (P.J. Byrne) into the equation.
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Known for their contribution to 70s cinema in the form of Five Easy Pieces (Jack Nicholson), Easy Rider (Dennis Hopper/Peter Fonda) and The Last Picture Show (Jeff Bridges/Cybil Sheperd) among others, The Big Cigar hinges on these unlikely bed fellows coming together. Thankfully, this Apple limited series takes several leaves from the Argo playbook and mixes hairbrained Hollywood schemes with grounded political plot points.
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The fact that these legendary producers risked life and limb for something of substance yet pulled off an impossible feat using smoke and mirrors is a miracle. Selling this lie with all the charm and charisma he can Schneider is the epitome of 70s cool. Hustling money from every quarter and pressganging his production partner Blauner into towing the line allowing The Big Cigar to dig into the politics without losing its audience.
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Over 6 episodes this pivotal moment in civil rights history is given space to breathe, and Huey P. Newton becomes so much more than that iconic portrait people may remember. Whether audiences decide to dive into this subject that seeks to educate, inform and enlighten, there is no doubt that The Bog Cigar fulfils its lofty ideals and walks the line documentary and dramatization with ease.
The Big Cigar is available to stream on Apple TV now.