Writer, director, and star Mario Van Peebles tried to correct historical misconceptions about African-Americans on the frontier with this action-packed western thats also an homage to spaghetti Westerns. During the Spanish-American War, a squadron of black soldiers led by Jesse Lee (Van Peebles) is assigned a dangerous mission behind enemy lines in Cuba by evil Colonel Graham (Billy Zane). Joined by a white gambler, Little J (Stephen Baldwin), the troupe is to recover a chest of gold. Realizing that Graham will slaughter them once theyve relinquished the booty, Lee and his men retrieve the chest, wound Graham, and head for home. Ambushed by Graham in New Orleans, the posse heads for Lees hometown of Freemanville, a frontier settlement of ex-slaves. Years ago, Lees minister father (Robert Hooks) was murdered there by Klansmen, and the gunslinger wants revenge. Theres new trouble brewing in Freemanville, however. Sheriff Bates (Richard Jordan), top lawman in neighboring Cutterville, plans to wipe out Freemanvilles citizens and sell their lucrative property to a railroad. Then theres Graham, still on Lees trail. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide