"...this Black Caesar is essentially black bad guys against white bad guys in gory warfare that evolves more as exploitation than as clear, convincing exposition of man's inhumanity to man. One can't avoid the feeling that Larry Cohen, the writer-director-producer, has stacked his melodrama largely for black machismo and constant carnage....Mr. Williamson, who led the slave revolt in the recent The Legend of Nigger Charley [1972], this time is equally imposing, tough and unflappable-if not as dignified-as the "Black Caesar," who seems to be subject to some of the shocks as well as the fate of the original Caesar. And the performances are as obvious as the program blurb which proclaims him "the cat with the 45 caliber claws."
- The New York Times

"This is one of the most celebrated films in the blaxploitation genre, and it deserves all the praise you can heap on it. This is an epic in every way."
-Todd Doogan, The Digital Bits

"One of the true highlights of the blaxploitation genre."
-Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide

"A Scarface-like rags-to-corruption tale reminiscent of the Warner gangster films of the 1930s. Though more significantly dated relative to the other films in the series, Black Caesar retains a loyal following and is highlighted by a truly impressive taxi chase down the sidewalks of New York."
-Wade Major, Box Office.com

"[Director Larry] Cohen works against himself. He creates fascinating characters and then lets his actors mess them up. He conceives witty and elaborate action scenes and then tries to film them without investing enough of the budget to the let the sequences pay back."
-Doug Pratt, DVD-Laser.com

"Unfortunately it all remains too crude to convince one of its better intentions."
-Time Out Film Guide

"Cohen's technique is almost laughably crude, but a core of frightening conviction remains."
-Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader

"Black Caesar contains many fine cinematic moments. The scenes between Gibbs and his father show first rate acting and emotional truth. One of Williamson's best performances."
-Gerald Martinez et al, What It Is... What It Was

Compiled by David Kalat