---
title: "A Piece of the Action"
year: 1977
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/a-piece-of-the-action-1977"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 29493
imdb_id: null
status: "Unknown"
community_rating: 5.8
vote_count: 0
content_rating: "Unrated"
---

# A Piece of the Action (1977) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/a-piece-of-the-action-1977

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

A Piece of the Action is a 1977 American crime comedy film directed by and starring Sidney Poitier alongside co-star Bill Cosby. The story follows retired cop Joshua Burke as he uses his knowledge of a seedy past to blackmail career criminals Manny Durrell and Dave Anderson into volunteering to help juvenile delinquents.

Culturally, the film is notable as the third pairing of Poitier and Cosby following Uptown Saturday Night and Let's Do It Again, with the three films considered a trilogy. It maintains a comedic yet crime-focused tone across its two-hour and fifteen-minute runtime, bringing together prominent actors including James Earl Jones.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A retired cop blackmails two career criminals into helping juvenile delinquents."

### Why Watch
- Stars Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby as career criminals Manny Durrell and Dave Anderson.
- Features James Earl Jones as retired cop Joshua Burke.
- Represents the third film pairing of Poitier and Cosby following Uptown Saturday Night and Let's Do It Again.

### Caveats & Content Note
- The provided sources do not mention specific criticisms or reasons to skip the film beyond viewer preferences.
- Tone & Suitability: The film belongs to the comedy and crime genres with a runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: #crime-comedy, #career-criminals, #blackmail-plot, #juvenile-delinquents, #retired-cop

## Streaming Availability Matrix

Direct streaming licensing updates dynamically. Consult the live tracking interface at https://www.archytele.com/show/a-piece-of-the-action-1977#watch.

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Where can I stream A Piece of the Action (1977)?
Streaming availability is listed on platforms like TMDB and Plex, though specific current providers are not detailed in the text.

### Q: Is A Piece of the Action worth watching?
It features a notable cast including Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby, and James Earl Jones, and is the third film in a trilogy.

### Q: What is the runtime of the film?
The film has a runtime of 2 hours and 15 minutes.

### Q: Are there related films in a series?
Yes, it is the third film pairing of Sidney Poitier and Bill Cosby, following Uptown Saturday Night and Let's Do It Again.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [A Piece of the Action — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/29493)
- [A Piece of the Action (film) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Piece_of_the_Action_(film))
- [A Piece of the Action (1977) - Full cast & crew - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076543/fullcredits/)
- [A Piece of the Action (1977) - Cast & Crew — The Movie ...](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/29493-a-piece-of-the-action/cast)
- [A Piece of the Action (1977) Full Cast & Crew - Plex](https://watch.plex.tv/movie/a-piece-of-the-action/credits)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*