FFifty years ago, talks began for a movie inspired by real Hollywood bigwigs who helped a leader of the Black Panthers flee America. It never got made…until now. The Big Cigar, a series debuting on Apple TV+ on May 17, is based on Hollywood producer Bert Schneider’s effort to get Black Panthers co-founder Huey Newton to Cuba. The series follows Newton as he tests Schneider to ensure his trustworthiness, depicting the real history that inspired the show.
The Black Panthers, founded by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale in 1966, aimed to combat police brutality and support minority communities through various programs, facing FBI scrutiny during the Cold War era.
Huey P. Newton’s Great Escape
After Newton’s arrest, Hollywood producer Bert Schneider, known for supporting left-wing causes, aided the Black Panthers. Their journey to get Newton to Cuba, codenamed “The Big Cigar,” involved elaborate plans fraught with risks.
Despite setbacks, including a boat accident, Newton eventually reached Cuba. The characters’ fates differed, with Schneider continuing his filmmaking career but struggling with addiction, while Newton faced legal challenges and ultimately tragedy.
The story of friendship and betrayal between Newton and Schneider showcases the complex interplay of politics and Hollywood glamour, culminating in a tale of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice.
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