Fred Williamson on Doing 'Three the Hard Way' with Jim Brown & Jim Kelly (Part 11)

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Fred Williamson recently shared insights about the making of 'Three the Hard Way.' The film, which also starred Jim Brown and Jim Kelly, broke barriers for black actors in action cinema at the time. Williamson, Brown, and Kelly each brought something unique to the film. Williamson, the 'butterfly' could adapt as needed, Brown portrayed masculine strength, while Kelly represented martial arts. Unlike many other films where actors competed against one another, the trio of actors didn't compete, instead, each contributed their own unique strengths to the film, a factor Williamson believes made the film successful. Despite their tough on-screen images, off-camera, all three carried a peaceful demeanor, choosing to defuse confrontations rather than engage in real-life fights. In another unconventional move, for their Western, 'Take a Hard Ride,' Kelly's character was made a mute, allowing his martial arts skills to take precedence.