IMDb RATING
6.2/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
A malevolent phony preacher plots to take advantage of a woman from his congregation who happens to be in love with his long-estranged identical twin brother.A malevolent phony preacher plots to take advantage of a woman from his congregation who happens to be in love with his long-estranged identical twin brother.A malevolent phony preacher plots to take advantage of a woman from his congregation who happens to be in love with his long-estranged identical twin brother.
- Awards
- 1 win
Marshall Rogers
- Speakeasy Proprietor
- (as Marshall Rodgers)
Mercedes Gilbert
- Martha Jane - Her Mother
- (uncredited)
Julia Theresa Russell
- Isabelle - the Girl
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaFilm debut of Paul Robeson.
- GoofsMother Martha Jane looks through her Bible for the saved money to show it to the sisters, but it's missing. She leaves the book on the table and while searching through some drawers, three shots of the sisters show no book on the table. When the mother returns to the table, the book is back.
- Quotes
Yello-Curley' Hinds - the Phony Reverend's Former Jailmate: I tell you that I was not seekin' you out, but dropped off here to find girls for 'Cotton Blossom's Shoulder Shakers' - - and this little Isabelle - - she appeals to muh!
- Alternate versionsRaymond Rohauer, Inc. copyrighted a restored version in 1979 with a music track and new credits. The music was composed and performed by Lee Erwin and was recorded at Carnegie Hall Cinema, New York. It's running time is 83 minutes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Black Shadows on the Silver Screen (1975)
Featured review
Great historical value because of its niche production and intended audience
It's a cynical, satirical drama set in 1925 rural Georgia, telling the story of a crooked preacher in a small African American congregation. Paul Robeson made his film debut in this picture. Micheaux produced "Body and Soul" for African Americans; thus, white audiences did not see it.
Isaiah T. Jenkins (Paul Robeson) is an escaped prisoner in the fictional town of Tatesville, Georgia. He drinks, gambles, and tries to get money from members of his congregation. He associates with the owner of a speakeasy (this is during Prohibition) and his former jailmate (Lawrence Chenault).
Two members of his congregation are Sister Martha Jane (Mercedes Gilbert) and her daughter, Isabelle (Julia Theresa Russell). Martha Jane survives by doing laundry for people and has saved a sum of money she has hidden in the family Bible. Isabelle is in love with Sylvester Jenkins (Paul Robeson), who happens to be Isaiah's upright twin brother and an aspiring scientist.
The film follows Isaiah's efforts to get Martha Jane's money and his aggressive pursuit and manipulation of Isabelle. A plot twist at the end doesn't really follow the rest of the movie. New York authorities heavily censored the film, reducing its length, and only the edited version survived. It's unclear what Micheaux may have genuinely intended.
"Body and Soul" has great historical value because of its niche production and intended audience. Robeson has a strong film presence, as do Mercedes Gilbert and Julia Theresa Russell. A worship service scene near the film's end is quite remarkable. However, the production is not polished, and the acting of secondary characters is weak.
Silent films are genuinely a different genre.
Isaiah T. Jenkins (Paul Robeson) is an escaped prisoner in the fictional town of Tatesville, Georgia. He drinks, gambles, and tries to get money from members of his congregation. He associates with the owner of a speakeasy (this is during Prohibition) and his former jailmate (Lawrence Chenault).
Two members of his congregation are Sister Martha Jane (Mercedes Gilbert) and her daughter, Isabelle (Julia Theresa Russell). Martha Jane survives by doing laundry for people and has saved a sum of money she has hidden in the family Bible. Isabelle is in love with Sylvester Jenkins (Paul Robeson), who happens to be Isaiah's upright twin brother and an aspiring scientist.
The film follows Isaiah's efforts to get Martha Jane's money and his aggressive pursuit and manipulation of Isabelle. A plot twist at the end doesn't really follow the rest of the movie. New York authorities heavily censored the film, reducing its length, and only the edited version survived. It's unclear what Micheaux may have genuinely intended.
"Body and Soul" has great historical value because of its niche production and intended audience. Robeson has a strong film presence, as do Mercedes Gilbert and Julia Theresa Russell. A worship service scene near the film's end is quite remarkable. However, the production is not polished, and the acting of secondary characters is weak.
Silent films are genuinely a different genre.
helpful•00
- steiner-sam
- Feb 10, 2023
- How long is Body and Soul?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Runtime1 hour 42 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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