Nothing But a Man
Directed by Michael Roemer
Written by Michael Roemer and Robert Young
1964/USA
DuArt Film and Video/Nothing But a Man Company
First viewing/Netflix rental
Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.— Martin Luther King Jr. “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” April 16, 1963
Powerful film about one man’s struggle to keep his dignity combined with a tender, real love story.
Duff Anderson (Ivan Dixon) has a well-paying job maintaining railroad tracks. This keeps him on the move throughout the American South. One day he meets Josie, a preacher’s daughter, at a church service. Though Duff is not religious and has a fairly low opinion of women, he asks Josie out. Her family disapproves but Josie sees something special in Duff and they fall in love and marry. The marriage ends Duff’s employment with the railway.
Duff soon has another job but constantly bristles at degrading treatment from white foremen and co-workers. He is eventually fired for being an organizer and trouble maker. Thereafter he is unsuccessful in finding work or keeping it long. A baby is on the way and his relationship with Josie grows strained. Duff’s encounter with his estranged father and his own illegitimate son provokes a crisis.
I loved this film which goes straight on to my Favorite New-to-Me Films of 2018 list. The examination of racism is thoughtful and the romance is beautiful and realistic. Really a well-made film and highly recommended.
