Nothing But A Man

Director: Michael Roemer

1964 / 95min / 35mm

New in town railway worker Duff (Ivan Dixon) meets minister’s daughter Josie (Abbey Lincoln) in Jim Crow Birmingham, where every aspect of daily life—work, relationships, parenthood, Church—is tainted by pervasive, systemic racism. A noted landmark of independent cinema, the significance of Nothing But a Man stretches far beyond its groundbreaking production history. Every performance, every emotion, every interaction is of such clarity and depth to make this masterpiece one of the rare films whose greatness can never be overstated. Kotto, in his first credited screen role, is a standout as one of Duff’s railroad gang pals.

35mm print restored by Library of Congress Packard Campus for Audio Visual Conservation.