Among the most fascinating chapters in film history is that of the so-called 'race films' which flourished between the 1920's and 1940's. Unlike the 'black cast' films produced within the Hollywood studio system, these films not only starred African Americans but were also funded, written, produced, edited, distributed, and often exhibited by people of colour. Entrepreneurial filmmakers built an industry apart from the Hollywood establishment, cultivating visual and narrative styles that were uniquely their own. Previously circulated in poor-quality 16mm prints, these digitally restored presentations allow modern audiences to witness the legacies of Oscar Micheaux, Spencer Williams, Zora Neale Hurston and James and Eloyce Gist with fresh eyes. These pioneers of African-American cinema were truly innovative.
Ten Nights in a Bar Room: An Introduction (4 mins)
About the Restoration (8 mins)
Religion in Early African-America Cinema (7 mins)
Eleven P.M.: An Introduction (3 mins)
S. Torriano Berry discusses the works of James and Eloyce Gist (5 mins)
Veiled Aristocrats trailer (4 mins)
Birthright Trailer (4 mins)
We Work Again (1937, 15 mins)
Tyler-Texas Black Film Collection (1985, 6 mins)
The Films of Zora Neale Hurston (2 mins)
The Films of Spencer Williams (7 mins)
The End of an Era (5 mins)
Disc 1:
This disc includes the following Films:
- Two Knights of Vaudeville (1915)
- Mercy the Mummy Mumbled (1918)
- A Reckless Rover Ebony Film (1918)
- Within Our Gates (1920)
- The Symbol of the Unconquered: A Story of the Ku Klux Klan (1920)
- By Right of Birth (1921)
- Body and Soul (1925)
- Screen Snapshots (1920)
Disc 2:
This disc includes the following Films:
- Regeneration (1923)
- The Flying Ace (1926)
- Ten Nights in a Bar Room (1926)
- Rev. S.S. Jones Home Movies (1924-1928)
- The Scar of Shame (1929)
- Special Features
Disc 3:
This disc includes the following Films:
- Eleven P.M. (1928)
- Hell-Bound Train (1930)
- Verdict Not Guilty (1933)
- The Darktown Revue (1931)
- The Exile (1931)
- Hot Biskits (1931)
- Heaven-Bound Travelers (1935)
- Special Features
Disc 4:
This disc includes the following Films:
- The Girl from Chicago (1932)
- Ten Minutes to Live (1932)
- Veiled Aristocrats (1932)
- Birthright (1932)
- Special Features
Disc 5:
This disc includes the following Films:
- The Bronze Buckaroo (1939)
- Zora Neale Hurston Fieldwork Footage (1928)
- Commandment Keeper Church (1940)
- The Blood Of Jesus (1941)
- Dirty Gertie From Harlem U.S.A (1946)
- Moses Sisters Interview (1978)
- Special Features
BBFC:
Release Date:
21/11/2016
Run Time:
1241 minutes
Languages:
English LPCM Mono, Silent
Subtitles:
None
Formats:
Pal
Aspect Ratio:
Various
Colour:
B&W and Tinted
BLU-RAY Regions:
B
Bonus:
An Introduction (8 mins)
The Films of Oscar Micheaux (9 mins)
The Color Line (6 mins)
Ten Nights in a Bar Room: An Introduction (4 mins)
About the Restoration (8 mins)
Religion in Early African-America Cinema (7 mins)
Eleven P.M.: An Introduction (3 mins)
S. Torriano Berry discusses the works of James and Eloyce Gist (5 mins)
Veiled Aristocrats trailer (4 mins)
Birthright Trailer (4 mins)
We Work Again (1937, 15 mins)
Tyler-Texas Black Film Collection (1985, 6 mins)
The Films of Zora Neale Hurston (2 mins)
The Films of Spencer Williams (7 mins)
The End of an Era (5 mins)
Disc 1:
This disc includes the following Films: - Two Knights of Vaudeville (1915) - Mercy the Mummy Mumbled (1918) - A Reckless Rover Ebony Film (1918) - Within Our Gates (1920) - The Symbol of the Unconquered: A Story of the Ku Klux Klan (1920) - By Right of Birth (1921) - Body and Soul (1925) - Screen Snapshots (1920)
Disc 2:
This disc includes the following Films: - Regeneration (1923) - The Flying Ace (1926) - Ten Nights in a Bar Room (1926) - Rev. S.S. Jones Home Movies (1924-1928) - The Scar of Shame (1929) - Special Features
Disc 3:
This disc includes the following Films: - Eleven P.M. (1928) - Hell-Bound Train (1930) - Verdict Not Guilty (1933) - The Darktown Revue (1931) - The Exile (1931) - Hot Biskits (1931) - Heaven-Bound Travelers (1935) - Special Features
Disc 4:
This disc includes the following Films: - The Girl from Chicago (1932) - Ten Minutes to Live (1932) - Veiled Aristocrats (1932) - Birthright (1932) - Special Features
Disc 5:
This disc includes the following Films: - The Bronze Buckaroo (1939) - Zora Neale Hurston Fieldwork Footage (1928) - Commandment Keeper Church (1940) - The Blood Of Jesus (1941) - Dirty Gertie From Harlem U.S.A (1946) - Moses Sisters Interview (1978) - Special Features
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