Nothing but a Man
Michael Roemer’s groundbreaking first feature, sensitively shot by his close collaborator Robert M. Young, is a still-resonant expression of humanity in the face of virulent prejudice. Made at the height of the civil rights movement, Nothing but a Man reveals the toll of systemic racism through its honest portrait of a southern Black railroad worker (Ivan Dixon) confronting the daily challenges of discrimination and economic precarity, as he attempts to settle down with his new wife (jazz great Abbey Lincoln) and track down his father (Julius Harris). Admired by Malcolm X and now recognized as a landmark of American cinema, this tender film grounds its social critique in characters of unforgettable complexity and truth.
DIRECTOR-APPROVED BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
- New, restored 4K digital master, approved by director Michael Roemer, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
- An Introduction to Michael Roemer, a new interview program featuring Roemer
- Conversation from 2004 between Roemer and coproducer and cinematographer Robert M. Young
- Program featuring archival interviews with actors Ivan Dixon, Abbey Lincoln, and Julius Harris
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by critic Gene Seymour
New cover by Katya Mezhibovskaya
DIRECTOR-APPROVED BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
- New, restored 4K digital master, approved by director Michael Roemer, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
- An Introduction to Michael Roemer, a new interview program featuring Roemer
- Conversation from 2004 between Roemer and coproducer and cinematographer Robert M. Young
- Program featuring archival interviews with actors Ivan Dixon, Abbey Lincoln, and Julius Harris
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by critic Gene Seymour
New cover by Katya Mezhibovskaya
Cast
- Ivan Dixon
- Duff
- Abbey Lincoln
- Josie
- Julius Harris
- Will
- Gloria Foster
- Lee
- Martin Priest
- Mill worker
- Leonard Parker
- Frankie
- Yaphet Kotto
- Jocko
- Stanley Greene
- Rev. Dawson
- Helen Lounck
- Effie
- Helene Arrindell
- Doris
- Walter Wilson
- Car owner
- Milton Williams
- Pop
- Melvin Stewart
- Riddick
- Rev. Marshall Tompkin
- Revivalist
- Alfred Puryear
- Barney
- Charles McRea
- Joe
- Ed Rowan
- Willie
- Jim Wright
- Barman
- Tim Ligon
- Teenager
- William Jordan
- Teenager
- Gil Rogers
- Mill foreman
- Richard Webber
- Garage owner
- Sylvia Ray
- Churchwoman
- Esther Rolle
- Churchwoman
- Evelyn Davis
- Churchwoman
Credits
- Director
- Michael Roemer
- Written by
- Michael Roemer
- Written by
- Robert M. Young
- Produced by
- Robert M. Young
- Produced by
- Michael Roemer
- Produced by
- Robert Rubin
- Produced in association with
- DuArt Film Laboratories
- Cinematographer
- Robert M. Young
- Editor
- Luke Bennett
- Sound
- Robert Rubin
- Sound mixer
- Albert Gramaglia
- Costumes
- Nancy Ruffing
- Location manager
- Philip Clarkson
- Unit manager
- William Rhodes
- Assistant camera
- Peter Vollstadt
- Assistant
- Clayton Riley
- Electrician
- Frank Sukosd
- Harmonica
- Wilbur Kirk
A scene from Nothing but a Man
