MovieChat Forums > Body and Soul (1925) Discussion > Entertaining

Entertaining

posted 19 years ago by jenifefa
9 replies | jump to latest

I saw this in a film history class years ago and I just watched it again. I think it's great for a silent film. Most silent films are slow moving and over-acted, but I thought this one had a decent pace and acting. Paul Robeson was especially good. The story must have been fairly shocking for those times. It drew me in and I wanted to find out what would happen to the characters in the end -- and that's saying a LOT for a 100 minute silent film.

You live in the ocean cuz you ain't got no job!

[–] ElevenSeventeen 19 years ago

I agree that it must have been shocking for its time. I just saw it on TMC last night and it was pointed out (as far as I could tell) that it was the uncut version, am I right? If so, then I'm guessing the rape scene (which to me was way more graphic and..."shocking" for a 1925 film than mere drinking scenes) was one of the cut scenes. Does anyone know because I'm curious if that scene was left in the movie way back when.

By the way, how did this movie get away with a mere "PG" rating (due to the rape scene)? They didn't exactly go into reat detail but it was pretty obvious what was happening.

Thanks

- ElevenSeventeen

[–] Sk8erSkeeze 19 years ago

I thought it was great too. The ending gave me a weird feeling though. IMDB says it was reshot at the last minute - so that explains it. I'm just glad that the majority of the censored footage was able to be restored at all.

[–] sleepingtiger (712) 7 years ago

From what I've read about the film---still haven't seen it yet, but definitely will after this---it was pretty controversial in its day for having the nerve to depict a church pastor as a predator (nowadays, that's pretty much the norm in films, as it is/was in real life) and Micheaux himself (not for the first time) had to deal with being hassled by the censors for it. Even Paul Robson (who made his film debut in this) disowned it----which makes you wonder why he took the role in the first place. There's a chapter about in the book WRITING HIS WAY THROUGH HISTORY by Pearl Bowser, which is about Micheaux and his work.

[–] mojo2004 19 years ago

I also just saw this on TCM on their regular silent film night.The fact that it was made in 1925 alone is amazing to me.The characters were able to convey
exactly what was going on before they showed the dialogue shots.I think sadly this very situation went on all across the country since even now people think a man of the cloth or wearing the cloth is Jesus Christ in the flesh.They ask no questions of the man or women and give them full access to material possesions, money and family members with the same results.The film was a bit long but it held my interest and I'm a huge Robeson fan.I always think when I watch Black films "what if?" What if the actors and actresses had the opportunities to develop their talent and play parts in mainstream films.So many would be well known to us.I think you'd like "Hallelujah" made in 1929 by
King Vidor.It's also has an all Black cast and a religious theme.TCM shows it
2-3 times a year.I rate "Body and Soul a 7.

"soylent green is people!"

[–] missgangsmashers 17 years ago

I love this film! It was great!

A classical people demand a classical art.
~Toni Cade Bambara

[–] suckerdwsp316 17 years ago

Honestly, one of the most impressive silent films I've seen.

It's amazing that Oscar Micheaux isn't discussed more often. Being african-american in the 1920s and making such a unique film has to be some kind of accomplishment, I can't believe he's not talked about more often.

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] sleepingtiger (712) 7 years ago

For anyone that's interested, BODY AND SOUL is also available on a DVD set titled PIONEERS OF AFRO-AMERICAN CINEMA, along with several other Micheaux films. The whole set is also currently streaming on Netflix to watch.

[–] marktayloruk (2507) 3 years ago

Saw it today. Wish it had been a sound film Definitely pre-Code - the Hays Office would have gone berserk ten years later!