Watching the first two in Urban Works box set of early African American cinema,I decided to continue by watching the second disc. Expecting them to be two movies with no connection,I was surprised to find they both star Paul Robeson,which led to me travelling to meet Jericho.
View on the film:
Noticeably more at ease in front of the camera than the actors in the first two films of the set,Paul Robeson gives a terrific, soulful performance as Jericho,with Robeson using his deep voice to give Jericho the gravitas of becoming the leader of a tribe. Put together as a deal between British producers and Robeson designed to give him "proper" lead roles, the writers largely meet these goals,with Jericho's accidental killing of a crazed officer on a ship, taking him deeper into the fantasy-like tribal land. Whilst rushing things a bit too much at the end, director Thornton Freeland & cinematographer John W. Boyle cast a swift Adventure atmosphere over Robeson vast change in lifestyle,and an ahead of its time fake newsreel footage revealing the foundation to the walls of Jericho.
View on the film:
Noticeably more at ease in front of the camera than the actors in the first two films of the set,Paul Robeson gives a terrific, soulful performance as Jericho,with Robeson using his deep voice to give Jericho the gravitas of becoming the leader of a tribe. Put together as a deal between British producers and Robeson designed to give him "proper" lead roles, the writers largely meet these goals,with Jericho's accidental killing of a crazed officer on a ship, taking him deeper into the fantasy-like tribal land. Whilst rushing things a bit too much at the end, director Thornton Freeland & cinematographer John W. Boyle cast a swift Adventure atmosphere over Robeson vast change in lifestyle,and an ahead of its time fake newsreel footage revealing the foundation to the walls of Jericho.