The Films of Oscar Micheaux (2016)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Film historian Charles Musser starts off this eight-minute piece by saying he believes Oscar Micheaux should be considered among the greatest of all silent film directors. It's worth noting that he mentions several names but not D.W. Griffith. From here this turns into a very good piece that mainly looks at Micheaux's silent films like WITHIN OUR GATES, THE SYMBOL OF THE UNCONQUERED and BODY AND SOUL. All three of the films are discussed including bits of pieces about missing footage, the various controversies that struck the film and how they hold up today. Some of the most fascinating stuff comes in regards to BODY AND SOUL and how Paul Robeson refused to admit that he was in the movie and how his son even went as far as to say it wasn't him. If you're a fan of Micheaux or just now getting into his works then this here is a nice introduction.