Nothing But a Man (1964)

An enormous pleasure. The performances are so fresh and natural – yet so subtle and delicately judged. The direction is superb in its control and the cinematography creates a gripping docu-realist vision.

It can't be overstated just how Nothing But a Man is militantly tone-deaf to the Hollywood muzak of race relations.

The title almost suggests manhood as something trifling. The film, however, confirms it's a mighty hard ideal to reach.

Its historical import as a peripheral civil-rights document can't be understated.