Watch Paul Robeson - 20th Century Renaissance Man, Entertainer & Activist

Paul Robeson - 20th Century Renaissance Man, Entertainer & Activist is a biographical documentary film released in 1979 that depicts the life and accomplishments of Paul Robeson, a distinguished African-American actor, singer, athlete, and civil rights activist. The film is directed and written by Saul J. Turell and features James Earl Jones as the narrator and Burt Wallace as Paul Robeson.

The film begins with a brief introduction to Paul Robeson's ancestry and his upbringing in Princeton, New Jersey. It then delves into his events, including his higher education at Rutgers University, where he excelled in academics as well as in athletics. Robeson's football skills earned him a place in the All-American team in 1917.

From there, the film chronicles his early career as a lawyer before he plunged into the world of the arts. Throughout the movie, viewers are taken on a journey of Robeson's life through his own words and the recollections of his family, friends, and supporters.

Paul Robeson - 20th Century Renaissance Man highlights Robeson's artistic achievements as a singer, actor, and performer. He was renowned for his powerful bass baritone voice and his dynamic stage presence, which earned him critical acclaim and adoration of audiences globally. He was a pioneering performer who used his art to promote human rights, social justice, and to raise awareness of the issues facing oppressed people worldwide.

The film showcases several poignant archival footage of Robeson's performances, including his stunning rendition of "Ol' Man River" from the musical Showboat. The movie also features performances from Robeson's Othello, Emperor Jones, and other Broadway performances.

The documentary highlights Paul Robeson's activism on behalf of his fellow African Americans and oppressed people worldwide. Robeson's worldview was shaped by his experiences with racism and inequalities. He was an ardent supporter of the civil rights movement and an advocate for the rights of workers, anti-colonialism, and anti-fascism.

The film includes interviews with several notable individuals who were crucial in Robeson's career, including actor and director Sidney Poitier, writer James Baldwin, and his son, Paul Robeson Jr. The interviews provide an intimate insight into Robeson's character and his unwavering dedication to his political and human rights activism.

The cinematography of the film is stunning and captures Robeson's extraordinary life with a combination of archival footage from his performances, family photographs, and dramatizations of his life. One striking scene depicts Robeson's refusal to perform in the face of segregation where the entire African-American audience had to sit in a lousy section of the theater. This scene stays with viewers long after the film's ending.

Overall, Paul Robeson - 20th Century Renaissance Man, Entertainer & Activist is a fascinating and inspiring tribute to one of the most remarkable figures of the 20th century. The film serves as a reminder of the struggles faced by African Americans in the past and the ongoing fight for social justice worldwide. It is a masterpiece of documentary filmmaking that perfectly captures the life and spirit of Paul Robeson.

Paul Robeson - 20th Century Renaissance Man, Entertainer & Activist is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 29 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.