Product Description

There were strong racist undercurrents rampant when Spencer Williams’ films were being made, but I recall seeing almost all of them. There was a certain innocence about them that no other director in those times could match. The Blood of Jesus is a simple story of Good versus Evil - of worldliness versus worshipfulness. It was a great inspiration to us back then, because it brings the matter of personal beliefs into hard focus. Spencer Williams appeals as the indecisive country bumpkin, and Cathryn Caviness carries off her role of the uncompromising devotee with accomplishment. The film is fascinatingly symbolic in many areas - the nail driven into the porch’s crossbeam just before the near-fatal accident is a brilliant touch. So is the unobtrusive, yet effective backdrop of hymn singing.

Though less religiously inclined viewers may find this one a bit on the heavy-handed side, The Blood of Jesus from A2ZCDS is a masterpiece of period filmmaking. I am tempted to wonder if modern directors would have the courage to tackle such a topic with comparable panache and forthrightness.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #139470 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-10-03
• Formats: Black & White, Collector's Edition, Flash, Full length, Full Screen, Original recording remastered, Restored, NTSC
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 62 minutes

From the Actor
The multifaceted Spencer Williams excelled as director, playwright, actor and screenwriter. From the earliest days of his career, he carved himself a niche as one of America’s foremost African American filmmakers and dramatists. He specialized in making movies that featured all-African American casts, which therefore found their widest viewership in corresponding audiences. Most of his productions were made on modest budgets and he starred in most of them himself, but this in no way detracted from the popularity of his cinematographic offerings. He is most popularly known for his highly successful Andy and Amos TV series in the ‘50s.

THE PLOT: The film begins with the narrator bemoaning the lack of true Christian Spirit in contemporary times, even while we witness a series of baptisms at a Texan riverside. Deeper waters than the baptismal ones soon become evident - the highly devout Martha (Cathryn Caviness) is among those being immersed. Some in the congregation, most notably Sister Ellerby (Heather Hardeman) have mixed sentiments about it - after all, Martha has just recently married Razz (Spencer Williams) and luckless Razz is certainly not a regular churchgoer. Yet, the beleaguered couple finds active endorsement in kindly Sister Jenkins (Juanita Riley).

It soon becomes evident that more than human issues are at play here. Yet another baptismal; candidate, Luke Williams (Alva Fuller) finds reasons to escape the process for the second time in a row. Evidently, his dedication is being sabotaged by an outside force. When Razz’s hunting rifle accidentally goes off and mortally injures Martha, she is transported to a point between Heaven and Hades - there her devotedness to her Savior is put to the test by demonic Judas Green (Frank H. McClennan), an emissary of Satan (James B. Jones) himself.

About the Actor
A2ZCDS is the world's largest and fastest growing innovative multi-media library. Through its vast and unique distribution network, the company provides historical and educational CDs and DVDs covering thousands of topics to every corner of the globe. The ceaseless research and polling process at A2ZCDS constantly identifies and responds to existing and emergent areas of interests.

As a result of constant innovation, exemplary products and outstanding customer service, A2ZCDS is quickly becoming a household name. It numbers amongst the most trusted, efficient and user-friendly sources of educational and entertainment media on the market today.

Customer Reviews

Thought Provoking
I ordered this DVD expecting to see something like the Passion of the Christ and while that's not what I recieved, what I got was even more interesting.

The movie looks at 20th century racism from tne perspective of the Jesus story. It is a very religious movie, it just decides to take us where it is going from a different point of view.

The acting is good and the film is well shot. As the title woudl suggest its bloody.