The Emperor Jones (1933)

With his overpowering charisma and deep, captivating voice, Paul Robeson leaves a haunting impression as the conniving, power-mad Brutus Jones in this film adaptation of the Eugene O'Neill play. While African-American critics of the day condemned the story's stereotypes (even while the African-American community itself embraced the film and Robeson), the truth is that none of the characters are really sympathetic, and that especially goes for Dudley Digges as slimy trader Smithers, the only important white member of the cast. The most unsympathetic character of all is Jones, who doesn't care whom he swindles, tricks, or murders to work his way up to influence and wealth. But as hateful as Jones is, Robeson also makes him fascinating. When the Emperor Jones creates his own downfall on the small Caribbean island he rules, Robeson's desperation and horror is chilling to watch (he's also helped in good part by the surreal cinematography of Ernest Haller, and the spooky, midnight-blue tinting of the black-and-white photography). For many years, The Emperor Jones was only available in truncated form because it had been edited for censorship reasons close to its release date (many of the racial epithets were considered extremely offensive). In 2001, the Library of Congress reproduced something close to the version that was originally released in 1933. As a result, this picture -- Robeson's talkie debut, and a minor classic -- can be seen with its full impact intact. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide