Oscar Micheaux's 'Body and Soul' Features Paul Robeson's Film Debut

Oscar Micheaux's silent film 'Body and Soul' (1925) featured Paul Robeson in his film debut, playing a dual role as a corrupt minister and his upstanding brother. The film was a landmark both for its sharp critique of religious hypocrisy within the Black community and for introducing one of the century's greatest performers to cinema. In 2019, the film was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry.