Nothing But a Man

1964

1 hr. 32 min.

Drama

List

98%

48 Reviews

Tomatometer

88%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

African-American rail worker Duff Anderson (Ivan Dixon) has left his 4-year old son with a nanny, and now drifts through life with little ambition. Duff's outlook on life changes when he meets schoolteacher Josie Dawson (Abbey Lincoln), a gentle preacher's daughter. Although Josie's father (Stanley Greene) disapproves of Duff's lifestyle, the two eventually marry. Duff and Josie struggle to hold on to their marriage as Duff must face up to the oppressive racism of 1960s America.

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Critics Consensus

With calm confidence and a strikingly naturalistic approach, Nothing But a Man tells a quietly powerful story of Black American lives.

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Audience Member

The worst drama ever, LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

delysid d

this is a great movie

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/06/22

Full Review

s r

A first rate independent drama based in Alabama and was about blacks coming up against racism. It was sad and beautiful.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The acting performances are excellent by every actor. The black and white cinematography is excellent. The story is simple and very good. But it is the truth that it tells, that makes this a must watch movie. Even about 100 years after the civil war when this was made, blacks in the Unites States were still lynched, oppressed, segregated, patronized and treated as inferior, not only in, but uniquely in the south. 50 plus years after this film, things have improved greatly in some ways. But to think that the mentality that underlies 250 years of slavery, and 100 plus years of overt oppression is gone would be naive. Ivan Dixon went on to be in Hogan's Heroes not long after this film, and then did much of his work behind the camera as a director in television for several more decades. But this was probably his best acting of his career. This may have been Yaphet Kotto's first credited role on film. Abbey Lincoln's performance is also outstanding. Please watch this if you have a chance. I echo Peter Bradshaw's professional critic review.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Greg H

Firstly I was amazed that I had never even heard of this movie until I came across it one night on TCM. I am 52 years old and consider movies my hobby! It has an unbelievable cast of familiar faces and such an understated story. The performances are subtle and real. I almost felt it was a documentary. This is no shiny, polished Hollywood story. I don't think this movie gets enough attention. It really captured a part of American history. When it was over it made me feel like I had missed something because I hadn't seen it when I was younger.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/20

Full Review

Audience Member

Heartwrenching and heartwarming. A powerful film addressing the difficulties in being a black man in America and connecting with others.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

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Michael Roemer

Director

Ivan Dixon

Duff Anderson

Abbey Lincoln

Josie

Gloria Foster

Lee

Julius Harris

Will Anderson

Martin Priest

Driver

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Joseph Gelmis

Newsday

It is precisely this feeling of calm that makes it such a totally credible, fine and true picture.

Jan 31, 2022

Full Review

Margo Miller

Boston Globe

Nothing But a Man is a great movie. It has a universal story. It is superbly acted. It keeps to a point of view, something rare in American film making.

Jan 31, 2022

Full Review

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Nothing But a Man is a minor masterpiece and one of the most important American movies in recent years.

Jan 31, 2022

Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

masterful in its subtle drama and commitment to a neorealist-style depiction of lived reality

Rated: 4/4

Mar 27, 2024

Full Review

Scott Nye

Battleship Pretension

The film inherits a lot of its texture and pacing from Italian neorealism, approaching its setting honestly, realistically, and recognizably.

Feb 20, 2024

Full Review

Judith Crist

New York Herald Tribune

Nothing but a Man is a fine film -- a first one that sets a towering standard for its makers.

Aug 15, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

African-American rail worker Duff Anderson (Ivan Dixon) has left his 4-year old son with a nanny, and now drifts through life with little ambition. Duff's outlook on life changes when he meets schoolteacher Josie Dawson (Abbey Lincoln), a gentle preacher's daughter. Although Josie's father (Stanley Greene) disapproves of Duff's lifestyle, the two eventually marry. Duff and Josie struggle to hold on to their marriage as Duff must face up to the oppressive racism of 1960s America.

Director: Michael Roemer
Screenwriter: Michael Roemer, Robert M. Young
Production Co: DuArt Film and Video, Nothing But a Man Company
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Sep 28, 2004
Box Office (Gross USA): $12.4K

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