Genre:
Drama
Release Date: 11/25/2003
Sound: DD1
Run Time: 76 Minutes
Flags: Questionable for Children
Distributor/Studio: Image Entertainment
Adapted by
DuBose Heyward from a
Eugene O'Neill play,
Emperor Jones is one of
Paul Robeson's earliest and most powerful leading roles. Railroad porter
Brutus Jones (
Robeson) leaves his girlfriend
Dolly (
Ruby Elzy) in favor of
Undine (
Fredi Washington), but he soon leaves her too.
Brutus is a master manipulator, liar, and swindler who murders his friend
Jeff (
Frank Wilson) over a crap game. He ends up on a chain gang, but escapes to Haiti where the white trader
Smithers (
Dudley Digges) buys his freedom. He then scams his way into a business partnership with
Smithers and becomes rich. He plays tricks on the natives with a gun, proclaiming that only a silver bullet can kill him. The natives believe he is immortal and he declares himself emperor, holding a tyrannical rule over the people. They naturally revolt, and he is forced to escape into the jungle.
Brutus disappears into the woods where he hears voices and sees visions, eventually leading up to his suicide.
~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
