If you are looking for a movie with a strong and positive portrayal of a Black man, then you need to see “Nothing But a Man.”
“Nothing But a Man” is about a Black railroad worker named Duff, who falls in love with a pretty schoolteacher in a small town near Birmingham, Alabama. As Duff tries to build a life with Josie, he faces all kinds of pressures that challenge his emotional strength and dignity as a man.
Yet “Nothing But a Man” is not a preachy movie. Instead it is a powerful, uplifting and compelling film that everyone should see.
Outstanding Cast
“Nothing But a Man” has an outstanding cast. Ivan Dixon, who is most famous for his role as Sgt. Kinchloe in the TV show “Hogan’s Heroes” stars as Duff in the movie. He gives a legendary performance in this role. Co-starring with him is jazz singer Abbey Lincoln who plays Josie, the beautiful local woman who captures Duff’s heart. This was Abbey Lincoln’s first film role and one of the few movies that she ever made.
The excellent group of actors in “Nothing But a Man” also includes Yaphet Kotto as fellow railroad worker Jocko, and acclaimed actors Gloria Foster and Julius Harris. Moreover, Esther Rolle and Moses Gunn make their movie screen debuts in this movie with cameo parts.
Realistic Storyline
The storyline is very realistic. The focus of the film is Duff Anderson, a railroad worker. He has spent his life traveling from one small town to another installing railroad tracks. He has no commitments, hangs out with the other railroad workers at night and seems to live a carefree life.
One night, Duff goes into town and through a twist of circumstances meets a pretty schoolteacher named Josie. They date, fall in love and decide to get married. But their relationship is full of complications. Josie comes from a middle class family and her father is a Pastor. Her father, Reverend Dawson (Stanley Greene) doesn’t approve of Duff because he is a railroad worker and did not go to college. He believes that his daughter would be “marrying down” if she married Duff.
In addition to facing class discrimination from his own race, Duff also has to deal with the town’s openly hostile racism. Since Duff refuses to “know his place,” he becomes a major target of the town’s bigoted white establishment. This pressure also creates some problems for Duff and Josie’s marriage.
I Am A Man Deserving Respect
What makes “Nothing But a Man” a particularly compelling movie is Duff’s inner strength and fortitude. He is a man. He refuses to accept that he is less than a man. Duff doesn’t communicate this with a loudspeaker. Instead he says it with a quiet yet determined manner that goes against all stereotypes. Through Duff, you get a deeper understanding of the daily difficulties Black men faced during that time and the various ways that they dealt with it.
Deeper Black Romance
 At the time that “Nothing But a Man” was made, it was uncommon to see a healthy and meaningful relationship develop between a Black man and woman on the movie screen. The romance between Duff and Josie’s is not overly sentimental , but touching, straightforward and, in its own way, refreshing. Ivan Dixon and Abbey Lincoln have a great on-screen chemistry.
Realistic and Uplifting
There’s a lot more to “Nothing But a Man” that we haven’t even touched on that adds to its richness. It doesn’t offer any simple solutions. Yet it has a powerful storyline that will make you think. And you’ll feel good after watching it.
“Nothing But a Man” is an outstanding Black Classic Movie that is in a class all by itself. We highly recommend it.
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