REVIEW: ‘Blood of Jesus’ offers portrait of 1940s African-American religious community

The Film Forum in New York City will present several restored films in its Pioneers of African-American Cinema series, which kicks off Sunday, Feb. 14 with a double-bill of The Blood of Jesus and Hell-Bound Train, two religiously themed movies about the consequences of sin, the influence of the Devil and the grace of God.

The Blood of Jesus, directed by its star, Spencer Williams, is a fascinating 56-minute film that follows a married couple through a violent and ultimately redemptive episode in their lives. Williams plays Razz Jackson, a man who would rather go hunting on the Sabbath than attend church. This makes him the gossip subject of the church ladies in town and also open to some ridicule. His wife is Sister Martha Ann Jackson (Cathryn Caviness), a devoted Christian who is a good, kind person.

After Razz comes home with his hunting trophies, a horrible accident occurs in the house. The husband drops his shotgun on the floor, and a bullet is discharged and hits his wife. This sends Martha Ann on a religious journey — sort of like an alternate reality — where she must learn the true ways of God and stay away from the corrupting influences of the Devil (James B. Jones). This journey, while she’s still comatose, is ultimately the means of her redemption (and the redemption of her husband).

Both Caviness and Williams are effective actors who bring a sense of realism and fortitude to their respective roles. Caviness, in particular, receives the most characterization, and she is able to make Martha Ann a person the audience roots for to succeed and survive this episode in her life.

Also among the characters are Sister Jenkins (Juanita Riley) and Sister Ellerby (Reather Hardeman), two of the church ladies who pass judgment on Razz’s hunting and pray over the bedside of Martha Ann. An angel (Rogenia Goldthwaite) stands near the bedside, and Judas (Frank H. McClennan) appears as a man trying to win over the sentiments of Martha Ann.

The movie features many wonderfully sung gospel songs from the Heavenly Choir and the Rev. R.L. Robertson. In fact, much of the movie is set to this religious music with little dialogue. To the background of the hymns, the director and cast let the visuals speak for themselves, and they are easy visuals to follow. Good is characterized by the angel and anything religious, while Judas and Satan are characteristically evil and sinful.

The Film Forum states that The Blood of Jesus is an example of a “race film,” which was funded, written, produced, directed, distributed and often exhibited by people of color. Through a Kickstarter campaign and the restoration help of Kino Lorber and the Library of Congress, several of these films have not only been saved but are now available for public theatrical showings.

Watching The Blood of Jesus is an interesting and engaging experience. It offers a portrait of an African-American religious community told from their own perspective. These characters value their faith, their collective song, their triumph over so many obstacles. The Blood of Jesus and other films in the Pioneers of African-American Cinema series give testimony to a time and place in American history that is important to understand and learn from. These films were made in the 20th century, when discrimination and segregation were a reality, and the horrors of slavery were a not-too-distant memory.

The Blood of Jesus is no doubt an evangelical film to promote the Christian faith and preach against the influence of the Devil. So, in many ways, the film works on two levels: offering a creative look into the early influences of African-American cinema and allowing the audience to see their faith on display.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• The Blood of Jesus
• 1941
• Written and directed by Spencer Williams
• Starring Williams, Cathryn Caviness, Juanita Riley, Reather Hardeman, James B. Jones, Frank H. McClennan, Rogenia Goldthwaite, the Rev. R.L. Robertson and the Heavenly Choir
• Running time: 56 minutes
• Rating: