1968's Black Power Jesus on Video

DIGITALLY OBSESSED

Released in 1968

HOLLYWOOD - Black Jesus tells the story of Lalubi (Woody Strode), the leader of a Congolese political party, who is imprisoned by foreign armies with interests in his country, thrown in a jail cell, charged with inciting a riot, and eventually executed on trumped up charges. The story is simple and straightforward, told through the eyes of the man as he undergoes his trial and summary execution. The film makes many attempts to establish Lalubi as a Christ figure, and though the constant biblical allusions are heavy-handed at times (as when Lalubi is betrayed by a former follower for 100 pieces of silver), the clumsy symbolism does little to undercut the power of the film. [link]