Quadroon (1971), also known as The Color of Truth, is a low-budget historical drama and early blaxploitation film set in 1830s New Orleans and starring Kathrine McKee. Directed by Jack Weis, the film explores the racial caste system of the antebellum South through the story of a "quadroon" woman (a person of one-quarter Black and three-quarters White ancestry) living as an enslaved person. It is noted for being one of the first blaxploitation films to focus on slavery, predating more famous and high-budget "slavesploitation" movies like Mandingo (1975) and Drum (1976). Quadroon is a landmark film that confronts the harsh realities of race, identity, and forbidden love in the pre-Civil War American South. The 1971 exploitation film Quadroon was filmed and set on location in New Orleans, Louisiana. The production featured scenes in the French Quarter and surrounding areas, focusing on the 1830s antebellum era and the historical "plaçage" system. Theme: Set in 19th-century Louisiana, Quadroon follows a young creole woman of mixed heritage whose life is shaped by rigid racial caste systems and unjust social hierarchies. As love, loyalty, and family collide, she must navigate a society determined to define her worth by bloodlines rather than humanity. The film exposes the emotional cost of racism while highlighting resilience, dignity, and the struggle for self-determination. Although the acting and production may be subpar, this emotionally charged period drama remains an important cinematic milestone that challenged audiences to confront America’s racial past with honesty and emotional depth. It is a socially significant story dealing with the complicated history of race and caste in America. Storyline: The story follows Caleb, a young Yankee from Boston who arrives in New Orleans and loses his money in a gambling match against a cruel slaveholder named Monsieur Dupree. To support himself, Caleb becomes a tutor for young women of mixed race who are being raised to become "erudite concubines" for wealthy white men. He falls in love with one of his students, Coral (Kathrine McKee), but finds himself in conflict with Dupree, who intends to purchase her at an auction. We do not own the rights to any of this film. This film is being used for historical and educational purposes only. No copyright infringement intended. Black Excellence:

Starring Kathrine McKee, Tim Kincaid, Robert Priest

Dir. Jack Weis