The Liberation of L.B. Jones is a 1970 American neo noir film directed by William Wyler, his final project in a career that spanned 45 years. The screenplay by Jesse Hill Ford and Stirling Silliphant is based on Ford's 1965 novel The Liberation of Lord Byron Jones. The novel, in turn, was based on events that happened in a Southern town where writer Ford lived. After he wrote the book, he was verbally attacked for writing about the events that had occurred in his town. The motion picture's release added to the controversy, especially in Humboldt, Tennessee, where Ford lived. The film explores racial politics in the South during the Jim Crow era. The plot follows L. B. Jones, the richest black man in his Tennessee county, as he navigates the complexities of his wife's affair with a white policeman. This is a gripping and powerful drama that exposes racism, corruption, and injustice in the Deep South. It is a harrowing exploration of systemic oppression and the violent realities of race relations in America. As tensions rise in the racially charged town, Jones’ fight for dignity becomes a symbol of the broader struggle against injustice. The film stars Roscoe Lee Browne, Lee J. Cobb, Lola Falana, Anthony Zerbe, Lee Majors, Arch Johnson, Yaphet Kotto, Eve McVeagh, Chill Wills and Barbara Hershey in an early role. Synopsis: A black undertaker stands against racism in a small Southern town. Plot: A successful African American businessman in the Jim Crow South has a quarrel with a white policeman, suspecting that he is having an affair with his wife. The policeman's colleagues are seeking to avoid publicity. Release: The film was released March 18, 1970 in 4 theaters in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles and grossed $151,000 in its opening week. In the two theaters in New York, Variety noted that the audience in the opening week was 90% Black. After eight weeks of release, it became number one at the US box office. Awards and Nominations: Lola Falana was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress. 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 Lee J. Cobb, Anthony Zerbe, Roscoe Lee Browne
