NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: Criterion Blu-ray (February 2024): Criterion have transferred Michael Roemer's Nothing But a Man to Blu-ray. It is cited as being from a "New, restored 4K digital master, approved by director Michael Roemer". The 1080P image looks fabulous; clean, crisp, excellent contrast, depth... It is in the accurate 1.37:1 aspect ratio on a dual-layered disc with a max'ed out bitrate. Nothing But a Man is rendered beautifully to Blu-ray.

NOTE: We have added 58 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE

On their Blu-ray, Criterion use a linear PCM mono track (24-bit) in the original English language. Nothing But a Man has little aggression and has a wonderful soundtrack made up of Motown 60's music by Martha & The Vandellas, (Little) Stevie Wonder, The Miracles (Smokey Robinson), The Marvelettes, Mary Wells and it suits the film's atmosphere impressively in the uncompressed transfer. Roemer acquired the rights from, new label, Motown's owner Berry Gordy for $5,000. Criterion offer optional English (SDH) subtitles on their Region 'A' Blu-ray.

The Criterion Blu-ray offers has a 25-minute interview with Michael Roemer, as an introduction to the director/writer, his work and philosophy. Included is a 22-minute conversation from 2004 between Roemer and co-producer and cinematographer Robert M. Young and there are 1/4 hour's worth of archival interviews with actors Ivan Dixon, Abbey Lincoln, and Julius Harris. The package has a liner notes booklet with an essay by critic Gene Seymour.

Michael Roemer only directed a few fiction feature films; 1989's The Plot Against Harry, 1984's Vengeance Is Mine with Brooke Adams and Trish Van Devere - and, his first, the neorealistic Nothing But a Man in 1964. The latter won two awards at the Venice Film Festival - although it did not do well in the United States until it was re-released... 29 years later, when it was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress. He began teaching at Yale University in 1966 and in 1971 received a Guggenheim Fellowship. He is a remarkable 96-years young today and involved in this Criterion package. Roemer wrote the screenplay of Nothing But a Man (with Robert M. Young) and drew on his own background as a young Jewish boy persecuted by Nazis. The writers traveled to the American South to acquaint themselves with the African-American culture. Nothing But a Man involves Duff Anderson's (Ivan Dixon) life in 1960's Alabama struggling to maintain his dignity, dealing with prejudice and social oppression, and attempting to reconnect with his alcoholic father and his illegitimate son. American jazz vocalist Abbey Lincoln plays Josie - Duff's girlfriend - then wife. She had performed Spread the Word at the 'Late Place Club' in Frank Tashin's The Girl Can't Help It wearing a dress that had been also worn by Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Some will recognize Yaphet Kotto as Jocko. Ivan Dixon directed the Blaxploitation thriller Trouble Man in 1972 but is best known for his role in the television sitcom Hogan's Heroes. Both actors are magnificent here and were both involved in the civil rights movement in the 60s. Nothing But a Man is a sensitive, honest and rare film. I thoroughly enjoyed my viewing experience. Quite brilliant. The Criterion Blu-ray has our highest recommendation.

Gary Tooze