The Liberation of L.B. Jones

+ intro with season programmer Karina Longworth

An undertaker seeks a divorce from his wife, against the wishes of a local cop, who just happens to be her lover.

  • Director

    William Wyler

  • With

    Lee J. Cobb, Roscoe Lee Browne, Lola Falana

  • USA 1970. 102min

  • 35mm

  • Certificate

    15

Wyler concluded his 45-year career with his first and only film to centre and empathise with African-American characters. This low-budget drama follows a black undertaker who seeks a divorce from his wife, who is engaged in an abusive relationship with a local white cop. While some details are dated, the film’s depiction of an immovably racist white establishment remains all-too-relevant.

Contains scenes of racial violence, sexual violence and racist language.

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