Key Cast: Evelyn Preer, Flo Clements, James D. Ruffin, Jack Chenault, William Smith, Charles D. Lucas, Bernice Ladd, Mrs. Evelyn, William Stark, Mattie Edwards, Ralph Johnson, E.G. Tatum, Grant Edwards, Grant Gorman
Rating: Not Rated, but this film has graphic scenes that should be seen by mature audiences only.
Genre(s): Drama, Silent
Description________________________________
"Within Our Gates" is the oldest known African-American film to be in existence today.
Famous African-American film director, Oscar Micheaux, directed "Within Our Gates" and this is his earliest film available. The movie was controversial because it shows graphic scenes of lynchings in the South. Because of this, some cities would not allow "Within Our Gates" to be shown.
The movie is about a woman named Sylvia Landry (Evelyn Preer) who moves back to the South because she and her fiancee have broken up. While in the South, she starts helping a minister who has a school for poor Black children. Desperately in need of money, Sylvia decides to go back to the North to try to raise funds for the school.
While there, she meets Dr. Vivian (Charles D. Lucas) who falls in love with her. As he probes to find out more about Sylvia, the horrors of her past unfolds.