Oscar Micheaux's Within Our Gates is the earliest surviving feature directed by an African American. However, this startling film, unseen for 75 years, is far more than a historic curiosity. The 1993 Library of Congress inter-title restoration reveals it as passionate social history, confronting racism head-on through a story of a young African American woman who seeks a Northern white patron for a Southern school for black children. The scenes of lynching and attempted white-on-black rape may be a response to D.W. Griffith's The Birth of A Nation and remains shocking to this day.

It is the first look at the African-American's plight in the early 1900's filmed by a member of its own community. Even then, it was recognized that education is the key to bettering one's condition in life.

Getting the funds for segregated schools was especially difficult. Unless the reverend can raise $5,000 to supplement the $1.49 per child the state supplies, the school will be closed. Sylvia, a committed parishioner, goes north to raise the money with little success. After several adventures, she meets a wealthy female philanthropist sympathetic to her quest. Despite opposition to her donation from bigoted friends, she comes through in a big way.


Actors: Evelyn Preer, Alma Prichard, Flo Clements, James D. Ruffin, Jack Chenault

Director: Oscar Micheaux

Format: NTSC, Full Screen
Subtitles: English
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1


VHS-Video format (79 min.); Originally produced as a motion picture, 1919. Directed by Oscar Micheaux. Reproduction of a single surviving print found in Spain retitled as "La Negra." Spanish with English subtitles.
Location: Duke University (USA)
Lilly A-V Video cassette - CALL NUMBER: 4741