🎥 BlackTree TV Saturday Morning Feature: The Liberation of L.B. Jones (1970) Starring Lee J. Cobb, Roscoe Lee Browne & Yaphet Kotto 🎥
This Saturday Morning Feature presents The Liberation of L.B. Jones (1970), a gripping and powerful drama that exposes racism, corruption, and injustice in the Deep South. Directed by William Wyler, this film is based on the novel The Liberation of Lord Byron Jones by Jesse Hill Ford and serves as a harrowing exploration of systemic oppression and the violent realities of race relations in America.
Plot Summary:
L.B. Jones (Roscoe Lee Browne), a respected Black undertaker, finds himself caught in a battle for justice when he seeks a divorce from his unfaithful wife, Emma (Lola Falana). His case threatens to expose a corrupt white police officer (Anthony Zerbe), triggering a chain of events that leads to violence and tragedy. As tensions rise in the racially charged town, Jones’ fight for dignity becomes a symbol of the broader struggle against injustice.
Notable Cast & Director:
🔹 Roscoe Lee Browne – A commanding presence known for Roots, The Cowboys, and Uptown Saturday Night, Browne brings gravitas to the role of L.B. Jones.
🔹 Lee J. Cobb – A Hollywood veteran famous for 12 Angry Men and On the Waterfront, Cobb plays a morally conflicted lawyer in a town gripped by racial hostility.
🔹 Yaphet Kotto – Later known for Alien and Live and Let Die, Kotto delivers an intense performance as an activist fighting for justice.
🔹 Lola Falana – A celebrated actress, singer, and dancer, Falana’s portrayal of Emma Jones adds emotional complexity to the narrative.
🔹 Anthony Zerbe – Known for villainous roles in The Omega Man and License to Kill, Zerbe plays the corrupt and violent officer at the center of the conflict.
🔹 William Wyler (Director) – An Academy Award-winning director (Ben-Hur, The Best Years of Our Lives), Wyler’s take on this civil rights-era drama adds depth and realism to the story.
We’ve selected The Liberation of L.B. Jones for our Saturday Morning Feature as a crucial piece of cinematic history. With its raw storytelling and fearless social commentary, this film remains a powerful reminder of the long struggle for justice and equality.
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Detailed Chapter Marks:
(00:00) – BlackTree TV intro 🎬
(01:30) – A young man arrives in town and is warned to be cautious 🚶
(02:35) – First signs of racial tension as locals question his presence 👀
(06:03) – A loaded gun is found, leading to threats of police involvement 🔫
(07:47) – L.B. Jones seeks legal representation for his divorce case ⚖️
(08:58) – His case is dismissed at first but then reconsidered by the lawyer 🤔
(10:03) – L.B. and his wife’s troubled relationship comes into focus 💔
(13:57) – Growing tension as the divorce proceedings begin 📑
(16:21) – A mother’s haunting memory of past racial violence 🌩️
(17:25) – The first violent altercation as tempers flare 💥
(18:30) – Betrayal: L.B. learns his wife has hired her own lawyer 🧐
(19:35) – Confrontation between L.B. and his unfaithful wife 🔥
(20:30) – The white officer exerts his power and intimidation tactics 👮
(23:54) – The legal team debates how to handle the case 🚔
(26:02) – Flashback to a young lawyer’s conflicted past 📜
(28:06) – Police corruption is exposed as officers manipulate the system 🏛️
(30:55) – Racial injustice in the courtroom: power vs. the oppressed ⚖️
(34:09) – A brutal act of violence against a Black woman shocks the town 😱
(36:08) – L.B. Jones’ defiance and refusal to be intimidated ✊
(39:40) – The officer’s threats escalate, leading to deadly consequences 😨
(41:31) – The undertaker discusses funeral arrangements, foreshadowing tragedy ⚰️
(45:34) – A desperate plea for justice is ignored 🚫
(48:55) – The moment of horror: a fatal confrontation 🔫
(50:06) – The town reacts to the unfolding violence and corruption 😞
(53:48) – The brutal realities of segregation and unchecked police power 🏴☠️
(57:47) – L.B. Jones’ death sparks an emotional reckoning 🕊️
(59:30) – A chilling conversation reveals the lack of justice in the system 😡
(1:05:29) – An unexpected confession changes everything 😱
(1:07:44) – Revenge: The final act of defiance and retribution ⚔️
(1:11:23) – The corrupt system ensures silence as the cover-up continues 🤐
(1:14:23) – The aftermath: will anything change in this town? 🤷♂️
(1:18:02) – The final confrontation and a symbolic moment of defiance 🕊️
(1:21:10) – The film’s powerful closing message on racial injustice ✊
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