The original version of Body and Soul was a nine-reel production. When the filmmaker applied for an exhibition license from the Motion Picture Commission of the State of New York, it was denied approval on the grounds it would "tend to incite to crime" and was "immoral" and "sacrilegious". Micheaux was forced to re-edit the film twice before the commission approved the film, which was reduced from nine to five reels. The surviving copy of Body and Soul is based on this edited version; Micheaux's director cut is considered a lost film. Body and Soul is one of three surviving silent films created by Micheaux, who is credited with making 26 silent productions. Body and Soul holds an 80% approval rating on aggregate film site Rotten Tomatoes. Body and Soul was originally released to cinemas catering to an exclusive African-American audience, and for many years the film was unknown to white moviegoers. In 2000, Body and Soul was presented at the New York Film Festival with a new musical score composed by trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and performed live by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Body and Soul was released on home video in 2016 by Kino Lorber as part of the five-disc Pioneers of African-American Cinema set. References External links 1925 films 1925 drama films American black-and-white films Films directed by Oscar Micheaux American silent feature films Race films Films about rape Films about dreams Films set in Atlanta Silent American drama films United States National Film Registry films 1920s American films 1920s English-language films