This extraordinary documentary directed by St. Clair Bourne originally aired on PBS as part of the "American Masters" series. It charts the life and artistry of Paul Robeson (1898-1976) who won international acclaim as a concert performer, stage actor, recording artist, and film actor. Raised by his widowed father, a minister, he was a scholar and athlete at Rutgers. After attending Columbia Law School, Robeson plunged into a career in the arts that continued for 40 years. Throughout his life, this black performer identified with the rights of his people and the working-class poor.