This film is part of Rentals

This film is certified

Contains mild violence and racist terms

I accept this guidance

Video Player is loading.

Current Time 0:00

Duration 0:00

Loaded: 0%

Stream Type LIVE

Remaining Time 0:00

Title of error

See Help

Song of Freedom

A black London docker becomes a famous opera singer in this stirring musical drama starring Paul Robeson

Drama 1936 77 mins

Director: J. Elder Wills

Rent for £3.50

Overview

The great black actor, singer and activist Paul Robeson is on fine form as a lowly London-born dock worker who suddenly finds fame and fortune as a world-famous opera singer. Using his new wealth to explore his African heritage, he discovers he's a descendant of royalty.

Robeson is a compelling presence in this unusual and entertaining early Hammer drama, made long before the company became renowned for horror films. It includes such highlights as Sleepy River, delightfully performed as a duet with charming co-star Elisabeth Welch.

Director

J. Elder Wills

Featuring

Paul Robeson , Elisabeth Welch and Esmé Percy

Genres

Drama and Musical

Certificate

Contains mild violence and racist terms

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English

Accessibility

Rent for £4.50

Barrio Boy Barrio Boy

Romance 2022 83 mins Director: Dennis Shinners

A Latino barber embarks on an erotically charged odyssey of self-discovery over one hot summer in Brooklyn.

Rent for £4.50

Small Things Like These Small Things Like These

Drama 2024 99 mins Director: Tim Mielants

Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy delivers a stunning performance as a coal merchant who discovers horrific secrets about his local convent.

Rent for £3.50

Rafiki Rafiki

Drama 2018 83 mins Director: Wanuri Kahiu

Romantic sparks fly between the daughters of two opposing politicians in Wanuri Kahiu’s neon-bright story of forbidden love in Kenya.

Rent for £4.50

2073 2073

Documentary 2024 83 mins Director: Asif Kapadia

Oscar-winning director Asif Kapadia's unsettling drama-documentary delivers a powerful commentary on the state of the world today… and tomorrow.

Rent for £4.50

Who We Love Who We Love

Drama 2021 94 mins Director: Graham Cantwell

Bullied for her sexuality, Dublin schoolgirl Lily turns to her gay best friend for support in this vibrant coming-out, coming-of-age drama.

Rent for £4.50

Only the River Flows Only the River Flows

Crime 2023 102 mins Director: Shujun Wei

Shujun Wei's slow-burn noir draws us inexorably into its mysterious psychological journey.

Rent for £3.50

Chi-Raq Chi-Raq

Musical 2015 127 mins Director: Spike Lee

Spike Lee’s bold and vivacious hip-hop musical restages an ancient Greek battle-of-the-sexes in 21st-century Chicago.

Rent for £3.50

Yardie Yardie

Crime 2018 102 mins Director: Idris Elba

In his thrilling directorial debut, Idris Elba brings to life Victor Headley’s cult crime novel.

Rent for £3.50

Monsters and Men Monsters and Men

Drama 2018 96 mins Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green

Unravelling the aftermath of a police killing of a black man - and how it affects the lives of three separate individuals. With John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman).

Rent for £3.50

Night Comes On Night Comes On

Drama 2018 87 mins Director: Jordana Spiro

After being released from prison, a young African American woman goes in search of her father.

Rent for £3.50

Amazing Grace Amazing Grace

Documentary 2019 89 mins Director: Alan Elliott and Sydney Pollack

Aretha Franklin, at the height of her powers, returns to the music which nurtured her prodigious talent.

Currently unavailable

Premature Premature

Drama 2019 90 mins Director: Rashaad Ernesto Green

Budding writer Ayanna’s life is transformed over the course of one hot Harlem summer, when a handsome and mysterious stranger walks into her life.

Rent for £3.50

The Proud Valley The Proud Valley

Drama 1940 77 mins Director: Penrose Tennyson

Deeply moving mining drama that provided the legendary American singer/actor Paul Robeson with his best British film role.

Rent for £4.50

William Tell William Tell

Action and Adventure 2024 133 mins Director: Nick Hamm

A peaceful huntsman is thrust into the heart of the resistance following an Austrian Empire invasion, in this gripping retelling of a timeless legend.

Rent for £4.50

The Crime is Mine The Crime is Mine

Thriller 2022 103 mins Director: François Ozon

François Ozon’s witty 1930s farce about a penniless actress who finds fame while on trial for murder, featuring a riotous performance from Isabelle Huppert.