J'irai cracher sur vos tombes (I Spit on Your Grave) (1959)

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Miscegenation, murder and revenge are the themes of this French crime drama set in the steamy American south. Joe Grant is a vengeful light-skinned black who leaves Memphis and moves to a small town after his brother is brutally lynched for attempting to marry a white woman. Joe's skin is so… More Miscegenation, murder and revenge are the themes of this French crime drama set in the steamy American south. Joe Grant is a vengeful light-skinned black who leaves Memphis and moves to a small town after his brother is brutally lynched for attempting to marry a white woman. Joe's skin is so light that he is able to pass himself off as Caucasian and find work in a local bookstore. To get revenge on white society, Joe seduces a rich young white girl and then plots her death. At the same time, Joe discovers that the bookstore where he works is a front for an extortion ring. A short time passes and he finds himself falling in love with the girl. She too loves him until she learns that he is of African descent. Knowing this complicates matters (she is engaged to another), but loving him just the same, she suggests they run away together to avoid the blackmailers. After Joe is beaten by the blackmailers, he decides this is a good idea and together the lovers flee. Back in town, the girls enraged fiance organizes a posse loudly claiming that Joe has abducted the girl and plans to rape her. Tragedy ensues just as the fugitive lovers are about to cross the Mason-Dixon Line. This film is not to be confused with the disgusting mid '70s exploitation film of the same title. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi