Carmen Jones

This sizzling screen version of Bizet's opera Carmen updated for an all-black cast, stars Dorothy Dandridge, whose vibrant performance resulted in the first Oscar® nomination for a black actress. She stars in the title role as a passionate sexy creature who lures handsome GI Joe (Harry Belafonte) away from his sweetheart (Olga James). Following a brawl with his sergeant, Joe deserts his regiment with the sultry femme fatale. Carmen soon tires of him and takes up with a heavyweight prize-fighter (Joe Adams), triggering Joe's tragic revenge. Helping to set the screen on fire are Pearl Bailey and Diahann Carroll, part of the sensational troupe that makes Carmen Jones essential viewing. (British Film Institute (BFI))