It's a cynical, satirical drama set in 1925 rural Georgia, telling the story of a crooked preacher in a small African American congregation. Paul Robeson made his film debut in this picture. Micheaux produced "Body and Soul" for African Americans; thus, white audiences did not see it.
Isaiah T. Jenkins (Paul Robeson) is an escaped prisoner in the fictional town of Tatesville, Georgia. He drinks, gambles, and tries to get money from members of his congregation. He associates with the owner of a speakeasy (this is during Prohibition) and his former jailmate (Lawrence Chenault).
Two members of his congregation are Sister Martha Jane (Mercedes Gilbert) and her daughter, Isabelle (Julia Theresa Russell). Martha Jane survives by doing laundry for people and has saved a sum of money she has hidden in the family Bible. Isabelle is in love with Sylvester Jenkins (Paul Robeson), who happens to be Isaiah's upright twin brother and an aspiring scientist.
The film follows Isaiah's efforts to get Martha Jane's money and his aggressive pursuit and manipulation of Isabelle. A plot twist at the end doesn't really follow the rest of the movie. New York authorities heavily censored the film, reducing its length, and only the edited version survived. It's unclear what Micheaux may have genuinely intended.
"Body and Soul" has great historical value because of its niche production and intended audience. Robeson has a strong film presence, as do Mercedes Gilbert and Julia Theresa Russell. A worship service scene near the film's end is quite remarkable. However, the production is not polished, and the acting of secondary characters is weak.
Silent films are genuinely a different genre.