The Man is a 1972 American political drama film directed by Joseph Sargent[1] and starring James Earl Jones.

Secretary of State Arthur Eaton corrects a popular misconception that he is next in the line of succession, who is actually Senate president pro temp Douglass Dilman.

Eaton and his advisers arrive at the Oval Office for a meeting with Dilman, giving him a binder which includes pre-written responses to media questions which support the previous president's policies.

Robert Wheeler, a young black man, is sought for extradition from the South African government for allegedly attempting to assassinate the country's Minister of Defence.

Passion may drive you to the streets to throw a brick, but to buy a gun, plant an alibi and travel 5000 miles and kill a human being is bloodless, worthy of the selective morality of Adolf Eichmann."

The president explains that while some people view political violence as the only solution to present issues, he will continue to rely on peaceful means.

It's an indication of the difficulty I had in relating to The Man that for the rest of the movie, which only exploits ceilings as melodramatic conveniences, I kept wondering what really happened.

About halfway through The Man, one comes to realize that, in its own unwitting way, the film is much more interested in contemplating incompetence than in presenting any ideas about politics, race relations, international diplomacy, personal ambition, courage, or what-have-you.

Rod Serling, who wrote the story and screenplay, has reworked and recut the original novel as if he were a tailor remodeling an old-fashioned suit to conform with current fashions, and Joseph Sargent, whose direction of The Forbin Project I admired, has made sure that it's all in focus.