The Man is a 1972 American political drama film directed by Joseph Sargent and starring James Earl Jones. Jones plays Douglass Dilman, the President pro tempore of the United States Senate, who.. The Man Feature film ~ Paramount ~ Released July 19, 1972 ~ 1 hour, 33 minutes Credits ~ Writer ~ Rod Serling wrote both the screenplay and the story, based on the novel by Irving Wallace Director ~ Joseph Sargent Cast ~ James Earl Jones, Martin Balsam, Burgess Meredith, Lew Ayres, William Windom, Barbara Rush, Georg Stanford Brown Story ~ In this political thriller, a series of events result.
When the President and Speaker of the House are killed in a building collapse, and the Vice-President declines the office due to age and ill-health, Senate President pro tempore Douglas Dilman (James Earl Jones) suddenly becomes the first black man to occupy the Oval Office. The events from that day to the next election when he must decide if he will actually run challenge his skills as a.. The Man: Directed by Joseph Sargent. With James Earl Jones, Martin Balsam, Burgess Meredith, Lew Ayres. African American senator Douglas Dillman becomes designated survivor of a tragic accident that kills the U. S. President. Eventually, Dillman becomes the first black U. S. President and attempts to end the bigotry standing in his way.