The original version of Body and Soul was a nine-reel production. When the filmmaker applied for an exhibition license from the Motion Picture Commission of the State of New York, it was denied approval on the grounds it would "tend to incite to crime" and was "immoral" and "sacrilegious". Micheaux was forced to re-edit the film twice before the commission approved the film, which was reduced from nine to five reels. The surviving copy of Body and Soul is based on this edited version; Micheaux's director cut is considered a lost film

Paul Robeson is great as the preacher, but goodness me was it confusing casting him in a double role.