Nightjohn
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Movie Reviews of Nightjohn
Movie Review: Good but sad history lesson
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent film, very well done. The acting and everything else about it puts you right in the middle of the story with them, as if it's happening NOW. The movie evokes feelings of shame that white people could ever treat other human beings who are also children of God, in such disgraceful ways. How ignorant we whites were! This is a movie everyone should see, as it's an outstanding history lesson for all. There are no English sub-titles, which disappointed me, but it is "closed-captioned", which I don't understand. There is nothing to click on at the beginning to activate that feature. Therefore, I missed some of the dialogue, which I could HEAR well enough, but I have difficulty UNDERSTANDING what is said if the speaker does not enunciate well. I have ordered the book by the same name on which the movie is based, which should clear up that little problem for me.
Beau Bridges is totally convincing as the evil plantation owner who mistreats his slaves, who are so realistic in their roles I found myself yearning to put my arms around them for comfort!! "Nightjohn" is a slave who sacrifices his freedom in order to remain on the plantation to teach a little 12-year old girl slave and others to read and write, which is punishable by death if caught. The movie is full of action and under-the-surface emotion on the part of the slaves. The spirit of it is so realistic that at the end, I had to jerk myself back to 2008 reality.
This film reminds us of the tremendous power of words. That is why slave "owners" were so determined to refuse education to their slaves, to keep them in subjection, demanding obedience in every instance. As teacher Nightjohn explained to his fellow-slaves, "Words are freedom."
I would not recommend this movie for those under 12 yrs. old. It is marked "PG-13" for some violence and cussing, but is a must-see for adults and teens.
Movie Review: Stands on its own two feet
Summary: 5 Stars
African-American auteur Charles Burnett is best known for neorealist dramas like _A Killer of Sheep_, but his first foray into television is widely regarded as his masterpiece. The New Yorker's Terrence Rafferty proclaimed _Nightjohn_ the "best American movie of 1996." I agree.
The plot concerns Sarny, a twelve-year-old slave girl who learns to read, and uses her knowledge to expose and undermine the plantation power structure. Performances are excellent -- newcomer Allison Jones is especially good as Sarny -- and Burnett's direction is honest and forthright. Although _Nightjohn_ has a strong pro-education message, it is conveyed with plenty of suspenseful drama and a bare minimum of preachiness. Family filmmaking doesn't get better than this.
The _Nightjohn_ DVD, like the laserdisc edition before it, presents the film in its original full-frame ratio without supplements or bonuses. The transfer and sound are adequate -- and given the price, that's about as much as anyone can reasonably expect.
Note to parents: For a film that features no profanity, no sex or nudity, and only a few instances of onscreen violence, the PG-13 rating on this DVD seems excessive. _Nightjohn_ is not for young children, because it strongly suggests the horror and brutality of American slavery. But I'd recommend this film for ages 9 and up, with parental supervision. (Be prepared for a long, thoughtful discussion afterwards.)
Movie Review: INSPIRATION FOR EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Summary: 5 Stars
Nightjohn (Carl Lumbly--M.A.N.T.I.S.)gives up his hard won freedom to return to slavery for the sake of teaching letters to other slaves of the south. It costs him dearly, as it did in real tales of the ante-bellum south. A young slave girl, Sarny (Allison Jones), knows the value of education and learns her letters and numbers from John, a child, and her own hard struggles in self-teaching. It works but also eventually costs Sarny something, but she, like Nightjohn, has something no bad plantation owner can take away or sell. Letters!
I can't speak for the book by Gary Paulsen, or accuracy of adaptation, but this is a FANTASTIC DVD that if family friendly and should be shown to students to encourage them in their pursuit of knowledge to their highest potential. Older people, like me, can simple enjoy the heart-warming story.
There are a very few violent situations, treatment of slaves, that is primarily indicated and leading to, but not shown on screen. It has no bonuses, not even subtitles for the 'southern English' accents.
This film was created in connection to Disney and Hallmark so that almost guarantees a worthy 5-star production. It comes across as very realistic, quite believable, and a solid gold message not often found in southern plantation period films. It's all about freedom, education, and goodness in people.
A sixth star should be awarded for the VERY REASONABLE PRICE.
Movie Review: Superb Production
Summary: 5 Stars
I think, not having read the book, which this is truly a wonderful production. I also understand that the book must be quite different so if you have read the book please expect some difference as it is quite normally the case that when you read a book - the following movie does not meet expectations. I make this comment based on a reviewer that doesn't not like the movie, but basing feeling on the book - which may be fair, or unfair.
So, to reiterate as a viewer with no expectations based on the movie - brilliantly stunning and educational. My 8 year old watched this and also could feel lessons being unraveled. She liked the power of literacy and brought select sections to her class to share at school.
I would not just show this to young kids without viewing it and considering the kids, the ecology of such a decision would simply be wrong - but if you feel fit - a child can get a lot out of this movie. Well done !
Movie Review: Excellent Film for Middle School or HIgh School
Summary: 5 Stars
I teach pre-service teacher candidates who will be middle school and high school English teachers. I use this film in my course on Adolescent Literature. I encourage them to use this film in their middle and high school classes. This book and film can be used to help pre-teens and teens understand and discuss the cruelty of slavery. The film ends on a hopeful note and underscores the power of literacy. It is short enough to be shown in two sections and it is based on a book by an excellent young adult author, Gary Paulsen.