Customer Reviews

A Gathering of Old Men

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Anyone who doesn't appreciate the effectiveness of this movie has never lived in Louisiana. The complicated relationships between the races is perfectly depicted in the characters of Candy, Mathu, Sheriff Mapes, and the Boutans. The book upon which this movie is based is an outstanding work of reality disguised as fiction. The film version does a creditable job of transferring literature to the screen--that is, until the ending. The movie's conclusion is not as effective as that in the book (A GATHERING OF OLD MEN, by Ernest J. Gaines). All-in-all, however, this one is worth seeing!

This is a very poetic, thoughtful, human, often funny, and altogether well-done movie. I highly recommend it. There is hardly any violence in it, and still it is about violence and discrimination in Louisiana in the 70s. Also, it is a good adaptation of Gaines' novel, A GATHERING OF OLD MEN. I haven't the faintest idea why a person would compare this movie with Ed Wood stuff (see review below) - incredible.

A Gathering of Old Men is magnificent on many levels. To start with it has an all STAR cast. While you may not have heard of many of the senior Black actors in this movie, make no mistake about it, they all have a long film career. This movie is a must have if you are to have a complete film library of really great films. It depicts a time in American history that should never be forgotten, a transitional time that happened out of site of many, but was important to all. The civil rights era changed many things, but it was the spiritual change that was most significant. A Gathering of Old Men is a tribute to that change in some of the last hold outs of a dark time in American history.

Ernest Gaines is a writer who just happens to tell a very good story. Subsequently, his output is interesting, educational, historic, and witty at the same time. If one wants a historic look at race relations during the period of "Modern Slavery", then this is the book to read. This book basically tells of one Black Tenant Farmer who has reached his breaking point and refuses to be beaten by the White property owner as a matter of course. It shows that Blacks can come together for a common cause and against a common enemy. It also tells of the interrelationship of Blacks and Whites with some Whites maintaining a superior position through intimidation and unpunished violence, while another side maintains that position through care and compassion, much as the "good" mistress took care of "her people" during the period of sanctioned slavery. This, as all of Gaines' works is very good reading.

I enjoyed the DVD tremendously. The younger generation of Black-Americans have forgotten their heritage. This DvD is a sad story of man's inhumanity to man. It also shows us the beginning of Black-Americans and some White Americans working towards justice.

This is another movie I had never heard of, but it was thoroughly enjpyable. Goof cast, good story.

This movie is great Iv'e watched this move before it came on DVD when it was shown on TV it has all the best actors and I recomend it to anyone, this is a great choice for buying you want be dissapointed.

I read the book long before seeing the movie and they are pretty consistent with each other. Bullies eventually get theirs. I like how all the blacks got together on the shooting. It was wonderfully woven.

I really enjoyed the book but as usual the movie cannot capture the feelings and thoughts of the characters. Otherwise the movie was fair.

I rented this movie(if thats what you want to call it) years ago because of the actors. I've never laughed so hard watching anything like this in my entire life. Words like laughable, unbelievable, putrid, horrible come to mind every time I think about this turkey. Even Ed Wood would have been embarressed. Don't buy it, you should be paid to take it!