Customer Reviews

Green Pastures [VHS]

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I admit the first time I saw this film, my skin crawled just a little bit at the accents and stereotypes -- Heaven is a perpetual fish fry!

But as the film progressed and the simple, beautiful vision plays out, it's like the stories triumphs over all the 1930s Hollywood prejudice and takes us places few other films ever seem to approach.

Just to clarify the story ... it's supposed to be how one of the black children, hearing the story of Genesis for the first time, envisions it by placing all the Biblical characters in his or her environment. It's charming and funny and just a fine simple entertainment with some wonderful authentic gospel music ... and then ...

... and then Rex Ingram as "Da Lawd" visits earth to find out why men keep praying to him when he's long ago forsaken them. He meets a soldier named Hezdrel (Rex Ingram in another role) who explains how mankind as discoved mercy ... then he marches off to his death, leaving God standing there, stunned by the lesson he has just learned!

Suddenly, it's not funny or sweet any more but a powerful statement of faith ... a faith that overcomes the worst of Hollywood's prejudices and always leaves me gasping for breath as the scene in Heaven dissolves back to the Sunday School class and into one of the greatest single shots in movie history.

This is a great and powerful movie ... and like so many other posters here, I'm begging for somebody to bring it out in DVD ... preferably somebody like Criterion, which would do it right.

This awe-inspiring film has been one of my favorites since childhood, when I watched it on a Sunday morning that I was too sick to go to church (or did the Devil get in me? ). Full of humor and precious moments, wonderful performances, and simply amazing theatre-like staging; I've grown to appreciate this movie more and more as I get older. The all-black cast rises far above the stereotypes which so easily could have ruined the film, interestingly by seeming to apply the powerful lessons of humility and loving obedience which De Lawd expects.

The memorable scenes are too numerous to record, ranging from the powerful (De Lawd, in plantation-owner finery, strolling through heaven, chanting "Has you been redeemed? Has you been baptized?...") to the hilarious (the angel Gabriel, putting his lips to the horn, as he anticipates De Lawd's wrath).

A wonderful family film.

This is an absolute must see film. As with all art forms there are masterpieces that should be experienced by as many people as possible and missed by as few as possible. This is one of them. It is one of a kind. You will never see anything even remotely aproaching it's unique apeal. Everyone I know who has seen this movie has a different specific reaction, but generally speaking, it has made them all smile in the remembrance of it. And I can think of no higher praise for a movie than that. Don't miss it.

This is a great movie! It's the Bible colorfully told and trust me, the laughs keep coming. You won't be disappointed. You'll want to watch it over and over again. Which brings me to this question: When can we get this on DVD?

Well, Im settling for VHS although I really want it on DVD. This has got to be the best movie of all time...in my opinion of course. I saw this movie some years ago and Ive been looking for it ever since. I was actually on my way to a church revival that night and this movie came on AMC so i watched it as i got dressed. I then found myself debating whether i should go to church late and see the end or go to church on time and see the movie later? This was during black history month so I was sure it would come on again. Well I went to church hoping that Id catch the movie again another time and I never did because..OH WOW! I never caught the name of the movie. Ive spent my day today looking up every old African American movie I could find and I actually found it on someones list. Its a wonderful movie yall, funny as I dont know what although I doubt its meant to be. The vernacular is what sealed it for me. If you want to hear some real serious Ebonics, buy this movie!! For real. Gods name in the movie was Lawd! I wish we could rate higher than 5 stars cuz I'd give this movie a 10!

Although the movie starts off with a high "Uncle Sambo" level, this is quickly forgotten as spellbounding and classic scenes unfold in heaven and earth, with more thought-provoking and truly moving settings and performances than many, many films since. Rex Ingram displays a quiet power, rare sense of humour, and an even more rare sense of humanity as De Lawd. Memorable scenes: the creation (a picknick in Heaven), Noah ("Forgive me for not recognizing you, Lawd. I should have known the glory"), Mozes' last moment, leaving his flock to go into Israel and the last scenes with God desperately trying to understand man. A most human film.

I keep watching this film over & over again. It displays some of the very best cinematography in Black & White film making, I have ever seen.The film encompasses; Drama, comedy, visualizations & tremendous conversation of the old time south. The feeling of watching the all African - American cast, in a true southern depiction & context, is compelling to me. This is the time before the media introduced a rediculous control over what we, as Americans, can watch & enjoy as main stream filming.

I would love to see this & other classics of it's time being replayed on todays television a lot more frequently. To me, todays black film makers are to reluctant to create films of life, in much lesser, simpleminded & wholesome environment. I recommend for all ages,to be a " must see " motion picture.

I first saw this movie as a child, probably aged 5 or six, and I'd never forgotten it. For some reason, I had never been able to catch it on t.v., and as the years went by, it became very sketchy in my mind, but still there. Last night, about 44 years after the first time I viewed it, I had the profound pleasure of seeing it again. It was worth the wait.
The cast is spectacular, the sets charming and beautiful. It tells the story of creation, Adam and Eve, Noah ect, with a child-like simplicity. Often hilarious, sometimes very poignant and moving but always reverent, it illustrates what has given African Americans the strength to survive the tremendous struggles we have faced as a people. A simple, steadfast faith in God, who, for many of us, is as real as the sun, flowers, storms, and just as much a part of our every day lives. It is an awesome movie, and one that I think every one should see, at least once.

I saw this one night on TV and it is worth ordering. It does portray Blacks as Hollywood did in the 30's, and as such, may offend many people with a more accurate point of view. The biblical stories are very well-told, and accurately developed. The singing is very good. It recalls a simpler time of movie making.

I had this movie years ago on VHS and literally wore it out! It is delightful on many levels. This movie is a must-see regardless of age, gender, race, etc. It is one of the very first all-black movies ever produced.Although it is in black and white, it delivers the biblical creation story in a highly colorful and original way. You will SMILE BIG when you watch this film. A good, decent, heartwarming and humorous movie like nothing you have ever seen. Way ahead of it's time! Invite some friends over, pop some popcorn and be ready for a great time!!!