Customer Reviews

A House Divided [VHS]

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

 

 

I can't say enough good things about this low-budget gem. Fine acting and a gripping plot make this a must see. Based on the story of a mulatto girl who returns to her father's plantation to take back what is hers, this tale uncovers many an ugly skeleton in America's closet. It shows better than any other drama(Amistad included!), the refined cruelties of slavery and the obnoxious ideology behind it. The girl, Miss Dickson, returns to a post-civil war Georgia beseiged with a bigotry almost as appalling as slavery itself. Denied the land and house rightfully left to her by her slave-master father(superbly portrayed by the stellar Sam Waterson), she enlists the help of a noble lawyer, who dares to serve justice and not Jim Crow. Together, they trudge towards a final victory which takes Miss Dickson back through the ravages and diappointments of time, where ever since childhood, her 'blackness' and mother's identity have been kept in secret. The film does an amazing job of mixing the past with the present, making them appear indivisible. Resented and rejected by the other slaves, she tries to 'pass' into the white world, which ultimately scorns her, once her 'secret' is divulged. The Miss must confront who she is and that means acknowledging and accepting her slave mother. These scenes between mother and daughter are particuarly poignant and moving. The film shows just how much degradation you had to endure if you were a black woman in 19th century America. Perhaps the best performance of the film was that of Julia, Miss Dickson's mother. The dignity of her character still managed to shine, despite all the endless humiliation she had to suffer. Unlike most slave-period dramas, A House dares to show how whites were also prisoners of their own system of prejudice, one that forbid interracial love. But not rape. The film artfully sculpts the amibiguous relationship between Waterson's character, David Dickson, slave owner, and that of Julia. Despite the brutal rape, the nature of his feelings for Julia remain a series of speculation....did he really feel something for her.....shame at what he had done.....affection....respect..... dependence.....we are never quite sure.....the film keeps you guessing. Like a good film should. If you want a great piece of drama that tells the ignominous story of American racism as it really was and unfortunatley, still is, then A House Divided is the one to watch.

I really enjoyed this movie. It is based on a true story. David Dickson is a brave man who willed his fortune to his daughter. His daughter was the product of an affair with his slave. He angered his family and the town that he lived in but justice prevailed and his daughter was giving the fortune that rightfully belonged to her. The movie offers an intriguing view of the times before and after the civil war and it is a great testament to the love a father has for his daughter. This is a great movie worth watching.

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I loved the candor with which the film portrays the characters and struggles they endured in the face of unflinching opposition. Although, these events took place during very racially charged times Miss Julia, Miss Dickson and Mr. Daly quitely and courageously pursued and obtained justice. I was pleasantly and refreshingly surprised to get to the end of the movie and find it based on a true story!

Talk about living history... I've read all the books about this family and I live in the house David built for his daughter Amanda in 1871. I can look out my window and see the spot where David's childhood home once stood. I even met Jennifer Beals when she came to see the house and the land. Although not filmed here, the movie was great - although it did take a little dramatic license. It was known Julia held a very high position of authority, very rare for a woman, much less a black slave woman. It was also apparent David felt much love for his bi-racial daughter Amanda. Only two people know the truth of nature of the relationship between David and Julia that brought Amanda into existence, if indeed David was the father. (He was married for several years and never produced children.) If you're into historical drama, especially dealing with the relationship between slave and slave owner, watch it. If you like the movie, read Woman of Color, Daughter of Privilege by Kent Anderson Leslie for an even more intriguing tale.

This movie was excellent, in fact i would give it 5 stars if it had any war scenes. If you are looking for an action packed movie, this is not the one to buy. If you are looking for a sentimental movie about the civil war, the this IS you movie. It is from the SHOTIME network and is a very racially inclined movie. It has some harsh veiws of slaves. Still I see no reason for the movie to be rated R. It has one sex scence, but for the most part it is clean. The only foul word is 'n....'

The film "A House Divided" is comparable to an excellent television movie. Half of it is a courtroom drama, and the other half is a family drama that centers on a white master, the slave he rapes, and the child that is the result. It is performed convincingly and movingly by all the actors, both principal and secondary. I don't understand why it is not available in DVD. It is, in my opinion, a movie worth owning. For more information on the Dickson family, read the book upon which the film is based.

I enjoyed the movie. I thouht the content was done well. I think all of the character performed well. I especailly like the way Mr Daly or (Charles Dubose) handle himself in the courtroom. He was professional through-out the movie. I'm 55 years Young.55