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Beau Bridges, Carl Lumbly, Lorraine Toussaint. Sarny, a 12-year-old slave girl, faces a bleak future until Nightjohn arrives and takes Sarny under his wing. Risking his life, Nightjohn secretly teaches Sarny to read and write. Words are freedom," he says-but even freedom comes with a price. 1996/color/96 min/PG-13/fullscreen.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
135 of 136 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.)
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.)
51 of 53 people found the following review helpful
By Oni Lasana
Format:VHS Tape
I love this movie, the first time I saw it was at a showing given by the Delta's, a African American female sorority at the International House in Philadelphia. It was like history coming alive before my eyes, the lesson it taught on the value of education was unforgettable.
When the lights went up, we were engaged in a dialogue led by poet, Sonia Sanchez on the impact of what we viewed and how relevant it was to all educators and students today.
I could only keep asking how to purchase the video!! A few days later I visited my video rental store and their it was on the shelf...it was sold to me for $10!
I have since purchased over half a dozen [...] and given as gifts to lovers of American history. I also present workshops on slavery, Civil War and Literature in many schools, that connect to my storytelling work, featuring the works of Paul Laurence Dunbar. I often recommend this video to the teachers to show in the middle to university level before I come to the classroom or assembly.
It is realistically powerful! Excellent acting by all! Beautiful visuals and a great storyline from the cabin to the big house.
When the lights went up, we were engaged in a dialogue led by poet, Sonia Sanchez on the impact of what we viewed and how relevant it was to all educators and students today.
I could only keep asking how to purchase the video!! A few days later I visited my video rental store and their it was on the shelf...it was sold to me for $10!
I have since purchased over half a dozen [...] and given as gifts to lovers of American history. I also present workshops on slavery, Civil War and Literature in many schools, that connect to my storytelling work, featuring the works of Paul Laurence Dunbar. I often recommend this video to the teachers to show in the middle to university level before I come to the classroom or assembly.
It is realistically powerful! Excellent acting by all! Beautiful visuals and a great storyline from the cabin to the big house.
I gave the last one away to a friend who is working on a Slavery Museum here in Philadelphia, so I keep ordering more!
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This is a beautiful story about the power of reading. The film gives a moving insight into the condition of slavery in general and those who tried to open the door to literacy in particular. It is wonderfully acted, directed, and written. I showed it to my 8th grade reading class and they were enthralled. (And it isn't easy to enthrall 8th graders these days) Once you see it you will never forget it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
POWERFUL FILM
INSTILLS THE SIGNIFICANCE AND POWER OF LEARNING TO READ! A MUST HAVE IN ANYONE'S EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Published 9 days ago by Glover, a LOVER of books
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my favorites
a way to get students interested in reading. They see how the main character fights to read and get inspired themselves.
Published 27 days ago by Baroness
5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible!
Touching. I will never forget this movie. I will tell everyone that I know
about this movie. Everyone in the United States deserve the opportunity
to view this movie.
about this movie. Everyone in the United States deserve the opportunity
to view this movie.
Published 1 month ago by Reader In Maryland
5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing
I wish there were more movies like this one. I want to know more about the life of slaves. I have yet to see enough movies about the experience of slaves in the south.
Published 1 month ago by Benjamin Gottlieb
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Story About The Importance of Education
The story is about a young female slave Sarny, who had a thirst for knowledge. She meets John a slave who escaped to the north but returned to the south to help education other... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jazz1152
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT
SHIPED VERY FAST, THE PRODUCT PLAYS GREAT, NO ISSUES AT ALL, REAL IMPREESED WITH HOW FAST IT WAS. JUST GREAT!!!
Published 3 months ago by Khary Tolliver
1.0 out of 5 stars
Dissappointed
Bought this to show in class after reading "Nightjohn" Class enjoyed the book but the movie did not follow most of the story and the movie quality was only so-so.
Published 5 months ago by elaine meader
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Power of Words
NightJohn is a movie that has very realistic characters and teaches us just how important it is to gain knowledge.
Published 5 months ago by Emerald
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quite Unique
The only well-known actor in it is Beau Bridges, who plays Clel Waller, the owner of Sarny and Nightjohn. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Barbara Frederick
5.0 out of 5 stars
A CHARLES BURNETT FAVORITE
Night John. Though, this movie was adapted by a book written from a white liberal point of view it was a wonderful piece of art. Read more
Published 13 months ago by T. Johnson
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