Product Details

• Actors: S. Epatha Merkerson, Kim Brockington, Marceline Hugot, Kristy Andersen
• Directors: Sam Pollard
• Format: Full Screen, NTSC
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Studio: PBS American Masters & Bay Bottom News
• DVD Release Date: February 1, 2009
• Run Time: 84 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001QX49MU
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,356 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

WINNER: Best Educational Film in Montreal's Festival Internationale du Film sur l'Arts, 2009; critics across America loved JUMP AT THE SUN: "An exhilarating portrait of an exhilarating woman." NEWSDAY; "Does a fine job outlining Hurston's life and her near miraculous achievements, drawing on an unusually impressive and interesting group of talking heads." NEW YORK TIMES; "A fully rounded, intriguing account of an exuberant, independent woman who, in the words of her mother, refused to 'hide her gleam.' " CHICAGO TRIBUNE; "Continues the revival of interest in this free-thinker who in death has gained stature as a leading literary figure...There's no doubt Oprah would approve..." ORLANDO SENTINEL. The first feature-length film about Zora Neale Hurston (1891-1960), Jump at the Sun premiered nationwide on PBS' American Masters series. DVD EXTRAS: all 90 minutes of film footage Zora shot herself during anthropological explorations of the American South. This home version dvd carries a warning that the film is not for classroom use. Schools and libraries should contact California Newsreel, a non-profit organization.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the Producer/Writer, January 29, 2009

By 

B. B. News "ZoraFan" (Tampa, Florida USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun (DVD)

Full disclosure: I produced this film. It took me 18 yrs. to bring it to fruition. Why, you ask? Because I and my fellow filmmakers wanted this film to be perfect. And perfection takes time. This is not a Youtube video (although we like those Youtube videos), it is a 84-minute masterpiece. It is an entertaining study of a complex woman, designed to not only simplify her story so she can reach a wide audience, but also to bring her to life. I hope you enjoy the film.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Teacher's Recommendation, February 2, 2009

By 

V. Sawicki - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun (DVD)

I used this video last year when I was teaching Their Eyes Were Watching God. I used it as a way to give some spark to a lesson about her life. The video really helps the class understand the time period she lived in as well as her own influence on society. I had taped it when it aired on ch 13 but am about to buy it because I lost it. Absolutely worth it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Film, May 25, 2011

By 

Lynn Moylan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun (DVD)

Congratulations to Kristy Anderson and the producers of this excellent documentary. I found it to be highly engaging, superbly researched, and artfully filmed- truly a masterpiece! As a Hurston scholar and educator, I appreciate the diligent research and quality production that characterize this film. Hurston's life and works are illuminated through lively narration, archival film footage, insightful interviews with Hurston's friends, and commentary from renown Hurston scholars.
This award-winning documentary not only fills a void in available biographical films on Hurston, it sets the standard for any that follow. - Virginia Lynn Moylan, author of Zora Neale Hurston's Final Decade.