Product Details

• Actors: Toni Morrison
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Homevision
• VHS Release Date: June 13, 2000
• Run Time: 52 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302957532
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,215 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  #6 in	Video > African American Cinema > African American Heritage > Leaders
  #73 in	Video > Special Interests > Literature & Poetry

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison is one of the leading novelists in the United States. Her work--from The Bluest Eye to Song of Solomon to Jazz--is noted for its vivid imagery and powerful subjects. Her best-known work, though, is Beloved, which was made into a feature film directed by Jonathan Demme and starring Oprah Winfrey. Beloved is the stark tale of a mother who makes a terrible decision rather than see her baby daughter suffer through slavery. In this 52-minute profile, Morrison discusses the inspiration behind her novel (which is based on a true story) as well as the imagery, characters, and language of the work. Interspersed with the interview are dramatic readings from Beloved; images of the time of slavery reinforce the discussion. This video is excellent background for both the novel and the movie, and it adds another dimension to Morrison's work. --Jenny Brown

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The truth of how the soul can survive degradation, June 2, 1999

By	Maxton_Little (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This video should be seen by all americans. The legacy of slavery has never truly been dealt with in America. The effects of slavery on black americans in the past and today is finally examined thoroughly. As such, all black americans must see this to understand and acknowledge their past. Many may find it hard to follow "Beloved". However, through the readings from the book by Morrison and others in this video, the incomparable imagery within the book is brought to the forefront. As a result, the complex issues and concepts within "Beloved" are made easier to understand. I have come to realize that this book should be read aloud to be fully understood. After seeing this video, you will not be able to deny that "Beloved" is one of the most important books of this century. Like no other writer before her, Morrison explores the power of the human soul to soar above persecution and degradation. You will find yourself watching this video repeatedly. The depth of Toni Morrison's discussion, of what I have come to know as the truth, is amazing.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Experience of Toni Morrison: A Writer's Work, November 12, 2001

By	F Clark - See all my reviews

Using Ms. Morrison's experience of the actual writing of and the content of Beloved, this video captures a most amazing discussion of the degradation of slavery as told by the victims of the "peculiar institution."

Ms. Morrison explains and details the apparatus known as the bit and why it was used. This was one of the most oppressive of oppressive instruments used to restrain another human being. As she states,

"It should have destroyed the person so harnessed ... BUT! It did not!" They survived inspite of the attempted degradation of the human spirit.

From the mouth of an enslaved person, in reference to the cruelty of the enslavers, the question is asked: What are these people? You, tell me, Jesus! What are they?

Nothing had prepared me for this indepth discussion of the cruelty of slavery as told by the enslaved in the vivid imagery and knowledge of Ms. Morrison.

My soul was tormented ... I "ran" away. I stopped the video. The truth was too overwhelming at that moment for me to embrace ... I had to "escape."

Initially, I had to watch this video in increments ... take a bite ... chew slowly ... digest ... take a bite ... chew slowly ... digest ...

I am a changed person, in many positive ways, forever, as a result of having experienced this video. For this experience I am thankful ...

As I watched this video, I wanted to reach into the television screen and just hug Ms. Morrison as she: so graciously, so intelligently, so eloquently articulated in details the significant essence of Baby Suggs' sermons: ..

"You must love your mouth, for they out Yonder will not listen to anything that comes out of your mouth. You must love your face, you must love your arms, you must love your hands, you must love your skin, you must love your heart, you must love you ... Because ... OUTYONDER ... they will not."

With the acceptance of these profounds truths, I am freer than I have ever been ... my spirit rises to new heights.

To you, to you, and to you, too:

Purchase, study, and learn from this video. Discuss it with family members and friends. Give it as a gift ... help to emancipate minds ... help to emancipate hearts ... help to emancipate souls ... help to emancipate humanity.

Thanks to Ms. Morrison for agreeing to make and for making this most informative video.

Thanks also to RM Arts for CO-producing with A London Weekend television "South Bank Show" this video.

Produced and directed by Alan Benson. Edited and presented by Melvyn Bragg. (Excellent) Readings from Beloved by Guy Gregory and Bonnie Greer. Video 52 minutes and in color.

Thanks to you for reading this review.