 "Wholesome, Historical, Entertaining, Well Done" | 2009-02-24 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2NJ7VDC4FW9PK |
| This movie is a very quality depiction of the oppression African Americans faced in the Jim Crow Era in the South and the powerful ways they survived and overcame that oppression. Themes of the importance of family, education, and determination shine through as the story of Clifton Taulbert's life is told from birth to 18. It is a fascinating journey to be introduced to the variety of solid people that poured into his life and enabled him to rise up and succeed. |
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| "I Love It!" | 2009-01-17 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2E9AIIQ7AAS06 |
| Watching this video reminds me of where I came from and helps me to appreciate where I am today. It removed all complaints from me! |
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 "A Flash of Color From the Past" | 2008-04-13 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3UFUGTNSHH8QD |
| This movie was very well done. From the casting of the primary actor (a handsome young boy who is groomed at his wise old grandfather's knee) to his family-loyal aunt (the already accomplished actress Phylicia Rashad), this movie invites you into a world that any modern black American would be desperate to escape. The movie starts in the harsh, back-breaking times of old (post-slavery, sweat and dust-coated, and mentally as well as physically oppressive). As one of a million people who watched Alex Haley's Roots as a child, I felt that same frustration, anger, and heartache as I watched a hate-filled Klansman grimace down at our young black storyteller who, in his world of pure childhood innocence, had mistook the Klan demonstration as a parade. A must-see as a 'pushed to the back of the closet' reminder of the past as well as a marker of where we are now and where we must go. It also reminded me of the reason why older persons (of all races) should stop and take the time to guide the children of today in life lessons that are not always displayed in books or classrooms. Again, a vivid must see, even if you have to pause it occasionally to compose yourself. |
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| "GROWING UP IN THE DEEP SOUTH" | 2007-10-07 |
| - Reviewed By baberuth7 |
ONCE UPON A TIME...WHEN WE WERE COLORED - (1995)
RATING - PG for thematic elements including mild violence, language and sensuality.
STARRING - Al Freeman, Jr., Phylicia Rashad, Leon
THEME - Racial discrimination, family, community, growing up in the South.
REVIEWS - Siskel & Ebert (4/4) 'TWO THUMBS UP'
STORY - The film begins in 1946 in a cotton field outside of Glen Allan, Mississippi. A young woman suddenly goes into labor and quickly delivers Cliff, the main character. The rest of the movie is about Cliff growing up in the Deep South from 1946-62. It's the story of Cliff's grandparents and aunt taking responsibility for raising Cliff when the family of his father refuse to have anything to do with him and his young, unmarried mother is unable to do so. It's about a community of African-Americans forced to live separately but (un)equally in a white dominated society where we see Grandad teaching little Cliff how to recognize 'W' and 'C' so he drinks from the correct fountain and uses the right bathroom. It's about a proud community that is willing to work hard and long for meager wages and still not accept charity. It's about a kind, white woman that keeps Cliff in supply of good reading when she realizes 'coloreds' aren't allowed in the library. It's about a community that worships together in a style and form that helps them overcome the daily oppression. And, finally, it's about hope that doing the right thing will eventually be rewarded. There is a feeling that this is probably very much what it was like to grow up in 1950's Mississippi. The only objectionable family scenes might be a brief fight in a bar setting where some sensual dancing between couples takes place and when Cliff and a friend sneak into the burlesque show tent at the circus. None of it is graphic or overemphasized. As one of the characters responded when asked why he returned to Glen Allan to visit, 'to remind me of why I left', so this movie should remind us of why we left discrimination 'officially' behind and why we must work to keep it behind. WWW.LUSREVIEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM
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| "A Thoughtful look at when "we were colored"" | 2007-07-25 |
| - Reviewed By bearcub8 |
ONCE UPON A TIME ..WHEN WE WERE COLORED is a grand and relatively sweeping look at black life in Southern rural Mississippi through the eyes of author Clifton Taulbert from the years 1946-1962.In nearly two hours, we are reintroduced to the one of if not the most degrading pieces of our history as Americans, the times when "colored" and "white" existed in a segregated community.Though there is essentially nothing new for we oldsters to learn that we unfortunately lived through, Tim Reid's treatment of Cliff Taulbert's memoirs is a great reminder of where we were as a country, how far we have come, and how far we still need to go! That which impresses the most in this film is the continued stressing of education.Without knowledge ignorance abounds.This film is suggested viewing for anyone who is a member of an oppressed minority whose civil rights are denied.It is also a strong reminder to remember to help all oppressed people who still struggle.Many of us "once upon a time" were ALL "colored" whether we were or not!
A film for great contrast would be THE NEON BIBLE which chronicles a white boy's life in the same time frame in the rural South.
Excellent companion films would be SELMA,LORD,SELMA,BOYCOTT,GHOSTS OF MISSISSIPPI,and MISSISSIPPI BURNING. |
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| "The way they were" | 2007-07-04 |
| - Reviewed By elmaestro72 |
| This is just an excellent look at growing up in rural Misissippi during the Jim Crow era. It follows a boy from the moment of birth until he has to leave the area to further his education. Mostly it centers on the extended family that supports the young man in his upbringing and the strong role models he has. Al Freeman Jr. and Phylicia Rashad are the two main leads with Richard Roundtree in the best performance of his career as Cleve the iceman and down home philosopher. Isaac hayes and Taj Mahal both make cameo appearances. I teach US History and I show this movie every year along with the Ghosts of Mississippi as counterpoints to each other. As I teach in California, most of my African-American students are totally suprised by the content of this movie. As a last note, Polly Bergen is also wonderful in her role. |
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