Editorial Review

This 1973 television movie about 110 years of American history as seen through the eyes of a black woman from Louisiana (Cicely Tyson) is a terrific achievement, a window onto racism from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement. Tyson gives a career performance as the title character, whose personal life is inextricably woven into the fabric of the African American struggle for equality. A mixture of the sentimental and the unflinching, this is the kind of educational experience that fully engages a viewer. Read more

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Reviews (30)

The Role God Wanted Cicely Tyson to Play
Much has been said about the role that network television news played in shining a spotlight on Bull Connor and the rest of the racists in the Old South of the Fifties and Sixties, and those observations are correct. By the late Sixties, with the passage of landmark Civil Rights legislation and grudging acceptance by some that change was here to stay, real barriers began to be broken and doors opened. But, like all seismic shifts in culture, change would have to be reinforced to make it complete.
Great To See It Again
Great to see it again after all these years and the DVD Extras were just wonderful. Five Stars to a well deserved release. Thanks.

IF Movies Were Gem's This ONE IS A Flawless Beauty
This movie moves me to tears everytime I am honored to see it.The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman ~ Cicely Tyson is as real as television or movies can get.The acting is so trueful and understated allowing the shear power of the subject matter presented to reach up and envelope the viewer.The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman movie can change the coldest of bigoted hearts if you allow it to do so.The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman teaches without preaching.This movie is a beautiful strong black woman's unflinching look at a lifetime of the most hiddious ugliness possible in the hearts of so many in her community. Fiction Mrs Jane Pittman defeated with charm grace and defiant dignity the most potent bile hate and evil people in her world could muster and yet she rises above it all with a humble quiet dignity lost to so many in todays world.
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Reviews (3)

Could have just bought an AUDIO cassette!
This video is very "skinny" on actual video footage of Malcolm. It's well done as far as the quality of the footage (audio and video), however, you could buy an audio cassette and in some ways get much more for your money.I was hoping for a series of full speeches and interviews but what I got was short clips disbursed between audio played over civil rights movement footage. Superb speaking, good clips, should have been more
Malcolm X was as close as the 20th century gets to a master of all the aspects of rhetoric, from tight logic to raw power of delivery, and from shrewd audience analysis to deep pathos.These speech clips give you achance to see why.Several major speeches are represented, and there areespecially good clips from the Jesse Gray rally and from hisprobably-best-single speech, "the Ballot or the Bullet" (AudubonBallroom March 29 1964).Editing is smooth and intelligent -- andexcessive, because there could easily have been 20 instead of 10 minutesout of "Ballot or Bullet", and there is only one clip from one ofhis many speeches on Islam, where at least three would be needed torepresent the major periods in his thought.His speech against the draftand against enlisting is excellent, also; for a good example of how fine hewas at extemporaneous work, see his replies to televisioninterviewers. Good Material (short video)
For people looking for archival footage of Malcolm X -- this is a good start. The video features film and audio of the great leader Malcolm X -- mostly as excerpts from some of his famous speeches. While the video isgreat because it is packed solid with Malcolm X and no supplementarynonsense, it is very short, at 41 minutes -- the film will end long beforeyou want it to. I can't say this video gives a great overview of Malcolm X,but it is definately good to have if you've never seen him in video orheard some (parts) of his speeches. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie    3. TV Shows   

Editorial Review

In the opening minutes of Read more

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Reviews (32)

Thank youPam for aBlaxploitation classic!
Maxim magazine lists Coffy as number 7 on its list of the 50 best B-movies of all time, and there can clearly be no mistake about its status as a B-movie. Pam Grier shines in this hilarious action-packed blaxploitation flick where she first got her name as a 'black pin-up queen' during the early 70's. It is apparent after watching this film that no one remembers this for the bad-acting and dialogue, but for Pam Grier herself she is one mean sister.
My Favorite Movie...
This is probably my all-time favorite film, and I think it's because everything seems to work right: the atmosphere, the music(especially the title song "Coffy" with the classic refrain "Coffy is the color/Of her skin"), the gags, the actors, Pam Grier, everything. I especially like director Hill's choice to film some of the sleeziest parts of Los Angeles in order to tell the story; we see Watts, downtown, Malibu.
PAM GRIER IS FABULOUS!!!! A GODDESS!!!!
This, together with "Foxy Brown", are my two favorite Pam Grier films. Pam Grier kicked butt on both films. Not only she is a great actress, she was and still today IS a total sex goddess!!!!"Coffy" always gets me in the end. After all these men used her, and abused her, after she gets her revenge, kills them all, and at the final scene, the picture of Pam walking alone at the beach, and the song, always gets me. There are times in our lives that in one way or another, we go thru that.
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Reviews (3)

Another testament to Dr. King's legacy of greatness
I first saw this documentary air on television. I knew then how important it was that I add it to my vast CD and DVD collection. The film itself is a brief but, informative look into a movement that was led by one of the greatest figures of our time. Just when I thought I knew everything there was to know about the life of Dr. King; along comes yet another documentary that contains a few interesting facts that I had no knowledge of. A true disappointment.
Do not purchase this DVD.It doesn't even have the March on WAshington speech in its entirety.I thought that it would be equal in quality to the "Montgomery to Memphis" documentary of which I have an old copy.It wasn't even remotely close.So take my advice.Pass on this purchase and hope that some day there will be a DVD version of the original "Montgomery to Memphis" video.

Keep searching!
Well I purchased this video believing that I would get a better perspective on Dr. King's speeches, but I was somewhat disappointed. First, this tape is recorded in EP/LP (long play) speed. Therefore it is easily visible to notice the inferior quality of the recording. The documentary is only a hour long, there shouldn't of been a reason to apply it in long play mode. I was appreciative of the time spent on his second triumph-the war on povery and his staunch opposition to the Vietnam War. But when the video gets near the end and ventures on the Memphis sanitation workers strike in March/April 1968. You see footage from his 1966 Chicago equal housing campaign. Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

Michael Jordan had won two championships and lived through two small scandals when this documentary-lite was made in 1993. During his 1991-1992 season, the unauthorized book Read more

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Reviews (6)

Review On Air Time
This video sends chills through my body when I watch it.It shows Michael at his best and in the prime of his leaping days.This video is a motivation to me, I try to put it on every morning when I wake up.I strongly reccomend this video.

IF you like Mike you will like Airtime
Airtime came out after the Bulls second championship, during a time when Jordan was being touted as the greatest player that ever was just preceding the final season before his first retirement. What is captured here is the last of the youthful Jordan who beat you with speed because he didn't have to out think you. This video is only second to Micheal Jordan's playground in capturing the athletic marvel that Air Jordan possessed. Whether you are a basketball -or- Jordan enthusiast or impressed by the things Micheal Jordan could and did do on the court, I recommend this video. The people at NBA Entertainment packaged it so that it is not some romp for enthusiasts only. Quite entertaining. Expect to see Micheal Jackson, as well! Hey, maybe that works for you, eh 8-)

It's air time
"Air Time," like all Michael Jordan videos, is awesome and scores a thundering slam dunk.It has a lot of Jordan's best gravity-defying shots and dunks, but it has a lot more than just highlights.Out of all the Michael Jordan videos I've seen, this one has more about Jordan as a person than any of the others.You'll see him spending time at home with his family, playing golf, and off the court at the Barcelona Olympics in '92.It also has a lot of insight from Jordan himself on what it's like to be a superstar, what he thinks of his friends in the NBA, and he talks about what he thinks of himself when it comes to basketball and as a role model.Read more

Subjects:  1. Basketball   

Editorial Review

This little-seen, 1947 drama is a treat for jazz fans, thanks to an otherwise creaky, if nobly intentioned story built around the music's Crescent City genesis that provides an ample excuse to turn the camera on authentic jazz greats. Nick Duquesne (Arturo De Cordova) is a Bourbon Street charmer whose gambling club provides the mythic stomping grounds for none other than Louis Armstrong, whose vocalizing sweetheart Endie, played by none other than Billie Holiday, proves no slouch herself. A newly arrived debutante, Miralee (Dorothy Patrick), arrives in New Orleans and falls first for the music and then for the roguish but ultimately gallant Nick. The movie follows knee-jerk plot machinations revolving around her family's efforts to excise Nick from her life, her own dream of mingling jazz and classical music, and the gambler's transformation into a jazz promoter.Read more

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Reviews (6)

A jazz enthusiast must see
I am so very glad I bought it, as a person who loves great music and provocative movies, with love as a theme, in all vernaculars (except hip-hop), and a jazz enthusiast at heart it's a love story dotted with great musical contributions from the authentic jazz greats, Louie Armstrong and Billie Holiday to name a few.

Forget the story!
The film itself it trite and inconsequential. Buy this for the music alone. It's a delight to see Louis Armstrong in such a casual environment, with so many jazz legends, not to mention one of Billie Holiday's rare movie appearances. This DVD is honestly a treasure.

Great footage of many early jazz legends
I have always found jazz performances much more captivating live rather than recorded, and although I can't travel back in time and see Louis Armstrong play during his prime, this video is the next best thing.Read more

Subjects:  1. Movie    2. Musical Features    3. Musicals    4. Musicals & Cast Recordings    5. Musicals (Theatrical)   

Editorial Review

Maya Angelou, one of the most prominent literary figures of the 20th century, grew up during--and became a vital part of--one of the most volatile periods of American history. The inspiring, tragic, outrageous life of Maya Angelou could be the subject of an entire college course, but this video serves as a terrific first primer. This Read more

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Reviews (1)

EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN
Maya Angelou has moved this nation with her poetry. Her voice has soothed our hearts, challenged our minds and called us to live life to its fullest. We know about her life from her intimate biography, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, and its subsequent sister volumes. Intimate Portraits gives us the honor of going into the personal lives of women who moved the world. In this series we get the opportunity to listen, look and take in the life of Maya Angelou.Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

Perhaps one of the greatest lights ever to shine on late-night television, Eddie Murphy has gone on to well-deserved international superstardom.Check out his earliest television work on Read more

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Reviews (38)

Falls Short!
This DVD fell short of the quality of the original VHS version.There were so many great clips left out.I can sum it up in one sentence:More Eddie, less Buckwheat.

Not as funny as I remembered
When I saw this DVD- I just had to get it, because my husband and I remembered how hilarious that one sketch was - the one where he pretends to be a white man.But after seeing it again after all these years, I must say that our society has "outgrown" its humor.It just isn't as funny because we've all grown to accept much edgier comedy, with the likes of Dave Chapelle, Carlos Mencia, etc.It still was amusing and brought back good memories from back in the day, but it just wasn't as hilariously shocking as it once was.

Saturday Night Live: The best of Eddie Murphy
The msde was received by due date in excellent condition! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comedies    2. Movie    3. TV Shows    4. Television   

Editorial Review

Pam Grier, the voluptuous queen of blaxploitation movies (and the foxy title character of Quentin Tarantino's Read more

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Reviews (14)

Foxy Brown Rocks!
This is a great 70's movie! Pam Grier looks beautiful and plays this tough girl part perfect. I love the music and Intro to this film along with the cool clothes! This is a fun movie to watch lots of laughs. I loved it when Foxy pulled the gun out of her Afro, she is too cool! She is like Charlies Angels and Police Woman, Girl Power!

Grier is outstanding in this crime thriller
"That's my sister, baby--and she's a whole lotta woman!" That's how one character sums up the title character in "Foxy Brown," a crime thriller written and directed by Jack Hill. Pam Grier plays the title character, whom the title song promises is "super bad." Hardly a Great Film, But Enjoyable and Action-Packed
With better direction and acting, I think *Foxy Brown* could have been an awesome film. As it stands, it's pretty much just a decent plot filled with distractions caused by a parade of terrible acting and outrageous '70s fashion (the latter of which, however, is really almost reason enough to see the film).Read more

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Reviews (25)

Funny!
No, this film isn't meant to be funny.But it is anyway!Rudy Ray Moore is "The Avenging Disco Godfather", a heroic...D.J.?Very odd, and quite weird as well.The story centers around drugs (go figure), and the young people who get high have weird visions about...basketball (see, I told you it was weird).
Laughed so hard, made my side hurt.............
Man,lemme tell you. This movie is funny WITHOUT a beer. If you're expecting a high quality Soul Cinema picture, with somewhat decent resolution level & clarity ( i.e. Willie Dynamite, Shaft, etc ) this ain't it. The lighting in this movie is terrible ! LOL !!! The dialogue is muffled, the editing sucks and the acting is incredibly hilarious ( though it wasn't meant to be ). Like some of the other reviews attested, this mug is funny.
Rudy Ray Moore Is The Greatest Man That Ever Lived
I highly recommend all Rudy Ray Moore movies, especially "Petey Wheatstraw, The Devils Son In Law." His movies are some of the absolute greatest things ever made. ... Read more

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Reviews (8)

Blaxploitation meets Sci-Fi
This movie is the pinnacle of Blaxploitation films.The lead character is a black man who is wrongfully imprisoned and then cruelly experimented on in jail.When he gets out, he has a unique Pinnochio-esque talent. But, it's not his nose that grows...think lower and longer (ha, ha).I could not stop laughing as he killed his enemies with his "secret weapon".This movie is not meant to be taken serious, but it accomplishes something the other Blaxploitation films of this time did not...a truly unique storyline.

Whuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ?
All the reviewers over here are spot on... This is one film that has to be seen to be believed. Disjointed narrative is an understatement... You get the sense the film was made on the go and when the director realized it was going nowhere came up with a really clever little plot twist... Anton Checkov once wrote a great dramatic rule :If there's a gun in the first act, it is bound to go off in the second. And in this film, if there's a severed member in the first part its bound to... well I hope this isn't a spoiler... grow back and murder people in the second. - - A great idea for Camp sci-fi, but actually the film is mostly standard fair urban action, though a bit sleazer than many of its more famous counterparts....and you have to sit through 90 minutes of classic BAD (yet charming, engaging and funky) blacksploitation until the big scene.... and when it finally happens you're like, "Whuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh the ???"A killer p*nis ??? My gosh, what would SHAFT have to say to that ?
Good blaxploitation flix Not one for the kids
Brutally beaten and arrested on false charges, Charlie has done his time and now he's out...for revenge. Standard blaxploitation fare made legendary by a scene involving Charlie's murderous member.
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Reviews (11)

A wonderful DVD bringing together many people who at least tangentially, knew Robert Johnson.
This DVD offers a wealth of information about the life of Robert Johnson.We meet a girlfriend of Robert Johnson, who claims she knows where his actual burial ground is, and another girlfriend who had a song written about her by Robert (and who hears it for the first time on the DVD). A man is interviewed who claims to be Robert Johnson's son, along with a birth certificate showing that in fact this may be the case.Johnny Shines talks about how they would play the game of "cutting heads" in Helena, with Robert stealing away the audience every time.We get the insight that the person who poisoned Robert Johnson's drink admitted as such to one interviewer, after first presenting an alibi for a question which was never asked.We are also presented with three possible grave sites of Robert Johnson, though none of them can proven to be incontrovertible as such.In short, there is a lot of good information on this DVD about the enigmatic bluesman known as Robert Johnson (and pseudonyms in various other places).This DVD is clearly a window into the past which will slowly disappear as the years go on......Hammond does us all a great service by documenting Robert Johnson's life and that of his contemporaries.
An eccentric and informative film
What I loved most about this film was how it gave a window into the culture that produced Robert Johnson.When a woman who'd been a girlfriend of Robert Johnson's was asked whether she thought that Robert Johnson had really sold his soul to the devil, she replied "that's what people say."But then she said, (and I paraphrase her), "Why are you asking me?You're a musician, you know how these things work."When John Hammond then said, "I didn't sell my soul."Her reply was an unbelieving "Um-hmm!"Also, when the story was told of how the man who'd poisoned Robert Johnson finally admitted to the deed, his response was "I never thought there'd be all this trouble by killing that man."As though killing most men didn't cause much trouble at all!Anyway, the production is nice, having been shown on the BBC.It's not flashy Hollywood special effects, but for those interested in classic blues its a great trip through the Mississippi Delta.

Spectacular DVD
This is definitely for any music enthusiast.Experience the old stomping grounds of pure Delta Blues.Robert Johnson was an extraordinary musician that died under unexplained circumstances.No one really knows for sure how he died, and there is still a lingering mystery of where he is buried.This DVD literally takes you back to the time when Robert Johnson started a new revolution in Blues music.The birth of the Delta Blues is embedded in the narration of this DVD. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Contemporary Blues    2. Documentary    3. Movie    4. Music Videos - Blues   

Editorial Review

The pinnacle of blaxploitation movies, the 1972 Read more

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Reviews (51)

Curtis Mayfield's soundtrack is the real star
I've been a fan of Superfly as soundtrack for years. Curtis Mayfield is the man, crooner, poet, and funkateer all put into one wise package. The lyrics of his songs for Superfly tell the story for me better than the plot itself at times.
"He was no butler or clown"
This was a great movie because it showed a black man as something other than a clown or butler.
"I know it's a rotten game, it's the only game 'The Man' left us to play"
I was born in the 70's but it was only recently (a couple of days ago) that I saw the film Superfly.A film about a drug dealer who wants to retire from the cocaine business because he sees its fatalism.I guess I must have bought into the negativity of those who condemned the film for it's perceived glorification of street life.In reality,I didn't even know what the film was about, I simply discounted it as just another blaxploitation that would be filled with over the top characters and bad acting. But Superfly was none of what I expected.It's social commentary speaks to the hopelessness of such a life style and if anything offers an anti-drug message.It also speaks to what society tells us to revere-money, homes, cars-the American Dream. Unfortunately, people could not see beyond the flashy clothes and the melodic musical score, which serves as the narrator, and controversy to capture the real message of the film.It is also unfortunate that the late Ron O'Neal's mesmerizing and brilliant performance as Priest was somewhat overshadowed by the film's controversy-namely, a drug dealer as hero. Ron O'Neal was a victim of what happens to most actors who have monumental success on a film-oftentimes they are typecast and then resigned to film and television roles that are beneath their talent and ability-it happens to the best of actors and the worst.Had he been an actor just starting out in present times, with his exotic, smoldering good looks and immense talent and intensity, he would have become world renown and Oscar nominated and perhaps an Oscar winner.He was definitely underrated and a man ahead of his time.
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Editorial Review

The curiosity of Quentin Tarantino's Read more

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Reviews (212)

Superb ...Quetins Best
I love this Movie ...it's in my top Ten films of the Nineties ...The Dialogue is incredible ..Sam Jackson ..Chris Tucker ..Pam Grier ...Bridget Fonda,Bob Deniro Robert Forster and Michael Keaton..the scene where Sam Jackson is trying to talk Tucker into getting into the trunk of the car is absolute Classic ..this movie ages like fine wine ..

wonderful
amazing, this mobie is excellent, pam grier and samuel l. jackson are great actors and the 2nd disc is full bonus. you must to bought this (sorry. My english isn't very good)

What the ??!?!?!
TERRIBLE!!! I can't believe Tarantino is capable of such garbage. Nothing happens!!! It's like 2.5 hrs long and nothing happens. Is that even possible?Brutally boring. How does anyone rate this movie highly? Maybe it's a movie where you have to be a book nerd who liked the transation to film? All I know is NOTHING HAPPENS! Q: What is the plot? A. Who knows. If someone asks me what this movie was about - I say 'It's about NOTHING'. And not in a good Seinfeld way. Sad really. I think Tarantino tried to make a cool movie. But along the way he forgot that a movie needs to tell a story. This movie is like watching a slideshow - and who the hell needs that? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drama    2. Feature Film-action/Adventure    3. Movie   

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Reviews (3)

A True Warrior
Hank Aaron is a Great Human being.He took the Key that Jackie Robinson,Larry Dolby&the Negro League Pioneers had&openedit&Split it in half.He overcame so much Hatred for breaking a Record.hePaved another road after the one set before him.not that he broke BabeRuth's number but the fact that he was a Black Man doing it caused themaddness.He is a Hero.

Hard Hitting and Glorious!
By "hard hitting", I'm referring not only to Hammerin' Hank's vicious home run swing, but also the vicious racism he faced as he pursuedthe home run king's record.This video pulls no punches.The racistletters, the kidnapping threat on his daughter, and the long lonelyoffseason between dingers 713 and 714. Then, he met a new ladyfriend, andwas ready for the new season, and the big challenge. If you appreciate HankAaron for the great player, and man, he was--buy this video. It tells thewhole ugly and beautiful story of a poor southern black child whoworshipped Jackie Robinson, then went on to fight the same battle...and WINBIG!Go Henry, I'm your biggest fan!

Hard Hitting and Glorious!
By "hard hitting", I'm referring not only to Hammerin' Hank's vicious home run swing, but also the vicious racism he faced as he pursuedthe home run king's record.This video pulls no punches.The racistletters, the kidnapping threat on his daughter, and the long lonelyoffseason between dingers 713 and 714. Then, he met a new ladyfriend, andwas ready for the new season, and the big challenge. If you appreciate HankAaron for the great player, and man, he was--buy this video. It tells thewhole ugly and beautiful story of a poor southern black child whoworshipped Jackie Robinson, then went on to fight the same battle...and WINBIG!Go Henry, I'm your biggest fan! ... Read more

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Reviews (1)

The Peninsula Campaign and the Battle of Shiloh
The second episode of Ken Burns celebrated documentary on the Civil War focuses on McClellan's Peninsula Campaign in the East and Grant's military successes in the West leading up to the Battle of Shiloh during the second year of the war.Although David McCullough's narration is truly the voice of this documentary, it is the figure of Shelby Foote, relating the Battle of Shiloh and its importance in transforming beliefs about the war, that stands out in this particular episode.Other notable moments cover the clash of Ironclads with the Monitor and the Merrimac, the fall of New Orleans to Farragaut's Federal fleet, as well as the introduction of Nathan Bedford Forrest.Again, the use of hundreds of still photographs, contemporary film shots of locales, the recognizable voices of noted actors such as Morgan Freeman and Jason Robards, Jr., and the simple but evocative music are powerfully woven together.This episode begins with the rising star of George B. McClellan and the cry of "On to Richmond," but ends with the first recognition of the military genius of Robert E. Lee.It is at this point that the parallels between the American Civil War and Homer's "Iliad" that Burns sees becomes fairly obvious. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie    3. War Documentaries   

Editorial Review

This ambitious mixture of dramatic reconstruction with traditional documentary affords excellent insight into legendary bluesman Robert Johnson's life, the enduring power of his music, and the myth which surrounds him. Read more

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Reviews (13)

A Steady Rollin' Man
Robert Johnson was one of the most enigmatic bluesmen of the 20th century and his life is still a mystery today.Fans only have two grainy pictures of Johnson and various accounts of the mans' life by those who knew him and those who purport to have known him.Having died at the age of 27 by poisoning only adds to the legacy.Johnson, like many of his contemporaries in that early century era, liked women and whiskey and that became his undoing...a jealous husband poisoned his drink and sent Johnson off into the history books forever.In this documentary, other bluesmen will tell you what Johnson was all about, right up to those final hours but some of their testimony is questionable, as was Johnsons' entire life.But the music is there and it lives up to the Johnson image. Many songs are haunting (Hellhound on My Trail, Come On In My Kitchen) and many are sad (Drunkenhearted Man,From Four Til Late)but they all carry Johnsons'unique stamp on the blues. One listen and you'll hear it.Danny Glover's narration is compassionate and blues musician Keb Mos' silhouetted figure makes you feel that you are watching actual footage of Johnson himself. Good stuff...

Ambitious, a little cheesy?
6-7 years after John Hammond provided us with a decent (if somewhat slight) documentary on Robert Johnson in 'The Search for Robert Johnson', 'Can You Hear the Wind Howl' attempted a far more ambitious interpretation of Johnson's life which, whilst offering little new information (and rehashing stories from interviewees [Johnny Shines, David Edwards] that have long circulated in 'blues' circles), nevertheless provided a good deal of (musical) context missing from the Hammond outing.
Not quite long enough...
This DVD is a decent documentary of Johnson's life. I found the interviews with those who knew Johnson to be the best part. Johnny Shines and Honeyboy Edwards were both the best part. If your a fan of the Blues and Robert Johnson this is worth the money. However, my only complaints are that it wasn't very long and Danny Glover wasn't the best narrator for the documentary. The interviews and the music make the DVD worth the price. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Documentary    2. Movie   

Editorial Review

It seems elementary in the age of mega-league professional sports, many of which have been revolutionized by African American athletes, to point out that before Jackie Robinson major league baseball waslily white. The Negro Leagues were the crucible where African American players honed their skills. But it took over two decades, until Robert Peterson published Read more

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Reviews (2)

This is a rare piece of negroe league and black history......
Although this film is too short, that does not deminish it's importance nor its brilliance. This film is clearly the forerunner to the succeeding film, 'THERE WAS ALWAYS SUN SHINNING SOMEPLACE.", because many of the same players were interviewed for both films. I would venture to guess that the budget was too small to allow a longer film to have been made. This film is truly a fine historical document....

A too-short documentary about the Negro Baseball Leagues
"Only the Ball Was White" was the title of the book Robert Peterson published about the history of black baseball and the Negro Leagues, and this 1988 documentary covers the same ground.Narrated by Paul Winfield, this 30-minute documentary uses vintage photographs, historical film footage and interviews with former Negro League ballplayers such as Satchel Paige, Buck Leonard, Roy Campanella, Don Newcombe and Jimmy Crutchfield.My only complaint with this documentary is that it is way too short and only scratches the surface of this fascinating topic.One of the old ballplayers bemoans the fact that young kids do not know about Jackie Robinson; they only know about Willie Mays.Well, true baseball fans know about Rube Foster and Josh Gibson, as well as another dozen great black ballplayers who never got their change to play in the "Major" Leagues.In the context of this documentary, Gibson and Robinson become the key counterparts of the tragedy: while Robinson is honored as the ideal man for the job of breaking the color barrier (Paige candidly admits he never could have endured what Jackie had to go through), Gibson is mythologized as the greatest hitter of all time, dying at the age of 35 the same year Jackie played with the Dodgers.Granted, there is no greater irony to be told in this story, but there is still so much history that is not being told here.There is a nice section where Campy tells about the stuff veterans pulled on him when he was a 15-year old rookie ("Go back and make your bed" and "Fetch me a bucket of steam"), but given there is only 30-minutes of tape this seems an odd choice.Again, my solution is to make the documentary a lot longer (two tapes, easily).