The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (TV 1974)

Story of a black woman in the South who was born into slavery in the 1850s and lives to become a part of the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

Director:

John Korty

Writers:

Tracy Keenan Wynn (screenplay), Ernest J. Gaines (novel)

Stars:

Cicely Tyson, Eric Brown, Richard Dysart

Won 9 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cicely Tyson	...	Jane Pittman
Eric Brown	...	Jimmy Age 7
Richard Dysart	...	Master Bryant (as Richard A. Dysart)
Joel Fluellen	...	Unc Isom
Will Hare	...	Cluveau
Katherine Helmond	...	Lady at House
David Hooks	...	Colonel Dye
Elinora B. Johnson	...	Mary
Warren Kenner	...	Job
Dudley Knight	...	Trooper Brown
Derrick Mills	...	Little Ned
Michael Murphy	...	Quentin
Valerie Odell	...	Ticey (as Valeria Odell)
Odetta	...	Big Laura
Rod Perry	...	Joe Pittman

Storyline

In February, 1962, as the civil rights movement reaches Bayonne, Louisiana, a New York journalist arrives to interview Jane Pittman, who has just turned 110. She tells him her story dating back to her earliest memories before slavery ended, a long walk toward freedom, marriage to Joe Pittman, her adopted son Ned's work as an educator, helping to raise Jimmy, who returns as a civil rights worker, and her own decision to become involved in contemporary issues. In between the chapters of her life, the present-day struggles of Blacks in Bayonne, urged on by Jimmy, are dramatized.

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Plot Keywords:

civil rights | slavery | journalist | interview | 1960s | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 January 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Autobiografia di Miss Jane Pittman

Filming Locations:

Ashland-Belle Helene Plantation - State Highway 75, Geismer, Louisiana, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tomorrow Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Originally shown on US TV with only one commercial break.

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Connections

Referenced in The Facts of Life: The New Girl: Part 2 (1980)

User Reviews

LOVED IT A LOT

As I saw the movie, I thought of the song "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen" This woman lived through several wars, a husband killed by his own horse, to the civil right era. She was a paragon of strength and vitality, even when she approached 110 years of age. A vitality that some of us younger ones around 17 to 30 years old don't seem to have. Excellent cast. Wonderful makeup job on Cicely Tyson. Good script (although it strayed a bit from the book). I would highly recommend that whoever gets the movie, holds off on viewing it until reading the book, then they can appreciate the feel and the power Miss Tyson contributed to this role. Bravo, Miss Tyson. And Kudos to Ernest Gaines for his book and John Korty for his directorial prowess.