Mister Johnson (1990)

In 1923 British Colonial Nigeria, Mister Johnson is an oddity -- an educated black man who doesn't really fit in with the natives or the British. He works for the local British magistrate, ... See full summary »

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writers:

William Boyd, Joyce Cary (novel)

Stars:

Maynard Eziashi, Pierce Brosnan, Edward Woodward

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maynard Eziashi	...	Mister Johnson
Pierce Brosnan	...	Harry Rudbeck
Edward Woodward	...	Sargy Gollup
Beatie Edney	...	Celia Rudbeck
Denis Quilley	...	Bulteen
Nick Reding	...	Tring
Bella Enahoro	...	Bamu
Femi Fatoba	...	Waziri
Kwabena Manso	...	Benjamin
Hubert Ogunde	...	Brimah (as Chief Hubert Ogunde)
Sola Adeyemi	...	Ajali
Jerry Linus	...	Saleh
George Menta	...	Emil
Steve James	...	Aliu
Tunde Kelani	...	Jamesu

Storyline

In 1923 British Colonial Nigeria, Mister Johnson is an oddity -- an educated black man who doesn't really fit in with the natives or the British. He works for the local British magistrate, and considers himself English, though he has never been to England. He is always scheming, trying to get ahead, which lands him in a lot of hot water.

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Plot Keywords:

nigeria | worker | emir | british colonialism | hit in the face | 

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Taglines:

Africa 1923: A clash of cultures between British imperalists and a black man too smart for his own good.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

April 1991 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Kano, Kano State, Nigeria

Box Office

Gross:

$1,464,242 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avenue Pictures Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

User Reviews

Drama used in real-life setting

Mister Johnson tells the tale of a young Nigerian man whose dishonesty and desire to please others lead to his downfall. He's lost--thinking he must be British to be a real man, for that is what he hears the British imperialists say. He doesn't understand the intrinsic worth of his African identity, and in his attempt to become more and more British, he loses everything he loves. The plot itself is sad but not entirely original. The movie's charm is in its setting--central Nigeria--and its use of the Pidgin and Hausa from that region. As one who grew up there, I was thrilled with their correct usage of terms and expressions. The cinematography is excellent, and I appreciate the genuineness of the movie itself. Sad but worth watching.