The Vernon Johns Story (TV 1994)

Director:

Kenneth Fink

Writers:

Leslie Lee (story), Kevin Arkadie (story),

Stars:

James Earl Jones, Mary Alice, Joe Seneca

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Earl Jones	...	Vernon Johns
Mary Alice	...	Altona
Joe Seneca	...	Deacon Wilkes
Tommy Hollis	...	Coach Hill
Nicolle Rochelle	...	Baby Dee (as Nicole Leach)
Ashanti Nailah Blaize	...	Enid
Lashayla Logan	...	Jeanne
Clifton James	...	Judge Blake
Shelby Ware	...	Janet Whitcomb
Cissy Houston	...	Rose
Moses Gibson	...	Deacon Henderson
Billie Allen	...	Ida Rawlins
Michael Howell	...	Reverend Abernathy
Justin Young	...	White Teenager
Garland Bunting	...	Counterman

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

racial violence | heroism | minister | segregation | family relationships | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 January 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Road to Freedom: The Vernon Johns Story

Company Credits

Production Co:

Big Apple Films, Laurel Entertainment Inc., Tribune Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The story was based on an unpublished biography by Henry W. Powell of The Vernon Johns Society.

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Goofs

After one of his parishioners is raped, Rev. Johns has his daughter post his Sunday Sermon announcement on the church sign. The sign shows the name of the church, Sunday Service 11:00 AM, and "Dr. Vernon Johns, Pastor", and between the service time and Johns name is 'WHEN THE RAPIST IS WHITE', with single quote marks before and after. In the next scene, Johns is called to see a judge, who shows Johns a picture of the sign with the Sunday Sermon announcement, except the picture shows "WHEN THE RAPIST IS WHITE" with double quote marks before and after, and with the Sermon announcement above the service time, and instead of 'Dr. Vernon Johns, Pastor', it reads 'Rev. Dr. Vernon Johns' with 'Pastor' on a separate line below his name.

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Crazy Credits

The Producers acknowledge the significant contribution of author, Taylor Branch, to the public awareness of the life of Reverend Vernon Johns.

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Connections

Features The Dentist (1932)

User Reviews

Excellent though painful to watch

I saw the movie on TV a few days ago and thought it was excellent. It was good on two levels: acting and education. James Earl Jones did a superb job of displaying emotion, focus passion and vision. My heart was heavy as I watched the brutal and heartless treatment of blacks. I am glad that much of the outward side of racism is diminishing but I don't know if peoples' hearts have changed that much and that is where true change takes place. It was hard to watch but for those of us who have not been around that kind of racism it was a needed reminder to participate towards equality.

The change that took place in the older daughter was at the expense of much pain but her decision to go for the higher cause will always be the price of change.