IMDb >
Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored (1995)
Watch It
Buy it at Amazon
Rent it at Blockbuster.com
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
BETA
Discuss in Boards More at IMDb Pro Add to My Movies Update Data
Quicklinks
Top Links
trailers and videosfull cast and crewtriviaofficial sitesmemorable quotesOverview
main detailscombined detailsfull cast and crewcompany creditstv scheduleAwards & Reviews
user commentsexternal reviewsnewsgroup reviewsawardsuser ratingsparents guiderecommendationsmessage boardPlot & Quotes
plot summarysynopsisplot keywordsAmazon.com summarymemorable quotesFun Stuff
triviagoofssoundtrack listingcrazy creditsalternate versionsmovie connectionsFAQOther Info
merchandising linksbox office/businessrelease datesfilming locationstechnical specslaserdisc detailsDVD detailsliterature listingsNewsDeskPromotional
taglines trailers and videos posters photo galleryExternal Links
showtimesofficial sitesmiscellaneousphotographssound clipsvideo clipsOnce Upon a Time... When We Were Colored (1995) More at IMDbPro »
| Photos (see all 13 | slideshow) |
Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Release Date:
26 January 1996 (USA)
more
Plot:
A narrator tells the story of his childhood years in a tightly knit Afro-American community in the deep south under racial segregation. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
2 wins
&
2 nominations
more
User Comments:
The film is fine the way it is.
more (7 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Al Freeman Jr. | ... | Poppa | |
| Phylicia Rashad | ... | Ma Ponk | |
| Leon | ... | Uncle Melvin | |
| Paula Kelly | ... | Ma Pearl | |
| Salli Richardson-Whitfield | ... | Miss Alice (as Salli Richardson) | |
| Anna Maria Horsford | ... | Miss Annie | |
| Bernie Casey | ... | Mr. Walter | |
| Isaac Hayes | ... | Preacher Hurn | |
| Willis Norwood Jr. | ... | Cliff (12 Yrs.) | |
| Karen Malina White | ... | Mary | |
| Damon Hines | ... | Cliff at 16 | |
| Iona Morris | ... | Nila Fontaine | |
| Phill Lewis | ... | Sammy (19 Yrs.) / Narrator | |
| Taj Mahal | ... | Mr. Will | |
| Polly Bergen | ... | Miss Maybry |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG for thematic elements including mild violence, language, and sensuality.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
115 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Quotes:
Miss Maybry:
Books are like eggs. You got to crack 'em open to get anything out of them.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Phat Girlz (2006)
more
Soundtrack:
Maybe Tomorrow
more
FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (7 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored (1995)Recommendations
If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
Show more recommendations
|
|
|
|
|
| Giant | Intruder in the Dust | Gone with the Wind | In the Heat of the Night | My Dog Skip |
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
IMDb User Rating:
|
Related Links
| Full cast and crew | Company credits | External reviews |
| IMDb Drama section | IMDb USA section | Add this title to MyMovies |










The author's stated intention was to show the family that nourished him and protected him from the world of hatred and segregation. The film showed just enough of the segregated life to let the viewer know that Cliff needed to be protected from that world and nurtured to overcome the scars that outside world could inflict. I think Taulbert and the movie did a good job of showing how the love of his immediate and extended family could compensate in some way for the hatred and oppression of the outside world. I hate to see the movie berated for not being a documentary of all the hateful excesses of the segregated South when that was not the movie's intent. We have films that are considered classics that are about different parts of World War II, and they don't document all the atrocities of the Holocaust. Not focusing on parts of an era that are not the main point of the film is not "sugarcoating." It's an excellent film about growing up in a loving family and overcoming challenges through the love and support of others. It's fine the way it is.