Miss Evers' Boys (TV 1997)

The true story of the US Government's 1932 Tuskeegee Syphilis Experiments, in which a group of black test subjects were allowed to die, despite a cure having been developed.

Director:

Joseph Sargent

Writers:

David Feldshuh (play), Walter Bernstein (teleplay)

Stars:

Alfre Woodard, Laurence Fishburne, Craig Sheffer

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 16 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Alfre Woodard	...	Eunice Evers, R.N.
Laurence Fishburne	...	Caleb Humphries
Craig Sheffer	...	Dr. Douglas
Joe Morton	...	Dr. Sam Brodus
Obba Babatundé	...	Willie Johnson
Von Coulter	...	Hodman Bryan
Thom Gossom Jr.	...	Ben Washington
Ossie Davis	...	Mr. Evers
E.G. Marshall	...	The Senate Chairman
Robert Benedetti	...	Senator
Peter Stelzer	...	Senator
Donzaleigh Abernathy	...	Nurse Betty
Tommy Cresswell	...	Dr. Larkin
Judson Vaughn	...	Dr. Davis
Larry Black	...	Dr. Hamilton

Storyline

In 1932 Macon County, Alabama, the federal government launched into a medical study called The Tuskegee Study of Untreated Blacks With Syphilis. The study selected 412 men infected with the disease and faked long term treatment, while really only giving them placebos and liniments. The premise of the action was to determine if blacks reacted similar to whites to the overall effects of the disease. The experiment was only discontinued 40 years later when a Senate investigation was initiated. At that time, only 127 of the original study group were left alive. The story is told from the point of view of Nurse Eunice Evers, who was well aware of the lack of treatment being offered, but felt her role was to console the involved men, many of whom were her direct friends. In fact the movie's name comes from the fact that a performing dancer and three musicians named their act for her - "Miss Evers' Boys". All had the disease. A romance with one goes unrequited even after he joins the army ...

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Plot Keywords:

syphilis | apostrophe in title | public health | punctuation in title | based on play | 

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Taglines:

A Government Lie. A Woman's Secret. A Story That Must Be Told.

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for theme and related elements

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 February 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

El experimento Tuskegee

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Anasazi Productions, Home Box Office (HBO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in The 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards (1998)

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Soundtracks

"Show Me Lord"
Music and Lyrics by Charles Bernstein
Vocals by Carmen Twillie

User Reviews

Excellent Movie

Wow!! What a real eye-opener!! I had to watch this movie for a medical bioethics class and I really learned a lot from watching it. I thought the way things were presented were done quite well. It really showed me how cruel things were back in that time frame and opened my eyes to watch things around me in the present. What a shame that this event took place. How unfair it was to these poor men and their families. It makes me appreciate even more the stand that people take on behalf of others.

I have to commend Miss Evers' for her dedication to these men and all that she tried to do to help them regardless of the consequences. It is too sad that she was not able to do more. As far as Dr. Brodus and the other Dr. goes, it is a shame that they were coerced into thinking that in just 6 mos to a year the funds would become available to give real treatment to these men.

At the end, when there were so few men left alive, I am grateful that they were compensated somewhat for the suffering they had to endure. At the same time, it saddens me that so many had to die from this horrible disease to begin with even when the medication became available.

My condolences to the families for sure and my gratitude to the AP for bringing this to the forefront.