Ruby Bridges (TV 1998)

The true story of Ruby Bridges, an African-American girl who, in 1960 at age 6, helped to integrate the all-white schools of New Orleans. Although she was the only black girl to come to the... See full summary »

Director:

Euzhan Palcy

Writer:

Toni Ann Johnson

Stars:

Penelope Ann Miller, Kevin Pollak, Michael Beach

4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Penelope Ann Miller	...	Barbara Henry
Kevin Pollak	...	Dr. Robert Coles
Michael Beach	...	Abon Bridges
Jean Louisa Kelly	...	Jane Coles
Peter Francis James	...	Dr. Broyard
Patrika Darbo	...	Miss Spencer
Chaz Monet	...	Ruby Nell Bridges
Diana Scarwid	...	Miss Woodmere
Lela Rochon	...	Lucielle 'Lucy' Bridges
Toni Ann Johnson	...	Alma Broyard
Michael Burgess	...	Mr. Lewis
Al Butler	...	Deputy U.S. Marshal Al Buffer
Charlie Lucas	...	Mr. Taylor
Kiara Tucker	...	Alison
Christopher Monroe Stokes	...	Carl (as Christopher Stokes)

Storyline

The true story of Ruby Bridges, an African-American girl who, in 1960 at age 6, helped to integrate the all-white schools of New Orleans. Although she was the only black girl to come to the school she was sent to, (and since all the white mothers pulled their children out of class, she was the only one there, period), and though she faced a crowd of angry white citizens every day, she emerged unscathed, physically or emotionally. Encouraged by her teacher, a white woman from the North named Barbara Henry, and her mother, Lucille, and with her own quiet strength, she eventually broke down a century-old barrier forever, a pivotal moment in the civil-rights movement.

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Plot Keywords:

school | teacher | african american | civil rights movement | 1960s | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 January 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le combat de Ruby Bridges

Filming Locations:

Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marian Rees Associates, Walt Disney Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Miss Spencer: She is a good teacher, my kids can't read that well yet!

User Reviews

Inspiring, historically sound

I teach 5th grade and show this movie to my class every year. It moves them and shows them an important period in the history of our country. They are amazed when I tell them that this happened in America, not some other country and that we still fight for these rights on a daily basis, both in America and abroad. It makes them appreciate the civil rights all Americans are supposed to have. There are some racially inappropriate words, but that adds to the realism and sparks discussion about words as weapons. This movie goes really well with a host of books and web sites that you can look up on the internet and use with many different age levels.