A documentary account of the rehabilitation at the Wiltwyck School of an emotionally disturbed Black boy who is unwanted, misunderstood, and inwardly tortured.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast
| Gary Merrill | ... |
Narrator (voice)
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| Donald Thompson | ... |
Donald Peters
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Clarence Cooper | ... |
The Counselor
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Sadie Stockton | ... |
The Grandmother
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| Estelle Evans | ... |
The Mother
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Paul Baucum | ... |
The Stepfather
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Sidney Meyers | ... |
Psychiatrist (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Sidney Meyers | ||
Written by
| James Agee | ... | (commentary and dialogue) |
| Janice Loeb | ... | () (uncredited) |
| Sidney Meyers | ... | () (uncredited) |
| Helen Levitt | ... | () (uncredited) |
Produced by
| William Levitt | ... | associate producer |
| Janice Loeb | ... | producer |
Music by
| Ulysses Kay | ||
Cinematography by
| Richard Bagley | ||
| Helen Levitt | ... | (documentary segments) |
| Janice Loeb | ... | (documentary segments) |
Editing by
| Sidney Meyers | ||
Sound Department
| Richard Bagley | ... | special sound effects |
| Jack Kling | ... | special sound effects |
| Stanley Kotis | ... | sound effects editor |
Additional Crew
| Viola Bernard | ... | psychiatric consultant (uncredited) |
| Robert L. Cooper | ... | technical assistant (uncredited) |
| Nathan Stillman | ... | technical assistant (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Arthur Mayer & Joseph Burstyn (1948) (United States) (theatrical)
- Blacast Productions (United States) (VHS)
Special Effects
Other Companies
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
The story of a lonely young boy growing up in Harlem. Using a semi-documentary technique, the film-makers realistically capture the hostile environment which leads the boy into delinquency. The youth is sent to Wiltwyck School for rehabilitation, where a psychiatrist and counselor try to break through the wall of silence which the boy uses to hide his fear and bitterness. Written by alfiehitchie |
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| Parents Guide | Add content advisory for parents » |
Additional Details
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Did You Know?
| Trivia | As of 2024, it remains the only documentary to ever receive an Oscar nomination in the Best Screenplay category. See more » |