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The Vernon Johns Story

  • TV Movie
  • 19941994
  • PGPG
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
316
YOUR RATING
James Earl Jones in The Vernon Johns Story (1994)
  • Biography
  • Drama
This inspirational saga follows the life of controversial pastor Vernon Johns - now known as the father of the civil rights movement.This inspirational saga follows the life of controversial pastor Vernon Johns - now known as the father of the civil rights movement.This inspirational saga follows the life of controversial pastor Vernon Johns - now known as the father of the civil rights movement.
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
316
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Kenneth Fink
  • Writers
    • Leslie Lee(story)
    • Kevin Arkadie(story)
  • Stars
    • James Earl Jones
    • Mary Alice
    • Joe Seneca
Top credits
  • Director
    • Kenneth Fink
  • Writers
    • Leslie Lee(story)
    • Kevin Arkadie(story)
  • Stars
    • James Earl Jones
    • Mary Alice
    • Joe Seneca
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 10User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos9

    James Earl Jones in The Vernon Johns Story (1994)
    James Earl Jones in The Vernon Johns Story (1994)
    The Vernon Johns Story (1994)
    The Vernon Johns Story (1994)
    The Vernon Johns Story (1994)
    The Vernon Johns Story (1994)
    The Vernon Johns Story (1994)
    The Vernon Johns Story (1994)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Earl Jones
    James Earl Jones
    • Vernon Johnsas Vernon Johns
    Mary Alice
    Mary Alice
    • Altonaas Altona
    Joe Seneca
    Joe Seneca
    • Deacon Wilkesas Deacon Wilkes
    Tommy Hollis
    Tommy Hollis
    • Coach Hillas Coach Hill
    Nicolle Rochelle
    Nicolle Rochelle
    • Baby Deeas Baby Dee
    • (as Nicole Leach)
    Ashanti Nailah Blaize
    • Enidas Enid
    Lashayla Logan
    Lashayla Logan
    • Jeanneas Jeanne
    Clifton James
    Clifton James
    • Judge Blakeas Judge Blake
    Shelby Ware
    • Janet Whitcombas Janet Whitcomb
    Cissy Houston
    Cissy Houston
    • Roseas Rose
    Moses Gibson
    • Deacon Hendersonas Deacon Henderson
    Billie Allen
    • Ida Rawlinsas Ida Rawlins
    Michael Howell
    • Reverend Abernathyas Reverend Abernathy
    Justin Young
    • White Teenageras White Teenager
    Garland Bunting
    • Countermanas Counterman
    Sarah Smith
    • Church Ladyas Church Lady
    Beatrice Bush
    • Gloria Hillas Gloria Hill
    Sam Wells
    • Servicemanas Serviceman
    • Director
      • Kenneth Fink
    • Writers
      • Leslie Lee(story)
      • Kevin Arkadie(story) (teleplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Vernon Johns was the immediate predecessor to Martin Luther King as senior pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, serving from 1947 to 1952.
    • 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.
    • Quotes

      Vernon Johns: This boy lived a trifling and worthless life. He went around Montgomery daring someone to cut his throat. Saturday night somebody obliged him. He lived like a dog; he died like a dog. Undertaker, claim the body. Choir, sing.

    • Crazy credits
      The Producers acknowledge the significant contribution of author, Taylor Branch, to the public awareness of the life of Reverend Vernon Johns.
    • Connections
      Features The Dentist (1932)

    User reviews10

    Review
    Top review
    A great story and fantastic film.
    The film tells the story of the Reverend Vernon Johns' struggle for equality in America in the 1960's.

    James Earl Jones delivers an all-round stunning dialog playing the reverend of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama - a name that most should recognise.

    He constantly oversteps his mark when preaching, telling the people who let the white americans run their lives what he -really- thinks of them, cowards, and as he gains more and more attention - eventually demanding to be served in a white-only cafe, but at the end of the film there comes a fantastic little twist.

    A very worthwhile watch!
    helpful•9
    1
    • flec
    • Jun 30, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 15, 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Road to Freedom: The Vernon Johns Story
    • Production companies
      • Big Apple Films
      • Laurel Entertainment Inc.
      • Tribune Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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