Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
James Earl Jones | ... | Vernon Johns | |
Mary Alice | ... | Altona | |
Joe Seneca | ... | Deacon Wilkes | |
Tommy Hollis | ... | Coach Hill | |
Nicolle Rochelle | ... | Baby Dee (as Nicole Leach) | |
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Ashanti Nailah Blaize | ... | Enid |
Lashayla Logan | ... | Jeanne | |
Clifton James | ... | Judge Blake | |
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Shelby Ware | ... | Janet Whitcomb |
Cissy Houston | ... | Rose | |
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Moses Gibson | ... | Deacon Henderson |
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Billie Allen | ... | Ida Rawlins |
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Michael Howell | ... | Reverend Abernathy |
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Justin Young | ... | White Teenager |
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Garland Bunting | ... | Counterman |
Vernon Johns, a brilliant man coupled with an eloquent speaker, upsets his community through his radical ideas on social change and economic independence of blacks. From his pulpit, he attacks the white power and denounces police brutality towards his brother race. His biggest enemy is nonetheless his own congregation who hesitates to mobilize behind him. Written by markyoloup
This film was a surprise in that it tells, and tells extraordinarily well, Reverend Vernon Johns' courage and conviction and struggle for equality in America in the Alabama of the 1960's just prior to the arrival of Dr. Martin King Jr. on the scene.
James Earl Jones is thoroughly convincing in the role and he delivers the performance of his career in this true story.
He breaches the barriers of white prejudice and tells it like it is for the white power that existed then, and alas, at times today. Jones is ably supported by a great cast and intelligent script and direction. I loved the freeze frames fading to black and white.
Well done, all! 8 out of 10.