The Learning Tree

This film takes place in Kansas during the 1920's with a young, black teenager by the name of "Newt Winger" (Kyle Johnson) walking alone on the prairie when a tornado suddenly develops in the distance and catches him out in the open. Although he tries to seek shelter, as fate would have it, he gets pinned down by a falling tree and is left all on his own while the storm picks up in intensity. Luckily, a slightly older black teenager nicknamed "Big Mabel" (Carole Lamond) just happens to be in the area and half-carries him to an abandoned shack where the two of them cling to each other while the storm rages outside. The scene then shifts to Newt meeting a girl named "Arcella Jefferson" (Mira Waters) and, not only falling in love, but also during this time encountering racial prejudice while simultaneously trying to maintain a sense of dignity and moral uprightness in a cruel and unjust environment. Now, rather than reveal any more, let me just say that I had never heard of this movie until fairly recently and for that reason I didn't really know what to expect. That being said, now that I have seen it, I must say that I was quite surprised by how good this film turned out to be. I say this because it depicts a time and place that doesn't take center stage for racial turmoil and as a result it showcased the fact that this kind of hatred and bigotry wasn't confined to the Deep South or in urban areas like New York or Chicago. It was all across America. Of course, I'm not saying anything that most of us didn't already surmise--but it still caught me by surprise, all the same. Be that as it may, I was very impressed with this film and I have rated it accordingly.

This was one of the films that really sucked me in and gave me a look at what life was like growing up black in the early part of the century. The setting for the film was splendid.

I totally disagree with the previous review that says this movie has been white washed. Had he done his research he would know this was written and directed by a black man. He may need to take into account that this was filmed in 1969. This is how films from that time looked. The sets and costumes for films like Moses and Cleopatra weren't exactly realistic. I will agree that the acting isn't the greatest, but the story is good. There isn't any stereotyping in this movie, they have blacks and whites of different classes and backgrounds. Ever black isn't shiftless and and all of the whites aren't racist. I think it is a fair depiction of what blacks went through and the frustration they felt at that time. Its not the greatest movie I have seen, but it think it's worth watching.

I watched it now in the future present. I really enjoyed how they wrote it and how the cops and the people and the other people talked and communicated and I loved the whole process. But the best part was a very good transition between social castes and ideologies, it was all very good.

I think Gordon Parks, did a very good job. I saw the Learning Tree as a child, read it as a child and was happy to see it again as an adult, I even gave my son the book. I applaud Gordon Parks for trying perhaps if he had help (not necessarily someone else total directing it could have flowed a little better). I would love to see this film remade, but who could do it, without deviating from the premise and who could capture the cinematography the way Mr. Parks did. Let me know and maybe we could petition Hollywood. There are a lot of talented black directors who probably could remake the movie but would they be interested???. Spike Lee maybe, John Singelton, the Hudlin brothers??? With the way movies (remakes that is) are being made nowadays, I would love to see a high quality remake. The movie would also need high quality actors. I am going to purchase the movie on DVD and watch it again. Well anyway, I respect your opinion and would like to some feedback on my opinion.