GREAT~Movie~The~Learning~Tree~1969~drama film produced and released by Warner Bros.-Seven Arts. The film tells the story of a young African American growing up in rural Kansas during the late 1920s and early 1930s, when racial discrimination was a social norm and legally sanctioned in parts of the United States. Written and directed by Gordon Parks, The Learning Tree is based upon his 1964 semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. It is the first Hollywood studio film to be directed by an African American. In 1989, The Learning Tree was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.Plot summary Newt Winger (Kyle Johnson) is an African-American teenager living in rural Kansas in the late 1920s and early 1930s. He generally confronts the prejudices of the era with pride and an even temper, unlike his hot-headed friend Marcus Savage (Alex Clarke). As circumstances slowly pull Newt and Marcus further apart, Newt witnesses a murder – one committed by Marcus father Booker (Richard Ward). When Newts decision to come forward as a witness leads to Bookers death, Marcus ambushes and confronts Newt with a gun – resulting in a vicious fight. Newt wins the fight but spares Marcus life, only to watch helplessly as Marcus is shot and killed by a racist sheriff (Dana Elcar).
Posted on: Fri, 19 Sep 2014 00:56:45 +0000
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