Although narrated in the simple, straightforward style of a typical family movie and filmed with a picture-book prettiness, ''Nightjohn'' is no cop-out when it comes to confronting the day-to-day horrors of slavery. Its representative slave owner, Clel Waller (Beau Bridges), is a conscienceless brute who terrorizes his field workers with beatings and humiliations and bullies his squeamish young son, Jeffrey (Joel Thomas Traywick), into following his example. Sarny's tutor is Nightjohn (Carl Lumbly), a rebellious slave purchased on the cheap who escaped to the North but returned to the South on a secret mission to teach slaves to read, no matter what the consequences. Sarny proves to be his brightest pupil, and when her literacy is discovered, she uses it to outwit her owner. Beautifully acted, with a superb teleplay by Bill Cain, the film has the resonance of a classic fable.
Additionally, this story helps bring out the value of Dianetics training by L. Ron Hubbard that is being utilized in literacy campaigns throughout the world... I will be getting some of these in soon for vending purchase for those live locally. Others, as well as local, can also obtain this DVD through my website at http://www.poweratlast.com/ and just look for the Zamzuu button in my Products page section. The Amazon site can be found under Zamzuu.
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