Review of The Vernon Johns Story (1994) by Ida K — 18 Oct 2008
Disappointing film about a seminal figure in the nascent civil rights movement. James Earl Jones played the title character with his usual passion. The barely controlled rage that was provoked by the blatant injustice of the Jim Crow south was wholly believable.
Nicole Leach was very moving as the good Rev. Doctor's eldest daughter. Unfortunately, the rest of the cast was less capable. Still, the power of the story carried the film. I just wanted to like this more than I did.
How ironic that the deacons found Rev. Johns' rhetoric to be too inflammatory and called Martin Luther King as their next pastor! Thank God for the courage of men like Vernon Johns who helped to ignite the civil rights movement.
That legacy is an important chapter in our nation's history. Even though flawed, this film is important to our understanding of how far we have come, and how much further we must yet go to see "justice flow down like a river".
This review of The Vernon Johns Story (1994) was written by Ida K on 18 Oct 2008.
The Vernon Johns Story has generally received very positive reviews.
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