Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored [VHS]
starring: Al Freeman Jr., Phylicia Rashad, Leon, Paula Kelly, Salli Richardson-Whitfield
directed by: Tim Reid
directed by: Tim Reid
![Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YNGYH23ML._SL160_.jpg)
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Tim Reid's wonderful film about life in the black neighborhood of Glen Allan, Mississippi, from the mid-'40s to the dawn of the civil rights movement, is thick with terrific, inspired actors and possessed of a mature, limpid visual style. The story is told from the point of view of a young boy raised by his stalwart grandfather and his kind aunt. But the collective tale of a community coming to terms with the risks it must take to fight racism and achieve political rights is equally important and compelling. Beautifully written (based on the autobiographical novel by Clifton Taubert), Reid's vision is rich in scenes of ritual and community that have rarely, if ever, been revealed on film. This is more than just a good movie; it's a watershed event in this nation's cultural history. --Tom Keogh
Tim Reid's wonderful film about life in the black neighborhood of Glen Allan, Mississippi, from the mid-'40s to the dawn of the civil rights movement, is thick with terrific, inspired actors and possessed of a mature, limpid visual style. The story is told from the point of view of a young boy raised by his stalwart grandfather and his kind aunt. But the collective tale of a community coming to terms with the risks it must take to fight racism and achieve political rights is equally important and compelling. Beautifully written (based on the autobiographical novel by Clifton Taubert), Reid's vision is rich in scenes of ritual and community that have rarely, if ever, been revealed on film. This is more than just a good movie; it's a watershed event in this nation's cultural history. --Tom Keogh
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Wholesome, Historical, Entertaining, Well Done
This movie is a very quality depiction of the oppression African Americans faced in the Jim Crow Era in the South and the powerful ways they survived and overcame that oppression.Themes of the importance of family, education, and determination shine through as the story of Clifton Taulbert's life is told from birth to 18.It is a fascinating journey to be introduced to the variety of solid people that poured into his life and enabled him to rise up and succeed.
Rating: - I Love It!
Watching this video reminds me of where I came from and helps me to appreciate where I am today.It removed all complaints from me!
Rating: 
- A Flash of Color From the Past
This movie was very well done. From the casting of the primary actor (a handsome young boy who is groomed at his wise old grandfather's knee) to his family-loyal aunt (the already accomplished actress Phylicia Rashad), this movie invites you into a world that any modern black American would be desperate to escape. The movie starts in the harsh, back-breaking times of old (post-slavery, sweat and dust-coated, and mentally as well as physically oppressive). As one of a million people who watched Alex ... Read More
Rating: - GROWING UP IN THE DEEP SOUTH
ONCE UPON A TIME...WHEN WE WERE COLORED - (1995)
RATING - PG for thematic elements including mild violence, language and sensuality.
STARRING - Al Freeman, Jr., Phylicia Rashad, Leon
THEME - Racial discrimination, family, community, growing up in the South.
REVIEWS - Siskel & Ebert (4/4) 'TWO THUMBS UP'
STORY - The film begins in 1946 in a cotton field outside of Glen Allan, Mississippi. A young woman suddenly ... Read More
Rating: - A Thoughtful look atwhen "we were colored"
ONCE UPON A TIME ..WHEN WE WERE COLORED is a grand and relatively sweeping look at black life in Southern rural Mississippi through the eyes ofauthor Clifton Taulbert from the years 1946-1962.In nearly two hours, we are reintroduced to the one of if not the most degrading pieces of our history as Americans, the times when "colored" and "white" existed in a segregated community.Though there is essentially nothing new for we oldsters to learn that we unfortunately lived through, Tim Reid's treatment of ... Read More
- Wholesome, Historical, Entertaining, Well DoneThis movie is a very quality depiction of the oppression African Americans faced in the Jim Crow Era in the South and the powerful ways they survived and overcame that oppression.Themes of the importance of family, education, and determination shine through as the story of Clifton Taulbert's life is told from birth to 18.It is a fascinating journey to be introduced to the variety of solid people that poured into his life and enabled him to rise up and succeed.
- I Love It!Watching this video reminds me of where I came from and helps me to appreciate where I am today.It removed all complaints from me!
- A Flash of Color From the PastThis movie was very well done. From the casting of the primary actor (a handsome young boy who is groomed at his wise old grandfather's knee) to his family-loyal aunt (the already accomplished actress Phylicia Rashad), this movie invites you into a world that any modern black American would be desperate to escape. The movie starts in the harsh, back-breaking times of old (post-slavery, sweat and dust-coated, and mentally as well as physically oppressive). As one of a million people who watched Alex ... Read More
- GROWING UP IN THE DEEP SOUTHONCE UPON A TIME...WHEN WE WERE COLORED - (1995)
RATING - PG for thematic elements including mild violence, language and sensuality.
STARRING - Al Freeman, Jr., Phylicia Rashad, Leon
THEME - Racial discrimination, family, community, growing up in the South.
REVIEWS - Siskel & Ebert (4/4) 'TWO THUMBS UP'
STORY - The film begins in 1946 in a cotton field outside of Glen Allan, Mississippi. A young woman suddenly ... Read More
- A Thoughtful look atwhen "we were colored"ONCE UPON A TIME ..WHEN WE WERE COLORED is a grand and relatively sweeping look at black life in Southern rural Mississippi through the eyes ofauthor Clifton Taulbert from the years 1946-1962.In nearly two hours, we are reintroduced to the one of if not the most degrading pieces of our history as Americans, the times when "colored" and "white" existed in a segregated community.Though there is essentially nothing new for we oldsters to learn that we unfortunately lived through, Tim Reid's treatment of ... Read More
