Description

This critically acclaimed film from "The Wonderful World Of Disney" features an all-star cast and is highlighted by a special introduction by President Clinton and Disney CEO Michael Eisner. The year is 1960. The place, New Orleans, Louisiana. When six-year-old Ruby (Chaz Monet) scores well on her local scholastic tests, she is chosen to be the first African-American student to integrate the local elementary school. Escorted to school by federal marshals, she is exposed to the ugliness of racism for the first time. Guided by the love of her family, the support of a white teacher (Penelope Ann Miller, CARLITO'S WAY), and a psychologist (Kevin Pollak, A FEW GOOD MEN), Ruby ultimately becomes an inspiration to all whose lives she touches. Also starring Lela Rochon (WAITING TO EXHALE) and Michael Beach (SOUL FOOD), RUBY BRIDGES is a film the entire family should watch together. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Heartwrentching and Wonderful!
I am a 7th grader from California and my History teacher showed this video in class. I found it to be one of the best videos I have ever watched. It taught me so much and that day I went home and did more research about Ruby Bridges. A few weeks later I decided to do my History Field Day progect on her since the topic was 'New Fronties.' I also bought the movie with my own money and showed it to my brother, who was for some reason kind of prejudice, and since then he has never said one word about not liking a black person. This movie taught me so much and even my parents ask to watch it over and over again. It is heartwrenching every time I watch it and it showed my brother what hard times black people went through and that they do have feelings also. This movie is OUTSTANDING and I recommend it to anyone!

#1 Emotional Film of the year!
This powerful movie is a playback on the intagrating process back in the 60's. With great emotional strenght you will cry your way through seeing the love and hatred of the south in the 60's. This is a wonderful movie and I recomend it to all people!

INCREDIBLE MOVIE
Ruby Bridges is the first movie I've ever wanted to see over and over again. The first time I watched it was in 5th grade. When I saw it, I was really inspired. It shows us all Black women, men, girls and boys can make a difference in this world and do not be afraid of it.

Use this film to teach
Have your students read Ruby's book and then show this film. It illustrates not only the stuggle of integration in personal terms, but other topics related to history and government as well. The supremacy of federal over state laws, the political and social climate of the times. My students had trouble believing this story really happened the way it did, that is untill they pulled up the actual photos on the internet. I cannot recomend this one highly enough.

A good buy for any teacher
I am a first grade teacher and have used this video for a unit on Ruby Bridges in first and second grade. The students have responded very well to it, and it has created for some unbelievable conversation that you'd never expect from this age level. I usually break the viewing up into a few different days, because it is a lengthy film, but it has been one of my favorite videos to show each year. This is a must have for any teacher because it illustrates what courage and strength can accomplish, even at a young age. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Gritty realism; a real eye-opener
When you start with a cast that includes Donald Sutherland, Susan Sarandon, Marlon Brando and Jürgen Prochnow, you're bound to come up with a very powerful movie.

When you add in the highly charged issue of Apartheid in South Africa, you absolutely can't miss.

This movie is based in part upon the events of the Soweto Massacre in 1976, a dramatization of which is shown in all-too-graphic detail, and in part on a (I think) fictionalized account of the types of events which occurred during Apartheid.

An excellent performance by all of the major players and a movie well worth viewing -- more than once.

Great Movie
I was told to watch this film my a college professor many years ago and has since became one of my favorite films. I highly advice this movie for anyone interested in apartide issues.

Brando's great
I didn't watch this when it came out. It was Brando's first film in 10 years, and I thought he'd walk through the part, and be soft. But I just saw it, and he's really great. His part is small. But he deserved the Oscar nomination he got for the performance. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Eye opening portrayel of a National Tragedy.
This film has opened my eyes to the horrible crimes of the state at Attaca. Alan Alda and Rose McGowan gave fantastic performances. I intend to read at least one book about the Attaca rebellion and the massacre that followed. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This well-conceived made-for-television Disney movie brings the pain and difficulty ofdesegregation to life for a generation of kids to whom the 1960s is ancient history. Young Chaz Monet plays Ruby, who in real life walked up thoseSouthern school steps with armed guards barely shielding her from thehate-filled epithets white adults hurled at her as she single-handedlydesegregated the institution. Penelope Ann Miller plays her Yankeeteacher--actually a tutor, since no white kids will share her classroom. KevinPollak plays the psychiatrist who donates his time to help her deal with thetrauma, but won't eat her mother's food. This 89-minute film offerssurprisingly complex portraits of many of the adult characters and anadmirably frank look at the less-than-positive reaction from her owncommunity. Even her father (Michael Beach) waivers in resolution, especiallywhen his white boss fires him. Superior acting, writing, and production mark this look at one of the uglier periods in American social history and the little girl who helped the country take a giant step in the right direction.Somewhat scary situations and use of racial slurs make parental guidanceadvisable for young children. (Ages 7 and older) --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Heartwrentching and Wonderful!
I am a 7th grader from California and my History teacher showed this video in class. I found it to be one of the best videos I have ever watched. It taught me so much and that day I went home and did more research about Ruby Bridges. A few weeks later I decided to do my History Field Day progect on her since the topic was 'New Fronties.' I also bought the movie with my own money and showed it to my brother, who was for some reason kind of prejudice, and since then he has never said one word about not liking a black person. This movie taught me so much and even my parents ask to watch it over and over again. It is heartwrenching every time I watch it and it showed my brother what hard times black people went through and that they do have feelings also. This movie is OUTSTANDING and I recommend it to anyone!

#1 Emotional Film of the year!
This powerful movie is a playback on the intagrating process back in the 60's. With great emotional strenght you will cry your way through seeing the love and hatred of the south in the 60's. This is a wonderful movie and I recomend it to all people!

INCREDIBLE MOVIE
Ruby Bridges is the first movie I've ever wanted to see over and over again. The first time I watched it was in 5th grade. When I saw it, I was really inspired. It shows us all Black women, men, girls and boys can make a difference in this world and do not be afraid of it.

Use this film to teach
Have your students read Ruby's book and then show this film. It illustrates not only the stuggle of integration in personal terms, but other topics related to history and government as well. The supremacy of federal over state laws, the political and social climate of the times. My students had trouble believing this story really happened the way it did, that is untill they pulled up the actual photos on the internet. I cannot recomend this one highly enough.

A good buy for any teacher
I am a first grade teacher and have used this video for a unit on Ruby Bridges in first and second grade. The students have responded very well to it, and it has created for some unbelievable conversation that you'd never expect from this age level. I usually break the viewing up into a few different days, because it is a lengthy film, but it has been one of my favorite videos to show each year. This is a must have for any teacher because it illustrates what courage and strength can accomplish, even at a young age. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Touching without being sentimental, political without being preachy, this story set in 1930s Martinique is both lyrical and powerful. Writer-director Euzhan Palcy tells the story of a young boy who is orphaned at the age of 11 and sent to live with his grandmother, who works on one of the island's sugar cane plantations. Though he is bright, she realizes he has no future if he stays on the plantation. So she does what she can to keep him in school and away from the back-breaking, will-sapping hard labor to which she's devoted her life. Can he rise above his humble beginnings? Will he forget about his self-sacrificing grandmother and leave her behind? Palcy deals with these issues with great emotion but no false sentimentality in this poignant film. In French with English subtitles. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Excellent Depiction of Caribbean Culture, not Haitian
To clarify this movie takes place in Martinique, a French territory, not Haiti, the first free Black nation. I found this movie to be interesting, engaging, and realistic in it's themes. I recommend it as a required viewing for world studies high school classes and college classes on caribbean culture.

Great Post Emancipation Film
The first time I saw this film was in college when our history teacher showed it to us to aide in our discussion of the post emancipation period in West Indian culture. It is one of the most dramatic and historically correct films I have ever seen. The issues dealt with reflect the concerns of the "free man". One can see the emerging importance of education in the building up of the free black community in Martinique during that period as well as the nature of black /white relationships on all levels. For anyone who desires to know more about post emancipation life in the West Indies this is your most entertaining chance. I praise this most dedicated and talented Caribbean film director for an excellent review of a most interesting period in West Indian life. This is and will always be one of my favorite films next to The Sound of Music and Schindler's List. Thanks go out to you Mr.David Omowale Franklin, my most dynamic former sociology and history teacher, for introducing me to Sugar Cane Alley.

de rigueur
As a French major and prospective teacher of French, I ofcourse find this a valuable tool for the classroom--BUT it's so muchmore than that! Since it's so often used in the classroom people tendto neglect that this is an outstanding film, beautifully put togetherwith some memorable acting. Anyone studying West Indian literaturewill get a chance to see in full color an outstanding representationof life in colonial Caribbean. (French teachers can also note that inusing a DVD you have the advantage of switching off the subtitles formore advanced students. And certainly native speakers will appreciatethis feature.) END

splendid depiction of haitian culture?
sorry, karen, this film was depicting life in martinique. nonetheless, it was a great film, and is great for those beginning french.

Karen's 2 Cents
This movie was so moving. The acting was great and the viewer feels that s/he is getting a rare glimpse into Haitian culture. The class struggle is examined thoroughly as well as dreams and hopes of many of the characters. The situation in many ways mirrors situations that evolve because of a desire for the American dream. The corrolations with western culture are clear. Thus, the story can be enjoyed by all audiences. ... Read more