Mister Johnson (1991)

100% of critics liked it
(10 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(600 ratings)

Director Bruce Beresford followed up his Academy Award-winning Driving Miss Daisy with another meditation on race, Mister Johnson. Set in West Africa in 1923, Johnson (Maynard Eziashi), the clerk of British administrator Harry Rudbeck (Pierce Brosnan), attempts everything within his power to… More Director Bruce Beresford followed up his Academy Award-winning Driving Miss Daisy with another meditation on race, Mister Johnson. Set in West Africa in 1923, Johnson (Maynard Eziashi), the clerk of British administrator Harry Rudbeck (Pierce Brosnan), attempts everything within his power to ingratiate himself into white society. Johnson hatches a plan to juggle the books so that Rudbeck will have the capital necessary to achieve his ultimate dream of a "great northern road," but when his scheme is uncovered, he is fired. After finding another job with a shopkeeper named Gollop (Edward Woodward), he is again fired for his "creative" financing skills; however, Rudbeck hires him back to oversee the road construction project. When funds are cut off, Johnson convinces workers to do their jobs for free to ensure the project's completion. Once again, he is caught embezzling, and once again, he is let go; in a fit of desperation, he robs and kills Gollup. After confessing to the crime, he begs Rudbeck to kill him, sparing him the humiliation of public execution. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Bruce Beresford
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1991 Wide
On DVD: Jan 29, 1992
Studio: Vestron Video

Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
This just doesn't really work, but then, neither did the novel.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A richly nuanced and well-acted screen version of Joyce Cary's 1839 novel.
Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
A standout performance by Maynard Eziashi in the title role

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Cast

            Maynard Eziashi as Mister Johnson

            Pierce Brosnan as Harry Rudbeck

            Edward Woodward as Sargy Gallup Quilley

            Beatie Edney as Celia Rudbeck

            Denis Quilley as Bulteen

            Nick Reding as Tring

            Oladejo Adegboyega as 2nd Guard

            Sola Adeyemi as Ajali

            Charles Ani as Levi

            Akinola Ayegbusi as Village Chief

            Gladys Dadzie as 2nd Creditor Woman

            Matt Dadzie as 1st Guard

            Saidu Dahtru as Chair Boy

            Albert Egbe as Scribe

            Philip Elegonya as 2nd Policeman

            Bella Enahoro as Bamu

            Chris Erakptybor as Interpreter

            Femi Fatoba as Waziri

            Fred Ibrahim as 1st Policeman

            Sani Izang as Police Sergeant

            John E. Johnson as 2nd Creditor Man

            Mary Kalu as Matumbi

            Tunde Kelani as Jamesu

            Jerry Linus as Saleh

            Musa Udu Mallam as Trader

            Kwabena Manso as Benjamin

            George Menta as Emir

            Laraba Ogomo as Bamu's Baby

            Chief Hubert Ogunde as Brimah

            Ibidun Ogunde as Bamu's Mother

            Moses Okwe as Alhaji

            Wali Umar as Suli

            Hajia Nana Yahaya as 1st Creditor Woman

            Steve James as Aliu
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