The Learning Tree (1969)

73% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
87% of users liked it
(486 ratings)

Gordon Parks' adaptation of his own novel The Learning Tree stars Kyle Johnson as Newt, a black teenager living in 1920s Kansas. He is an intelligent even-tempered young man who meets the many racial prejudices he faces with composure and pride. His best friend Marcus (Alex Clarke) is hot-headed and… More Gordon Parks' adaptation of his own novel The Learning Tree stars Kyle Johnson as Newt, a black teenager living in 1920s Kansas. He is an intelligent even-tempered young man who meets the many racial prejudices he faces with composure and pride. His best friend Marcus (Alex Clarke) is hot-headed and prone to react emotionally when confronted with life's problems. Newt gets into a difficult situation when he witnesses a murder and must decide if he should come forward to clear the man being framed for the crime. Doing so would forever change his own life, as well as Marcus'. In 1989, the film was selected to the National Film Registry in the Library of Congress. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Gordon Parks
Written By: Gordon Parks
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Sep 1, 1969 Wide
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
The Learning Tree is a sentimental, sometimes awkward, but ultimately moving film about the growing-up of a black teenager in rural Kansas during the 1920s.
Roger Greenspun, New York Times
The restraint, the composure, the sufficiency of the sentimental gesture constitute a small gift for memory and a real victory in the first stages of this filmmaker's career.
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
It's conventional and rather toothless.
Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
Falls into the path of giving a message more than it does letting things emerge organically.
Donald J. Levit, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Forty years ago, pioneer Gordon Parks had to step with extra care filming 'The Learning Tree' lest the door shut behind him.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Visually beautiful and moving.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Low key, powerful story
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Touching autobiographical story with brilliant cinematography.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mister C

A Grand Classic of Black Cinema brilliantly directed by Gordon Parks!!! Being the first feature to be directed by black man for a major film studio,this film shows 1920's Kansas as a brutal,hostile racist place and the experiences four friends encounter during the era of Jim Crow… More
A Grand Classic of Black Cinema brilliantly directed by Gordon Parks!!! Being the first feature to be directed by black man for a major film studio,this film shows 1920's Kansas as a brutal,hostile racist place and the experiences four friends encounter during the era of Jim Crow in the Midwest. Brilliant performances throughout from not only debut actor and newcomer Kyle Johnson,but also from Estelle Evans and Dana Elcar.