The Learning Tree (1969)
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73% of critics liked it
(11 reviews) -
87% of users liked it
(509 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… 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
- Directed By
- Gordon Parks
- Written By
- Gordon Parks
- Genres
- Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Sep 1, 1969 Wide
- Studio
- Warner Bros. Pictures
Critic Reviews
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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.
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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.
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Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
It's conventional and rather toothless.
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Ryan Cracknell, Movie Views
Falls into the path of giving a message more than it does letting things emerge organically.
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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.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Kyle Johnson
as Newt
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Alex Clarke
as Marcus
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Estelle Evans
as Sarah
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Dana Elcar
as Sheriff Kirky
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Mira Waters
as Arcella
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Joel Fluellen
as Uncle Rob
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Malcolm Atterbury
as Silas Newhall
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Richard Ward
as Booker Savage
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Russell Thorson
as Judge Cavanaugh
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Peggy Rea
as Miss McClintock
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Thomas Anderson
as Pastor Broadnap
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Don Dubbins
as Harley Davis
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Kevin Hagen
as Doc Cravens
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Zooey Hall
as Chauncey Cavanaugh
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Carole Lamond
as Big Mabel
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Jon Lormer
as McCormack
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George Mitchell
as Jake Kiner
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Felix Nelson
as Jack Winger
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Stephen Perry
as Jappy
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Philip Roye
as Pete Winger
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Morgan Sterne
as Mr. Hall
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Hope Summers
as Mrs. Kiner
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Dub Taylor
as Spikey
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Saundra Sharp
as Prissy
