The Long Walk Home (1989)

85% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(5,133 ratings)

The Long Walk Home is a recreation of a troubled era in American history. The time is 1955; the place, Montgomery, Alabama. When Rosa Parks, an African American woman, is arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man, it is the first volley in the great Bus Boycott, organized by Dr.… More The Long Walk Home is a recreation of a troubled era in American history. The time is 1955; the place, Montgomery, Alabama. When Rosa Parks, an African American woman, is arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man, it is the first volley in the great Bus Boycott, organized by Dr. Martin Luther King in order to desegregate the Birmingham transportation system. The boycott is a decided inconvenience for Miriam Thompson (Sissy Spacek), a well-to-do white woman. Now, Miriam must drive to the black section of town to pick up her maid Odessa Cotter (Whoopi Goldberg) and bring her to work. Outside of her own social circle, Miriam realizes for the first time just how privileged, sheltered and self-centered her life has been. What brings this fact home is the realization that Odessa has literally been raising two families: the Thompsons' and her own. Odessa has also sacrificed her own health and wellbeing to serve her employers without question or complaint. Awakened to the true inequities of "Separate But Equal", and impressed by Dr. King's edict of nonviolent resistance, Miriam joins the boycott. This stirs up the racist feelings harbored by Miriam's husband Norman (Dwight Schultz), who at the behest of his goonish brother Tunker (Dylan Baker) joins the Klanlike White Citizen's Council. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Richard Pearce
Written By: John Cork
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Dec 21, 1990 Wide
On DVD: Nov 26, 2002

Critic Reviews

Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Suffers from too much focus on the white characters, but still an important story, respectfully told.
Kevin N. Laforest, Apollo Guide
An inspiring lesson in tolerance.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
An excellent performance from Whoopi Goldberg. A memorable moment in cinema.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Drama set in Alabama during the 1955 bus boycott proclaiming that racial equality cannot be eased into effortlessly; it requires the rigors of change and commitment.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Leo L

Great movie.
Sarah P

Very powerful movie - great performances by all.

Cast

            Sissy Spacek as Miriam Thompson

            Whoopi Goldberg as Odessa Cotter

            Dwight Schultz as Norman Thompson

            Ving Rhames as Herbert Cotter

            Dylan Baker as Tunker Thompson

            Erika Alexander as Selma Cotter

            Lexi Randall as Mary Catherine Thompson

            Richard Habersham as Theodore Cotter

            Jason Weaver as Franklin Cotter

            Mary Steenburgen as Narrator

            Crystal Thompson
            
            Cherene Snow as Claudia

            Chelcie Ross as Martin

            Dan Butler as Charlie

            Philip Sterling as Winston

            Haynes Brooke as Policeman at Oak Park

            Stacy Fleming as Tall Boy

            Jeff Taffet as Boy #2

            Jay Reed as Boy #3

            Afemo Omilami as Taxi Driver

            Norman Matlock as Preacher

            Nancy Moore Atchison as Anne/Girl At Oak Park

            Schuyler Fisk as Judy (Girl at Oak Park)

            Jim Haffey as Bus Driver

            Daniel Jenkins as Auburn Fan #1

            Kevin Thigpen as Worker #1

            Graham Timbes as Clyde Sellers

            Rebecca Wackler as Lucille

            Jim Aycock as Roger

            Bobby Howard as Clipboard Man

            Crystal Robbins as Sara Thompson

            Shari Rhodes
            
See full cast