The Green Pastures

1936

Drama

1
Rotten Tomatoes Critics - Rotten 84% · 18 reviews
Rotten Tomatoes Audience - Upright 84% · 500 ratings
IMDb Rating 7.0/10 10 996 996

bible all black cast old testament depiction of god

Plot summary

God, heaven, and several Old Testament stories, including the Creation and Noah's Ark, are described supposedly using the perspective of rural, black Americans.

Director

William Keighley Photo
William Keighley

Top cast

Etta McDaniel Photo
Etta McDaniel as Heckler at the Ark
Fred 'Snowflake' Toones Photo
Fred 'Snowflake' Toones as Zubo
Willie Best Photo
Willie Best as Henry - the Angel
Jester Hairston Photo
Jester Hairston as Member of Hall Johnson Choir
720p.WEB 1080p.WEB
853.07 MB
956*720
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 32 min
Seeds ...
1.55 GB
1424*1072
English 2.0
NR
Subtitles us  
23.976 fps
1 hr 32 min
Seeds 3

Movie Reviews

Reviewed by utgard14 7 / 10

"What did God look like, Mr. Deshee?"

Enjoyable movie about a preacher telling his Sunday school class Bible stories about Adam & Eve, Noah, Moses, and more, putting his own distinct spin and flavor on these well-told tales. It's a film that's notable for featuring an all-black cast at a time when such a thing was very uncommon. Today, sadly, the focus for many is on the negatives. Yes, there are stereotypes at play and yes, there's a patronizing tone to the film at times. But rest assured there are no Stepin Fetchits here. One aspect many will flinch at is the stereotyped black voice, which is really more of a white writer's perception of the black voice. That was a common problem back then and, frankly, it often still is today.Fine performances all around with the great Rex Ingram a standout playing several roles. Special mention to George Reed, an actor who doesn't receive much praise but I've enjoyed him in many films. Some of you might recognize him as Conover from the Dr. Kildare series. Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson also appears as Noah. It's an important movie historically and culturally, not just for African-Americans but for everybody. Quality production with a good script and solid direction. Flawed, yes, but heartwarming entertainment that will put a smile on the face of most discerning viewers.
Reviewed by myideeforyou 8 / 10

Great movie

I watched this movie late at night with a bunch of munchkins and wondered why more of the adults didn't come watch it with us... It is a unique, well-made, unassuming, enjoyable, surprising, well-told "story." I say "story," because it is a description more than a tale of one way to conceive of the "Lawd of heaven." Gotta love the southern accents. They did a great job and left me rethinking the way I thought of things and smiling as I thought of the way they portrayed it all. It was also curious to me to see how society's perception of music, race, and Sundays has changed, but how some things never change.Favorite quote... by "The Lawd" - "I'm going ta make me a miracle"
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