The Learning Tree

Play trailer

The Learning Tree

PG

1969

1h 47m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

17 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

As an African-American teen in small-town Kansas in the 1920s, Newt Winger (Kyle Johnson) largely shrugs off the racial prejudice of his time and place. His calm and self-controlled perspective is in direct opposition to that of his quick-tempered friend, Marcus Savage (Alex Clarke). But when Marcus' father, Booker (Richard Ward), murders a man -- and Newt witnesses the crime -- Newt realizes that going to the police could jeopardize both his friendship and his life.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Stream Now

Variety Staff

Variety

10/16/2007

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.

Go to Full Review

Roger Greenspun

New York Times

05/09/2005

4/5

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.

Go to Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

08/16/2003

4/5

Touching autobiographical story with brilliant cinematography.

Go to Full Review

David Harris

Spectrum Culture

11/01/2022

Written and produced by Gordon Parks, The Learning Tree meanders. It’s more slice of life than narrative-based.

Go to Full Review

Michael J. Casey

Boulder Weekly

02/10/2022

4/5

"Layers are the real strength of 'The Learning Tree.'"

Go to Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

02/02/2022

3.5/4

a compelling narrative that addresses the realities of black life in America within the familiar framework of a moving coming-of-age tale whose emotional peaks and valleys are the stuff of shared human experience to which anyone can relate

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Dallas H

@RT53171010 01/11/2025

I don't like the sheriff. He's always in a rush to pin the blame for a crime on the first person he assumes is the guilty person without bothering to do any investigation at all. The rest of the movie is okay. I thought it was a decent viewing.

See more

06/30/2019

This is an exceptional film that deserves to be better recognized by critics. More importantly, every American should see The Learning Tree.

See more

delysid d

@RT67044741 04/11/2019

back in the old days it was convenient to just shoot black people instead of arresting them... but they dont do that anymore do they?

See more

s r

@ScottR 10/07/2018

Some forced powerful themes that demanded your attention. I did not always find the characters believable, but the message made up for it.

See more

01/16/2014

good bio-pic of sorts of the director the gr8 gordon parks

See more

08/01/2013

beautifully photographed as one would expect from parks..and definitely worthy of its selection into the national film registry.....

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Gordon Parks

Director

Kyle Johnson

Newt

Alex Clarke

Marcus

Estelle Evans

Sarah

Dana Elcar

Kirky

Mira Waters

Arcella

I Never Sang for My Father

100%

84%

I Never Sang for My Father

Watchlist

Model Shop

83%

48%

Model Shop

Watchlist

The Swimmer

100%

83%

The Swimmer

Watchlist

They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

82%

89%

They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

Watchlist

Downhill Racer

85%

57%

Downhill Racer

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Downhill Racer

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Gordon Parks, Influential Director And Photojournalist, Dead At 93

View more photos

Synopsis

As an African-American teen in small-town Kansas in the 1920s, Newt Winger (Kyle Johnson) largely shrugs off the racial prejudice of his time and place. His calm and self-controlled perspective is in direct opposition to that of his quick-tempered friend, Marcus Savage (Alex Clarke). But when Marcus' father, Booker (Richard Ward), murders a man -- and Newt witnesses the crime -- Newt realizes that going to the police could jeopardize both his friendship and his life.

Director: Gordon Parks
Producer: Gordon Parks
Screenwriter: Gordon Parks
Distributor: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Production Co: Winger
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 6, 1969, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 17, 2012
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Mono

Most Popular at Home Now