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      The Learning Tree

      PG Released Aug 6, 1969 1h 47m Drama List
      76% 17 Reviews Tomatometer 86% 500+ Ratings Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Feb 17 Buy Now

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      Critics 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. Oct 16, 2007 Full Review 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. Rated: 4/5 May 9, 2005 Full Review Nell Minow Movie Mom Touching autobiographical story with brilliant cinematography. Rated: 4/5 Aug 16, 2003 Full Review David Harris Spectrum Culture Written and produced by Gordon Parks, The Learning Tree meanders. It’s more slice of life than narrative-based. Nov 1, 2022 Full Review Michael J. Casey Boulder Weekly "Layers are the real strength of 'The Learning Tree.'" Rated: 4/5 Feb 10, 2022 Full Review James Kendrick Q Network Film Desk 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 Rated: 3.5/4 Feb 2, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Garey J A great great movie and one that I believe every American should view. The themes that are portrayed in the movies are just as real in 2023 as in 1923. Movies for the thinking man. And by the way it isn't illegal yet, thinking that is! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/14/23 Full Review Audience Member This is an exceptional film that deserves to be better recognized by critics. More importantly, every American should see The Learning Tree. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review delysid d 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? Rated 3 out of 5 stars 04/11/19 Full Review s r Some forced powerful themes that demanded your attention. I did not always find the characters believable, but the message made up for it. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member good bio-pic of sorts of the director the gr8 gordon parks Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member beautifully photographed as one would expect from parks..and definitely worthy of its selection into the national film registry..... Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Gordon Parks, Influential Director And Photojournalist, Dead At 93

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      The Learning Tree

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      Movie Info

      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
      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
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