The Learning Tree

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The Learning Tree

PG

Released Aug 6, 1969

1h 47m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

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17 Reviews

85%

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.

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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

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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.

Rated: 4/5

May 9, 2005

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Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Touching autobiographical story with brilliant cinematography.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 16, 2003

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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

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Dallas H

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.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/11/25

Full Review

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

02/18/25

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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

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Gordon Parks

Director

Kyle Johnson

Newt

Alex Clarke

Marcus

Estelle Evans

Sarah

Dana Elcar

Kirky

Mira Waters

Arcella

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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

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