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Rosenwald

Play trailer Poster for Rosenwald 2015 1h 40m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 31 Reviews 97% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
In the early 1900s, businessman and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald uses his considerable wealth to build more than 5,000 schools to help African-Americans in the South.

Critics Reviews

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John Hartl Seattle Times 10/29/2015
3.5/4
Marvelous ... Go to Full Review
Marc Savlov Austin Chronicle 10/08/2015
2.5/5
Despite its overlong running time and a tendency towards the dreaded "PBS Effect," this documentary... is dependably fascinating. Go to Full Review
Tom Long Detroit News 09/25/2015
B-
"Rosenwald" offers a compelling story of a man who obviously believed that giving is living. Go to Full Review
Mae Abdulbaki Movies with Mae 05/02/2019
3.5/5
Rosenwald does well in balancing both stories as well as taking care to note the importance of the work behind it and its significance. On occasion emotionally stirring, importantly informative, and as humble as Julius Rosenwald was. Go to Full Review
Marc Mohan Oregonian 11/17/2015
B
Documentary portrait of Julius Rosenwald, the Jewish-American head of Sears, Roebuck & Co., whose philanthropy gave a boost to African-American education and culture in the first half of the 20th century. Go to Full Review
John Beifuss Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) 11/04/2015
2.5/4
The story is inspiring, but the film is not cinematic. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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O B @Horuss 09/17/2024 Julius Rosenwald was a remarkable man in many ways. He invented the 19th century version of Amazon known as "Sears and Roebuck" via the famous catalog that made every product known to man available to every American via the US mail including the smallest items to literally a mail order house! But aside from making a fortune and being one of the most influential businessmen in the history of the United States, Rosenwald may have been the most influential and consequential philanthropist in American history as well. The stunning good works he caused to occur in this world and his incredible humility are remarkable. There were several points in the movie where I had tears welling up in my eyes because what I was seeing on the screen was so touching. You won't believe how many good works this man inspired and how many good people who you have heard of were helped out by him via his philanthropic efforts. Definitely take time to watch this documentary! See more 01/15/2021 Amazing how influential this person was -- and no one's ever heard of him! See more 10/30/2015 The incredible story of Julius Rosenwald, who never finished high school, but rose to become the Chairman of Sears. Influenced by Booker T. Washington, this Jewish philanthropist joined forces with African American communities during the Jim Crow South to build over 5,300 schools. Unsung Hero!! See more 09/23/2015 A fabulous film showing the impact that one man can have. Rosenwald is the anti-Trump, who considered his wealth the product chiefly of luck, and used it to support African-American schools and a pantheon of artists from Marion Anderson to James Baldwin to Ralph Ellison and Langston Hughes. Bravo for this film. See more 09/04/2015 a must see! Actual old film footage and humor add to an inspiring portrait of a man who helped build Sears, Roebuck into the Amazon.com of it's day. He built the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and refused to have his name on it. How different from today's mega-donors. He helped countless blacks, including Ralph Ellison, Zora Neale Hurston, and Jacob Lawrence, and whites including Woody Guthrie, and Jews living in poverty in the Ukraine. Do not miss seeing this film! See more Read all reviews
Rosenwald

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Movie Info

Synopsis In the early 1900s, businessman and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald uses his considerable wealth to build more than 5,000 schools to help African-Americans in the South.
Director
Aviva Kempner
Producer
Aviva Kempner
Screenwriter
Aviva Kempner
Distributor
The Ciesla Foundation
Production Co
Ciesla Foundation
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Aug 14, 2015, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA)
$359.2K
Runtime
1h 40m