The Green Pastures - Rare Film - 1936

This is a film that modern audiences may approach with mixed feelings. At a time when black actors struggled harder than any other period, this film emerged with the historical significance of being the first in history to use an entirely black cast. The Green Pastures, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Marc Connelly, is a reenactment of stories of the Old Testament in which all the characters (including God) are African American and speak in a black southern dialect.The Green Pastures follows stories of the Bible, such as Adam and Eve, Noah and the flood, Moses and the exodus from Egypt, and the crucifixion of Christ, but places them in a rural black southern setting.


There is nothing intrinsically offensive about this all-white use of all-black stereotypes to illustrate the gospel religion of Deep South slavery. On one hand at times one can tell stereotypes where forced upon some of the actors, on the other hand, in a matter of seconds, they are given the ability to act as true actors of the day, i.e. no stereotypes. While one could easily find fault with some of the direction given to the actors - its does stand as an amazingly progressive film for 1936. Moments like the mass Exodus of Slaves, singing gospel hymns, is nothing short of moving - frankly breathtaking. And one can almost sense the joy of the actors portraying such a scene in that day and time.

There can be no questioning the uplifting moral fiber of the tales, the infectious spirit of its music, or the genuine affection brought to their parts by the actors involved. In my mind this is a must see, not only is it an amazing film in it own right, but it serves as a piece of history. One where the white audience is served the foolish stereotypes of their day and at once back-handed by the graceful presence the actors displayed in a story where slaves are lifted up by God (a black YHWH). It was no accident that the film is double handed, and for this reason its is truly a work of art and a rare jewel of its day.

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