Whoopi Goldberg – Site

Director: Richard Pearce

Writer: John Cork

Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Sissy Spacek, Dwight Schultz, Ving Rhames

–

Buy the movie:  USA CAN UK FRA DEU AUT

–

See the trailer:

–

–

The film is set in Montgomery, Alabama, United States, during the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott, and features Goldberg as Odessa Cotter, an African-American maid, employed by a well-to-do white woman, Miriam Thompson, played by Spacek.

–

The story is told through the eyes of Miriam’s young daughter Mary Catherine, for whom Odessa is a nanny.

–

Odessa and her family are faced with all of the social problems typical of African Americans at the time: poverty, racism, violence, and discrimination based solely on the color of their skin. When a boycott of the city buses prevents Odessa from riding the bus to work, she is left with no other choice but to walk. Her employer, Miriam Thompson, offers to give her a ride two days a week in order to ensure she makes it to work on time and alleviate the effect the “long walk home” is having on her.

–

However, as the boycott progresses, tensions rise and giving Odessa a ride to work becomes an issue with the white prominent members of her community, as well as with her husband. Miriam is faced with the choice between doing what she believes is right or succumbing to pressure from her husband and friends.

–

After a fight with her husband, Miriam decides to follow her heart and becomes involved in a carpool group for other workers like Odessa. In the film’s emotional final scene, Miriam and Mary Catherine join Odessa and the other protesters in standing against oppression.

–

One of the three GM “old-look” transit buses used in this film was the actual Montgomery Bus Lines bus #2857 that Rosa Parks was riding in when she was famously arrested. The bus was in poor condition by the time the film was made. It was given a partial repaint and was towed by a cable for its scenes in the movie.
–

African-American’s had to pay up front, but stand on the bus at the back:

–

–

Even though there were plenty of seats avalible:

–

–

Trivia provided by The Internet Movie Database:

–

Released straight to video in the UK.

–

–

–

What people are saying:

Wow !  This movie should be shown to every White person over the age of 16! The reason I say that is because it tells the cold, hard truth of what Blacks had to go through back in the 60’s and it’s not sugarcoated at all. It’s not being said to make people feel guilty over something that they probably never took part in, but to educate people in what most public school systems DON’T teach about. As someone of primarily Native American descent who considers themselves pretty educated about Black history, I myself was very shocked and saddened at the brutality that Black Americans had to face (and still do at times). A picture (or movie) is worth a thousand words. This movie would be educational to everyone who views it. I would definitely recommend this movie to others. (mEnTaL_hOpScOtCh from Florida)

–

–

-

I’m a freshman in high school, and at the moment, we’re studying the chronicles of civil rights in my history class. My teacher showed this film to us, and it excited me at first, ’cause I’ve always thought Whoopi Goldberg was awesome and I’ve always enjoyed her films. This was no exception. Movies shown in school tend to be boring, bland and uninteresting. So most of the time, when movies are shown, we take it as an opportunity to catch up on sleep. This movie however, kept our heads up the entire time. We were interested, intrigued, and dying to know what would happen next. It was both thought provoking, entertaining, awe inspiring, and it’s even to safe to say, highly addictive. My teacher showed the film in 40 minutes intervals, as this how long each class period is and we were always stuck in our seats after the bell rang, wanting to watch more. It made us look forward to coming to class. It’s an excellent, excellent movie, that I enjoyed and learned a lot from. (Mike Monahan (midnight@mail.kmsp.com) from Lowell, MA USA)

–

–

–

There is nothing subtle about this slow paced story. It is forceful and frank. The overt hatred by Southern whites toward Blacks is palpable. In no character is this odious racial superiority more evident than in Miriam’s cigar chomping brother-in-law, Tunker. Technically well made, “The Long Walk Home” has value mostly as historical perspective on an important contemporary social issue. As such, the film’s message is just as relevant now as it was fifty years ago. (Lechuguilla from Dallas, Texas)

–

–

–

In eighth grade, my history teacher showed us a movie called “The Long Walk Home”. Usually, movies in history class could put you right to sleep. However, this one was much, much different. For the first time, everyone in class was awake and watching the television screen. It was an amazing movie that really helped us better understand what life was like during the bus boycott. I had never thought that blacks would have trouble getting rides then–I just never thought about it from someone else’s angle before. This movie really helped me understand a different time period. When the bell rang to go to next period, most of the class stayed and lingered a few minutes to catch the end of the movie. A few of us even had tears in our eyes. Don’t miss this movie–it is fantastic. (shimmer212 from USA)

–

–

–

I teach in a small town where the majority of the students are Caucasian. After watching the Long Walk Home for the first time, I began a search to buy it for my personal collection. I use this movie every year after the unit on the Civil Rights Movement. This movie shows students what can be accomplished if everyone is willing to make the necessary sacrifices and work together.

It price cialis also shows them that this was not an easy task. It was more than just giving a speech or refusing to sit in the back of the bus. It was making the commitment to walk to work, the store, everywhere.. regardless of the number of blisters on the feet or how early the walk had to begin.

I am a big fan of Whoopi’s, and while they did not seem to be two of her more popular movies, The Long Walk Home and Sarafina were two of her best. While I was out on disability, my movie, The Long Walk Home, disappeared. If anyone knows where I can get a replacement of her movie, I would definitely appreciate hearing from them.  (bsmmay from U.S.)

–

–

–

I’ve never quite understood why this movie was never a success. It has all the great qualities and ingredients that one looks for in a good drama. Historical or not. Aside from “The Color Purple”,this is one of Whoopi Goldbergs finest movies.She certainly should have gotten an Oscar for this role (which would have made more sense to me than winning from her smaller role in “Ghost”). I agree this is a great movie for kids learning about the downsides in our country’s history,as well as the positives. (happipuppi13 from Phx. Arizona)

–

–

–

Sissy Spacek played a good role. It wasn’t right for black people, to be treated, because they’re different. They should have the same rights, to ride the bus, vote and attend school. The 1960’s were when the civil rights took place. The country was changing. Blacks have always voted here in Arkansas, even before my time. I didn’t like Sissy’s husband’s brother, who was a bigot. I’m glad he slugged him, for slapping his wife. (dlp from El Dorado, Arkansas)

–

–

–

Whoopi Goldberg pulls off another amazing character with this film, she keeps you in full cycle of her role all the way through.

I saw this movie on a movie channel today after been sick off work, it really got me hooked and gave me a good insight of what life was like back then and the big difference of white/black people. I have always been bought up in mixed society and looked at everyone the same but to see this movie and see how people were treated was a real shock to the system. (jesussaysohyeahtokungfu from United Kingdom)

–

–

–

I watched the movie “The Long Walk Home” in a class of mine. At first I thought how boring this movie was going to be, but as I watched I found myself getting quite disgusted with how people acted. After watching this movie I give more respect to African Americans then I had before. I knew that they had gone through some hard times but I never actually knew just how bad it was. I believe that everyone should see this movie, you’ll be surprised how deeply it touches you. I hope that this movie can teach some of us to respect everyone in the world, no matter what religion they are or by the color of their skin … I don’t understand how some people are still racist … but I guess its the way they were raised. (xx_cherry444_xx from United States)

–

–

–

I found myself wanting to know more about the characters in the story. What happened the next day? Did the husband join his wife or did they divorce? Did the two women remain friends? (jeanner-2 from Edinburg, VA)

–

–

–

“The Long Walk Home” brings history back to life in reasonable and wonderfully detailed way. The acting is strong, dialog good, the sets and costuming some of the most thorough I’ve ever seen. Women have to take off their clip earring before speaking on the telephone. They leave lipstick on the edge of their Russel Wright coffee cup. Children stand in fear of adults doing things they don’t understand, and often do NOT get explanations. THEY learn from behaviors. (Ronn Ives/FUTURES Antiques, Norfolk, VA)

–

–

–

THIS was the movie she should have been nominated for; in the BEST ACTRESS category. This was one of the finest performances of the year, and definitely of Ms. Goldberg’s career. Regrettably, she is too well remembered as a comedienne. People forget how well she handles drama. This is a performance worth seeing. (GreyDiva from Houston, Texas)

–

–