The Green Pastures

78.00

Pretty fun throughout, but the last 25 minutes are rather boring.

Marc Connelly's controversial Biblical pageant, enacting several Bible stories as poor Blacks of the era ostensibly imagined them, using heavy faux-vernacular dialogue which often makes the modern viewer wince. Despite its patronizing attitude, it's an unquestionably sincere and heartfelt film, and the cast is entirely people of color--something few films even now can claim. The acting, especially Rex Ingram's avuncular "Lawd" and Eddie Anderson's Noah, generally outpaces the material.

There is something absolutely beautiful about The Green Pastures (1936). So down to earth human and strangely honest as it tells the tales of the Bible through the eyes of black folks. A black God, black Noah, black Moses. All real and full of weakness which is what makes this one of the least insulting religious movies I've seen. Rex Ingram as the Lord.... well, if I believed in any God I want him to be like Rex Ingram!

This is a gorgeous and sweet-hearted film. The music is beautiful, the actors are infectious and excitable, and Rex Ingram holds it together as probably the best God I've ever seen on film. Praise to Oscar Polk, too, who's one intense Gabriel.