Go Tell It on the Mountain (1985) (TV)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

Stan Lathan

Writers:

James Baldwin (novel)
Gus Edwards (writer)

Release Date:

14 January 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family

Plot Keywords:

Based On Novel

Cast

Paul Winfield	...	Gabriel Grimes
Rosalind Cash	...	Florence
James Bond III	...	John Grimes
Roderick Wimberly	...	Roy Grimes
Olivia Cole	...	Elizabeth
Ving Rhames	...	Young Gabriel Grimes
Alfre Woodard	...	Esther
CCH Pounder	...	Deborah
Linda Hopkins	...	Sister McCandless
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Joy A. Aaron	...	Young Florence
James Baldwin
Claude Brooks	...	Boy on Street
Ralph Cole Jr.	...	Elisha's friend
Desiree Coleman	...	Ella Mae
Ruby Dee	...	Mrs. Grimes
Giancarlo Esposito	...	Elisha
Kadeem Hardison	...	Royal
Douglas Turner Ward	...	Reverend James
Rose Weaver	...	Mother Washington

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Learning in Focus

Trivia:

Ving Rhames TV debut.

Movie Connections:

Features Of Human Bondage (1934)

Deeply moving, excellent story

Wow! When I watched this movie, it brought back memories of my childhood in the "sanctified" church, both good and ugly. It is a heart-wrenching film about life, family, and the consequences of unacceptedness, and unforgiveness. The casting couldn't be beat, even if the movie was filmed today. Olivia Cole's sweet, sympathetic, painfully realistic performance should have earned her another Emmy. Ving Rhames, Giancarlo Esposito, and the then young actor I'm not familiar with - James Bond III - all also gave Emmy-worthy performances. Then, of course, the incomparable, late, great Paul Winfield, and legendary Rosalind Cash personified their characters so well, sometimes I almost forgot I was watching a movie! Those who are completely unfamiliar with the black Holiness church in the early 1900's may be somewhat shocked and confused with the final church scene, but if you are at all familiar with the concept of being "filled with the Holy Spirit" in the majority of today's Pentecostal or Full Gospel churches, you will have a better appreciation of it. This movie is indeed a hidden powerhouse more people should have the opportunity to see. Especially if you enjoy movies with a church/family culture theme such as "The Apostle," "The Gospel," "The Color Purple," or any of the Tyler Perry Madea movies.