Mister Johnson

Amazon.com

British East Africa, 1923. Harry Rudbeck, an ambitious army officer, wants to build a road to bring the outside world to the backwater town where he is posted. Struggling to find ways around Foreign Service bureaucracy, he relies on his resourceful African clerk, Mr. Johnson. But when Johnson's can-do attitude runs afoul of British law, Rudbeck must make a painful decision. The film is deliberately paced, and the topnotch cinematography, art direction, and soundtrack all conspire to immerse you into the sweltering heat of East Africa. Maynard Eziashi gives winning performance as Johnson, a man so intent on becoming important that it destroys him. Like many of director Bruce Beresford's movies, this is a clear-eyed look at the way a collision of two cultures can lead to tragedy. Rudbeck must ultimately face the fact that his own ambition leads to the death of his friend, and Pierce Brosnan (as Rudbeck) and Beresford refuse to sentimentalize the man at all. Among Beresford's films, this is much closer in tone to Breaker Morant than to the kinder, gentler Driving Miss Daisy. --Geof Miller

Customer Reviews:

What The Road To Hell Is Paved With.......2004-05-27

Read Amazon.com's editorial review of this movie for a good overview of its setting. I can only add that the movie is a look at how good intentions can backfire, in this case that of the European view of progress mixing with African tradition like oil with water.

The outcome is tragic, yet the principal characters have nothing but fine motives for what they are about. Culture and other impersonal forces have the final say, and one is left to wonder if progress, or may I say "progress," should be forced on a reluctant people.

Director Bruce Beresford has been rather unfairly criticized for lop-sided portrayals of virtuous native cultures versus corruptive western civilization, but as with his superb "Black Robe" movie "Mister Johnson" shows some of the less flattering sides of primitive societies. Indeed, "Black Robe" set off a minor spate of protest for its unblinkingly frank portrayal of Indian tribes in North America several centuries ago.

Ultimately it's probably safe to say that "Mister Johnson" gives a fairly sympathetic showing of the Africans suddenly entangled in the road project headed up by Pierce Brosnan's character, but does so without truckling. This movie also shows that Brosnan has a broader range than just playing Bond, James Bond.

A Classic Tragedy.......2002-05-04

This deceptively simple, underrated drama is actually a very good classical tragedy, set in colonial Africa. The protagonist is brought down by his tragic character flaw; the rules of unity are also in evidence. Give it a chance, particularly if you are a student of classical literature.

Okay..........2000-08-17

I did find this to be slow-moving, but nonetheless rewarding. So, that's a mixed review! But it was intelligently written, beautifully shot, and well-acted. And I lived in Africa for a year, and saw how some of the Africans really lived in the present, without regard for the future. And it's Mr. Johnson's disregard for the consequences of his actions that does him in. Very true to the African character, I'm afraid (call me a colonially-minded bigot if you want, but that was my experience). So I found the movie true-to-life on that score.

Terrible DVD quality! So-So Film........1999-10-23

This DVD has the worse quality of any DVD in my collection, even though the box reads "guaranteed superior quality". Grainy picture, washed out colors, and sound that plays more through rear speakers are some of the low points. This is the reason for the low rating of 2 stars.

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

What The Road To Hell Is Paved With.......2004-05-27

A Classic Tragedy.......2002-05-04

Okay..........2000-08-17

Terrible DVD quality! So-So Film........1999-10-23

Product Description

Set in Nigeria in the 1920's

Average customer rating:

OK
Wrongheaded vehicle for comedian Hill

Mr. Billion
Starring: Terence Hill , Valerie Perrine , Jackie Gleason , Slim Pickens , and William Redfield
Director: Jonathan Kaplan
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000JLQPR2

Customer Reviews:

OK.......1999-08-13

this would have been terence hills big break to make him famous in the states and canada....but what was that????? that wasnt a terence hill movie....it was a 70s love movie.....not like the trinity series or my name is nobody.....rent his other films please... but dont get me wrong i liked this movie but not his type

Wrongheaded vehicle for comedian Hill.......1999-02-24

This is one of those American produced films that showcase a European star (in this case, Italian Terence Hill) with the idea of promoting his fame in the US while ignoring everything that made him famous in his home country (like a Jackie Chan film with boring American fight choreography). Terence Hill became known for his slapstick comedy spoofs like "They Call Me Trinity" and "Crime Busters" but there is practically no slapstick here; just a 70's chase film with practically nothing to distinguish it from a dozen others (except that it has fewer chases than most!) Check out Hill's other films instead.

Average customer rating:

Mister Johnson
Starring: Maynard Eziashi , Pierce Brosnan , Edward Woodward , Beatie Edney , and Denis Quilley
Director: Bruce Beresford
Manufacturer: Direct Source Label
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

4-for-3 All DVDs | 4-for-3 DVD | Stores | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

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ASIN: 1896306950
Release Date: 2001-01-30

Average customer rating:

Mister Johnson

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Murder 101

ASIN: B000KH04H2

Product Description

In 1923 British Colonial Nigeria, Mister Johnson is an oddity -- an educated black man who doesn't really fit in with the natives or the British. He works for the local British magistrate, and considers himself English, though he has never been to England. He is always scheming, trying to get ahead, which lands him in a lot of hot water.

DVD:

DVD

DVD