Stars: Daniel L. Haynes,
Nina Mae McKinney, William E. Fountaine, Harry Gray, Fannie Belle de Knight
Director: King Vidor
Hallelujah is a
cinematic milestone: the first
all-black feature from a
major studio and famed
director King Vidor's (The Champ, The Big Parade) first talkie. But
the film
surpasses its historical significance, telling a
story of such profound dignity and understanding
that it as
fresh and moving as
the day
it premiered.
Featuring a
largely unknown cast and infused
with spirituals, folk songs, blues and jazz
(Irving Berlin provided two songs for
the production),
Hallelujah follows the fortunes
of Zeke (Daniel L. Haynes), a
poor cotton farmer. He succumbs to
the temptations
of Chick (Nina Mae McKinney), a
mercenary honky-tonk girl, finds salvation in
religion, and falls
again when his obsession for
Chick overpowers his better self. Love, loss, passion, redemption and brilliant
moviemaking: Hallelujah has it all.
Format: Full Screen
Special Features:
Commentary (by Black Cultural Scholars Donald Bogle and Avery Clayton Pie),
2 Vintage Musical Shorts: "Pie, Pie Blackbird" & "The Black Network",
Theatrical Trailer, Interactive Menus, Scene Selections
Languages: English (Dolby
Digital Mono)
Subtitles: English,
French, Spanish
Sides: 1
Layers: Dual
Running Time: 100
minutes
Rated: Not Rated
Company: Warner Bros.
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