Disney presents the inspiring true story of one little girl whose strength and dignity during the racially charged 1960s helped change history! When bright six-year-old Ruby is chosen to be the first African-American student to integrate her local New Orleans elementary school, she is subjected to the true ugliness of racism for the very first time. But guided by the love of her mother (Lela Rochon — WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE, WAITING TO EXHALE) and father (Michael Beach — SOUL FOOD, TV’s THIRD WATCH), Ruby’s heroic struggle for a better education becomes a lesson for us all. An acclaimed and entertaining motion picture also starring Penelope Ann Miller (THE GUN IN BETTY LOU’S HANDBAG, CARLITO’S WAY) and Kevin Pollak (THE USUAL SUSPECTS, A FEW GOOD MEN) — you’ll want to share this remarkable story of courage and pride with your family!This well-conceived made-for-television Disney movie brings the pain and difficulty of desegregation to life for a generation of kids to whom the 1960s is ancient history. Young Chaz Monet plays Ruby, who in real life walked up those Southern school steps with armed guards barely shielding her from the hate-filled epithets white adults hurled at her as she single-handedly desegregated the institution. Penelope Ann Miller plays her Yankee teacher–actually a tutor, since no white kids will share her classroom. Kevin Pollak plays the psychiatrist who donates his time to help her deal with the trauma, but won’t eat her mother’s food. This 89-minute film offers surprisingly complex portraits of many of the adult characters and an admirably frank look at the less-than-positive reaction from her own community. Even her father (Michael Beach) waivers in resolution, especially when his white boss fires him. Superior acting, writing, and production mark this look at one of the uglier periods in American social history and the little girl who helped the country take a giant step in the right direction. Somewhat scary situations and use of racial slurs make parental guidance advisable for young children. (Ages 7 and older) –Kimberly Heinrichs
Buy “Disney’s Ruby Bridges” For Only $7.25
March 16, 2008
#1
After viewing this movie in class my fifth grader came home with a very confusing view about his inter-racial parents. If this movie is to be shown in a classroom I feel that the teacher and school should seek the consent of all parents before showing it. I didn’t have that opportunity. Although it might have been a learning lesson for some, it was not a good experience for my child.
March 16, 2008
#2
This movie is an important movie for anyone to watch. It shows what it was like to be Ruby Bridges, the first black student to be desegregated. She had to endure tortures that an adult would not want to go through. It also shows the struggles the family had to go through as well. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend you watch it.
March 16, 2008
#3
Its based on a TRUE story is the caption in the beginning of the film. And the story unfolds from there. It paints the perfect picture of just how CRUEL & EVIL ALOT of SOUTHERN “WHITE PEOPLE” were even to little black children during that time. The white people during that time in The SOUTH simply seemed to see black people as “creatures” dirty, filthy, nasty creatures. And it was a complete shame & disgrace! With the exception of a few “good” white people in this movie, white people just could not imagine their white children going to school with “black children” in the first place so for it to actually be happening during this time when the whole “Brown Vs Board of Education” had previously took place & school integration was mandated.
1. There was the “Little Rock NINE” story where the 9 black students were chosen to attend an all white High School in Little Rock Arkansas. These nine students needed the MILITARY to escort them to school through out the entire day from the EVIL white kids and their equally IGNORANT RACIST parents.
2. & then there was the story of little Ruby Bridges. The little black girl that had to endure the same cruel torment each & every grueling day being escorted to school also by security. White people took their kids out of school (kids missed ALOT of school), because they didnt want their white children in the same class as a little black girl. The little black girl wouldnt eat her lunch (shed hide the lunch in the class room & pour the juice in the glue bottle) because shed hear the white people say they were going to “poison her”? How EVIL was that? REDICULOUS!
Just imagine if you will being the mother or father of this sweet black little girl, having to go to this school each day & face this ANGRY mob of BIGOT white folks, who called her the most HATEFUL names, spit at her, one woman had a black doll with a rope around its neck held out as she walked by. Another day a white woman had a little black doll in a coffin. I mean My GOD! Black (african Americans) have come a very long way. The black people people who have came before us were very STRONG individuals, that literally placed their lives on the line & some have died, got beaten, water hosed down in the street like dogs, they were spit on. Just disrespected like animals. Not even animals deserve such horrific forms of cruelty. But they endured so much just for us to be able to sit where we want on a city bus (public transportation), drink from any water fountain we please. To use the same “nice-clean” rest rooms, as those mean evil white people.
Every February (especially–since its black history month) I show my collection of Black History DVDs to my 11 year old daughter (since she was 8 years old) so that she can see & know the struggles black people had to face in their history. This way she can see why Barack Obama becoming the 44th president of the US was such an emotional moment for african Americans. She can understand also why Barack Obama becoming president is HISTORICAL. She saw the importance & POWER in VOTING is so important for black people today…my daughter knew of the 3 young men (1 black & 2 whites) who lost their lives in Mississipi fighting for black people to become first class citizens (Registered Voters), because of the DVD documenteries that we watched in previous years.
These types of Documentaries, stories, & films, should be watched in the schools all over America. Black History is just as important as any other “History” if not more important. But since it paints such an UGLY face on the SOUTHERN White people of that time…with the KKK being heavily involved as well with the beatings, murders & lynchings of black & white people involved in the Civil Rights movement during that time. Alot of the young Generation doesnt know about Black History & what took place during that horrible & tragic time. Schools dont put enough FOCUS during February or any time of the school year on the History of Black people. & with our President being African American & really think its ashame. Sure its an UGLY History especially for the white people, but its the UGLY TRUTH that dates back to SLAVERY in America.
AMERICA has a SERIOUSLY UGLY past, & it involves black people, & some good white people as well. More people should know about. If the schools are not teaching your kids this in History Class buy the DVDs and teach them on your own.
March 16, 2008
#4
Excellent DVD Hope President Barak Obama & Michelle Obama & their children watch it and recommend it? Oprah you need to watch this film if you haven’t already watched it? children are a blessing and they show us that race hatred is a waste of time, I liked the moment when she said she forgot to pray that day and started to pray, it was so touching what she said, it bought tears to my eyes ” when she said God forgive them because they don’t know what they are doing, just as Jesus forgave us on the cross” I hope America and the whole world watches this movie it will bring healing and understanding to what race is and those who take advantage of others because of a different skin colour, every school throughout the world should watch it and show it and in particular teachers should watch it before they begin teaching. I have been blessed by watching it, hope UK Television show it especially Film4 and other major network and stop giving excuses why they can’t show it, they have shown coach carter dozens of times and even Roots once.
March 16, 2008
#5
I bought this movie to use during black history month in my high school classes. The students loved it and I too enjoyed the movie’s themes and lessons. I would recommend to anyone looking for a family movie.