The Learning Tree

Play trailer

The Learning Tree

PG,

1969,

1h 47m,

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

75%

16 Reviews

Tomatometer

86%

500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

16 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

As an African-American teen in small-town Kansas in the 1920s, Newt Winger (Kyle Johnson) largely shrugs off the racial prejudice of his time and place. His calm and self-controlled perspective is in direct opposition to that of his quick-tempered friend, Marcus Savage (Alex Clarke). But when Marcus' father, Booker (Richard Ward), murders a man -- and Newt witnesses the crime -- Newt realizes that going to the police could jeopardize both his friendship and his life.

Variety Staff

Variety

Oct 16, 2007

The Learning Tree is a sentimental, sometimes awkward, but ultimately moving film about the growing-up of a black teenager in rural Kansas during the 1920s.

Go to Full Review

Roger Greenspun

New York Times

May 9, 2005

4/5

The restraint, the composure, the sufficiency of the sentimental gesture constitute a small gift for memory and a real victory in the first stages of this filmmaker's career.

Go to Full Review

Nell Minow

Movie Mom

Aug 16, 2003

4/5

Touching autobiographical story with brilliant cinematography.

Go to Full Review

David Harris

Spectrum Culture

Nov 1, 2022

Written and produced by Gordon Parks, The Learning Tree meanders. It’s more slice of life than narrative-based.

Go to Full Review

Michael J. Casey

Boulder Weekly

Feb 10, 2022

4/5

"Layers are the real strength of 'The Learning Tree.'"

Go to Full Review

James Kendrick

Q Network Film Desk

Feb 2, 2022

3.5/4

a compelling narrative that addresses the realities of black life in America within the familiar framework of a moving coming-of-age tale whose emotional peaks and valleys are the stuff of shared human experience to which anyone can relate

Go to Full Review

Read all reviews

Leia S

Apr 11, 2019

back in the old days it was convenient to just shoot black people instead of arresting them... but they dont do that anymore do they?

See more

Hermione S

Oct 7, 2018

Some forced powerful themes that demanded your attention. I did not always find the characters believable, but the message made up for it.

See more

Ron R

Oct 5, 2008

The Learning Tree is a sentimental, sometimes awkward, but ultimately moving film about the growing-up of a black teenager in rural Kansas during the 1920s.

See more

Read all reviews

Gordon Parks

Director

Kyle Johnson

Newt

Alex Clarke

Marcus

Estelle Evans

Sarah

Dana Elcar

Kirky

Mira Waters

Arcella

Shadow of the Thin Man

88%

79%

Shadow of the Thin Man

Watchlist

Gaz Bar Blues

100%

87%

Gaz Bar Blues

Watchlist

Enlightenment Guaranteed

70%

94%

Enlightenment Guaranteed

Watchlist

Family Resemblances

89%

91%

Family Resemblances

Watchlist

Baby Face

100%

81%

Baby Face

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Gordon Parks, Influential Director And Photojournalist, Dead At 93

View more photos

Synopsis

As an African-American teen in small-town Kansas in the 1920s, Newt Winger (Kyle Johnson) largely shrugs off the racial prejudice of his time and place. His calm and self-controlled perspective is in direct opposition to that of his quick-tempered friend, Marcus Savage (Alex Clarke). But when Marcus' father, Booker (Richard Ward), murders a man -- and Newt witnesses the crime -- Newt realizes that going to the police could jeopardize both his friendship and his life.

Director: Gordon Parks
Producer: Gordon Parks
Screenwriter: Gordon Parks
Distributor: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Production Co: Winger
Rating: PG
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 6, 1969, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 17, 2012
Runtime: 1h 47m
Sound Mix: Mono

Join The Newsletter

Join The Newsletter

Cookie Settings