Saturday, 18 September 2021 19:45

Brother John





BROTHER JOHN

US, 1970, 95 minutes, Colour.
Sidney Poitier, Will Geer, Bradford Dillman, Beverley Todd.
Directed by James Goldstone.

Brother John, on paper, could have been an entertaining success. Sidney Poitier acts the part of a noble, mysterious man from a Tennessee town who comes in at the time of his sister's death, meets the people, is suspected of being a stirrer from New York, is friendly with a local schoolteacher and then goes on his way, his mission over. But on film, the story is difficult to follow and it never clearly emerges who or what John is or meant to be. Poitier looks suitably solemn and heroic, but that is about all. Will Geer is engaging as an old-time doctor who serves as John's prophet; Bradford Dillman does an excellent Keenan Wynn-style southern mayor. In fact the social side of the film is far more interesting than the 'significant' side.

Charming at times, interesting and entertaining in parts, the whole film is far from satisfying and successful. It raises questions. Not everyone might want to be bothered answering them.

1. Was this film meant to be taken realistically or was it a fantasy? Why?

2. Who was John? Why did the doctor think he was mysterious?

3. Was John meant to be an angel of God come on earth?

4. How effectively did the film present black and white relationships? Housing and schooling, industrial disputes, police bullying, ambitious Southern mayors?

5. Did Sidney Poitier present John as a good man, a saint?

6. Where had John been, where had he gained his experience?

7. Why did John move on, where was he going? Had he changed
his town much?

8. Was the doctor a good prophet or apostle of John?

9. Did you like the film? Why? If you did not like it, what was wrong with it?