Our Friend, Martin
by Rob Smiley, Vincenzo Trippetti
Our Price: $125.00
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $33.96 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Angela Bassett, Edward Asner, LeVar Burton, Lucas Black, Theodore BordersDirector: Rob Smiley, Vincenzo Trippetti
Brand: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Producer: Andy Boron
Producer: Andy Heyward
Writer: Chris Simmons
Writer: Dawn Comer
Writer: Deborah Pratt
Writer: Sib Ventress
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Animated, Color, Digital Sound, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 60 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-01-13
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Product features:
- English & Spanish subtitles
- Full Frame 1.33:1
- Dolby Digital stereo sound
- Not Rated
- 1999/60 mins./DVD region 1/color
DVD Reviews of Our Friend, Martin
DVD Review: 5th Grade and up, PLEASE!
Summary: 2 Stars
I have just withstood this movie, with a group of confused and bored, 1st graders, in the school I substitute teach in. Our lesson plans this week have included a broad range of activities and simplistic essays on getting along with others, diversity, tolerance and doing our part to make the world a better place, in honor of the work of Dr. Martin Luther King. The grand finale was the gathering of all of the classes to watch this educational video.
ANIMATION QUALITY: Poor. Think Josie and the Pussycats or Scooby Doo.
LANGUAGE: Degrading, tense scenes of whites calling children "colored" or "negroes". Children using inappropriate slang, "butthead","stupid idiot", "dumb" and other words we are instructed to tell our students are "bad words".
VIOLENCE: Think of the classic black and white imagery during the horrible struggle of the 60's: cross burning, KKK, vicious police dogs attacking young men, fire hoses blasting protesters, police clubbing men and women, Dr. King's house burned by arsonists. Also in the movie: a morbidly obese white child physically assaulting an african american child, a school bus driver intentionally trying to run down a child, physical threats of violence between characters.
CHARACTERIZATION: I do not recall any white characters with redeeming values. The main character who is african american has a white best friend, who has an exagerated Forest Gump-type accent and I.Q. All others are bigots, with the exception of the aforementioned, incompetent school bus driver. The main antagonist, the obese, white, bully, wears a heavy-giggle evoking midriff cut tee shirt, that exposes his bosom and pants that expose his derriere.His offensive behavior was enough, without these visuals.
CONTINUITY: The storyline involved time travel, a clever device when done well. With all of the big names in the credits, they would have done well to be consulted by Spielberg. There is one critical jump that utterly confused most of the children; especially when the characters who transported changed their personality, in Jekyl and Hyde style.
I wish this had been a better movie, though I believe it might have some merit with an older, more prepared group, perhaps 5th or 6th graders. It's unfortunate that a better storyline could not have been worked out, considering all of the star power that was cast as voice talent. The end of the movie shows sweet images of diverse groups hugging and playing; this would have been much more appropriate for the young group I was in charge of today. My heart sunk, when a diminutive,young girl came up to me when we were getting ready to go home, and asked me,"Why are white people so mean?"
Bestsellers in DVD
![The Story of Jeremiah [VHS] Image](/images/noimg.gif)
The Story of Jeremiah [VHS]Vision Video; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Wresting With God [VHS]by Vision Video
Vision Video; Published: 1990-10-01; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
Study Bible Video with Workbook [VHS]Spring Arbor Distributors; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $7.95
Price in other shops:
Tempo:Childrens TV Favourites Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $9.17
Price in other shops:
Tempo.Herbs:Parseley'Sb/ Party Video [VHS]HarperCollins Audio; VHS Tape; VHS Video
![Strike the Original Match [VHS] Image](/images/Strike-the-Original-Match-VHS-0001374079-X.jpg)
Strike the Original Match [VHS]New Liberty Films; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Price in other shops:
![Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS] Image](/images/Medjugorje-The-Miracles-and-the-Message-VHS-0001373293-X.jpg)
Medjugorje The Miracles and the Message [VHS]JPN Film Production; Release date: 1995-12-15; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Best price: $29.99
Mayo Clinic Echocardiography Review Course for Boards and Recertification DVD 2008by Mayo
DVD
Price in other shops:
Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging DVD: Single Userby Oakstone
DVD
Price in other shops:
Cost Accounting [VHS]by Charles T. Horngren, George Foster, Srikant M. Datar, Howard Teall
Pearson Canada, Toronto; VHS Tape; VHS Video
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Martin Luther King Jr. - I Have a DreamMPI; Release date: 2005-01-11; DVD
Best price: $8.96
Price in other shops:
Abraham Lincoln - Inspiring Heroes DVDStl; Release date: 2006-01-01; DVD
Best price: $11.97
Price in other shops:
Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.by Doreen Rappaport
Books; Hyperion Book CH; Published: 2007-12-18; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.40
Price in other shops:
Story of Martin Luther King, Jr.by Johnny Ray Moore
CandyCane Press; Ideals Publications; Published: 2002-01; Board book; Book
Best price: $3.57
Price in other shops:
George Washington DVDStl; Release date: 2006-01-01; DVD
Best price: $8.52
Price in other shops:
A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Picture Book Biography)by David A. Adler
Holiday House (P); Published: 1990-08; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.96
Price in other shops:
Harriet Tubman DVDStl; Release date: 2006-01-01; DVD
Best price: $11.49
Price in other shops:
The Rosa Parks StoryROSA PARKS STORY, THE (DVD MOVIE); Release date: 2003-01-21; DVD
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops:
March On!... and More Stories About African American HistoryNew Video Group; Release date: 2010-01-12; DVD
Best price: $6.72
Price in other shops:
Disney's Ruby BridgesBuena Vista Home Video; Release date: 2004-02-03; DVD
Best price: $5.84
Price in other shops: