Brother John ** (1971, Sidney Poitier, Will Geer, Bradford Dillman, Beverly Todd) – Classic Movie Review 7903

Director James Goldstone’s 1971 drama Brother John is a pleasant, well-meaning, though peculiar and not too entertaining nor enlightening little fantasy movie, very much of its period. Sidney Poitier stars as Brother John Kane, a religious mystery man (Messiah, angel or extraterrestrial?) who comes to Alabama for a funeral to check out the world.

Brother John naturally finds it full of cynicism, racism, greed and jealousy among people who want to jail him.

This little-revived film stands and falls by the evident sincerity of Poitier’s performance. But, sweet though that is, and nice though the film is, it all seems a bit much to take. Will Geer is outstanding as old Doc Thomas.

Also in the cast are Bradford Dillman, Beverly Todd, Ramon Bieri, Warren J Kemmerling, Lincoln Kilpatrick, P Jay Sidney, Richard Ward, Paul Winfield, Michael Bell, John Hancock, Zara Cully, Howard Rice, Darlene Rice, Harry Davis, Lynn Hamilton, Gene Tyburn and Lois Smith.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7903

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