Hallelujah (1929)

Nominated for 1 Academy Award:

Best Directing

King Vidor

It won 0 Oscars out of a total of 1 nomination in 1929-30.


Hallelujah, or Hallelujah!, is the story of a buck-and-a-half cotton-picker named Zeke, who is swindled by conman, Hot Shot, and temptress, Chick.  After the death of his friend, Spunk, he decides to reform his life and become a preacher.  Ultimately, he takes revenge on those who have wronged him in the past and must seek redemption from his community.

Director, King Vidor, had long been interested in pursuing this project and capitalized on the advent of sound films in order to finally get it off the ground.  He was so passionate about doing this movie, which would become his first talkie, that he agreed to not even take a salary for his work so that it could get made.  These were the terms that MGM had because they were uncertain as to whether this film could be successful or not.

This is widely considered to be the first film to feature an all-black cast, even though this is not entirely true.  Certainly, a more accurate description would be that this is the first mainstream film to feature an all-black cast.  Such a feat was accomplished by recruiting nearly four-hundred persons of color who were not professional actors.  It would go on to become both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.


Editorial:

The fact that this film was made merely fourteen years after The Birth of a Nation (1915) makes its story even more incredible.  What is so moving about this picture is that, even though the story does not entirely support it, the film is a celebration of black music.

King Vidor once again contributes a cultural artifact of utmost significance.  It is so important that everyone should view this at some point in their life.  If you have any interest whatsoever in black history, black music, or cultural diversity, this is an absolute must-see.

Score  |  09/10  |  This motion picture may be required viewing.