When disneys american legends was announced way back at the end of 2001, the rumors of what was going to be included in this animated collection of cartoons based on legendary figures was enough to spark off interest in this release, for word went around that we would finally be able to see the studios long delayed short john henry. And john henry was the strongest, the most powerful man working the rails. He is also the protagonist from the short film of the same name. In 1974, nick bosustow and david adams coproduced an 11minute animated short, the legend of john henry, for paramount pictures. In most versions of the famous tall tale, john henry was 7 feet tall and could drive a hammer faster than any man alive. John henry grew up in a world that did not let children stay children for long. Follow the trail of johnny appleseed, who planted apple trees along the new frontier. Nominated short subject animated oscars academy awards. John henry, a freed slave, happens across a railroad building project. The story of the legendary african american folk hero, who pitted his strength against that of a machine. The cartoon tells a story of two freed slaves john henry and his wife polly ann on the search for work and a new home during reconstruction. We are an education focused, safe venue for teachers, schools, and home learners to access educational for the classroom.
John henry is an all new, or at least, never before seen disney cartoon, the other three are classics you might remember from your childhood. John henry, the untold story of an american legend, historian scott reynolds nelson detailed his discovering documentation of a 19yearold african american man alternately referred to as john henry, john w. John henry, he would spend his days drilling holes by hitting thick steel spikes. Journey with the giant lumberjack paul bunyan as he clears the land for american settlers. Disney celebrates the legends that inspired a country with classic stories of real american heroes in this allnew, full length animated collection, disneys american legends. According to legend, he was born with a hammer in his hand.
Yes his name is john henry the movie is called john henry 2000 also found in disneys american legends. John henry, johnny appleseed, paul bunyan, and casey jones. Join john henry on a scenic journey from cotton country to the wilderness, where he finds men of all colors working together to build a great railroad. Click here to visit our frequently asked questions about html5. Unlike the disney short however, legend is that he was buried at the white house, a nearby penitentiary. The legend of john henry level m 3 4 john henry was born into a slave family. Pal had a great deal of respect for african american folklore, feeling that it was one of the richest folklores in the world. Of course, american legends was how i first heard of the john henry legend. Dwayne the rock johnson slammed for casting himself in. Does anyone remember an old, animated, john henry movie that wasnt made by disney. Loving2learn offers you a tall tale john henry, to readable online and a learn along video. Consists of new narration by james earl jones, which is interspersed with the disney shorts john henry 2000, johnny appleseed 1948, paul bunyan 1958, and the brave engineer 1950.
Includes the shorts johnny appleseed, the brave engineer, paul bunyan and john henry. This is the worst quailty so i cant get blocked by disney. The film features the brave engineer 1950, paul bunyan 1958, john henry. John henry, like the uncle remus tales, is an example of african american folklore. The folk legend of john henry, and his contest with a steam engine to cut a railroad tunnel through a mountain, is told in song by roberta flack. An animated short film that tells the life story of the famous lumberjack john henry who raced against a steam powered machine that chopped wood. Disneys american legends is a 2002 directtovideo animated anthology film hosted by james earl jones.
On may 17, 2019, a youtube channel called archive uploaded the whole short, which was narrated by american singer roberta flack. John henry is one of the legends in american legends. Much like the teams other work, john henry is part musical, part fable, part love letter to american nostalgia. This program features liveaction interstitials by guest host james earl jones, who introduces four cartoons based on americas heroes and legends. The compilation is narrated by and features the following walt disney feature animated shorts. With alfre woodard, geoffrey jones, tim hodge, dave murray. John henry is a man who was once a slave, until the emancipation proclamation freed him and his love, who immediately get married.
With james earl jones, alfre woodard, geoffrey jones, tim hodge. He was born a slave in the 1840s but was freed after the war. The real tall tale of john henry and the railroad a. Virtually every schoolchild knows the tale, transmitted through song, story or animated.
Walt disneys american legends paul bunyan, john henry. The moral of the story is to look around you and for everyday heroes and appreciate them. When he was just a boy, he had to do the work of a full grown man. The story of john henry was released in 2002 as directtovideo animated anthology film hosted by james earl jones on the disneys american legends dvd. When a powerful machine threatens his job on the railroad, henry competes against the machine and wins.
Retells the story of john henry, who raced against a train. James earl jones hosts this program featuring the stories of four american legends. American legends is a home video that was released february 12, 2002. Please join our john henry yahoo discussion group read dr. Disneys american legends animation movies for kids youtube.
Legend of john henry 1973 movies and films database. An american legend is a childrens picture book written and illustrated by ezra jack keats, which tells a story about john henry, who was born with a hammer in his hand and was inspired by the american folk hero of the same name. An entire crew of freed slaves has been promised land if they can finish by. John henry and the railroad is a fresh take on the legendary tall tale watch the short film right now. Disneys american legends dvd celebrate the legends that inspired a country with classic stories of american heroes in this full length animated collection. Disneys american legends 2001 directed by jack kinney. American legends featuring john henry animated views. The johnny appleseed cartoon features a song about the lord and a bible that accompanies johnny wherever he goes. Dwayne the rock johnson is slammed for casting himself as darkskinned african american folklore legend john henry in his upcoming netflix film. Does anyone remember an old, animated, john henry movie. Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available. All of a sudden, a brilliant flash of lightning and crash of thunder strike, and her son john henry appears, full grown. Disney and john henry by kelsey miranda walt disney pictures created an animated short depicting the life of american legend john henry.
Parents need to know that though the first cartoon about john henry is a more inclusive look at an african american hero, the other three cartoons are much more dated and less educational retellings of american legends. Surreal dreamlike moments mix with the domestic realities of a broken up family in this hand animated film set in 1980s toronto. Disneys retelling of the legend of john henry, the steeldriving man. The film features the brave engineer 1950, paul bunyan 1958, john henry 2000, and the legend of. After doing some research i think it might have been the legend of john henry by paramount pictures but the only place you can still find it is on film at a local library so i havent been able to. The boy picked up a small piece of steel and a workmans tool, a. John henry, the railroad builder, proved the value of believing in oneself. The pistol in the film used to start the race is based on one of his own civil war era pistols. Disney cartoon about american folk hero john henry, a former slave who.
Disney celebrates the legends that inspired a country with classic stories of great american heroes in this allnew full length animated collection. The result is a mythic concoction that is decidedly whitestonea feel good fantasy about hard work. A free community for sharing instructional videos and content for teachers and students. In the american mythic pantheon, john henry stands right at the top, alongside paul bunyan and pecos bill. He and some other freed slaves are building the railroad until a man with a machine comes along claiming the machine. The story of the legendary african american folk hero, who pitted his strength against that of a machine and won the contest. They go to strike it out and john henry famously works on the railroad to get his wife and himself some land so they can be independent. An animated musical based on the life of john henry. Dwayne johnson will play john henry in new movie for. Whats the name of that animated movie with the black guy. Meet the doers and dreamers who made america great. The films new short is based on john henry and stars alfre woodard and tim hodge.
John henry 2000 disneylife watch disney movies, tv. Disneys american legends full movie movies anywhere. The newest edition to their folkloric canon comes as a retelling of the old american tall tale, john henry and the railroad. Topics animated films, african americans, tales, folklore, african. A largerthanlife tale about the african american hero born with a hammer in his hand. The legend of john henry came about during the railroad boom era of the early 1800s please. The story is told from the point of view of john s wife, polly. A classic tale brought to life in this lovely short film. Tall tales contain exaggeration, adventure, and outlandish characters.
One of the most colorful characters in american folklore is the legendary john henry. With terry crews, dohn norwood, maestro harrell, ludacris. Whether he was a true historical figure or a fictitious hero carved into the minds of common americans by oral tradition, his story has given inspiration to generations. Garst provides his perspective on ideas presented in dr. It is a compilation of four previously released animated musical shorts from walt disney animation studios based on american tall tales. Henry, or john william henry in previouslyunexplored prison records of the virginia penitentiary.
The new movie starring crews is just one of two projects based on african american folklore hero john henry coming up in the near future. Based upon the african american folk tale, john henry and the inky poo opens on a dark, stormy night. Disney and john henry by kelsey miranda american icons. He heard somethin about railroad work needing to be done. Well, i was four when i saw this movie, and just like every single small child in america, they all have that train obsession like i did, but i wasnt to aware of how backbreaking and tough it was for railroads to be built. Youll meet the doers and dreamers who made america great including john henry, the railroad builder, who proved the value of believing in oneself. Directed by lara shapiro, mark henn, wilfred jackson. John henry lives on, however, through all of his reproductions in movies, song, and books. Although john henry is the legend that lives, there were hundreds of men that died doing the same thing that he did.
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