I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1979)
Directed by Fielder Cook
Genres - Drama |
Sub-Genres - Biopic [feature], Childhood Drama |
Release Date - Apr 28, 1979 (USA - Unknown) |
Run Time - 100 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - NR
Share on
Synopsis by Hal Erickson
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is based on the writings of African-American poet/playwright Maya Angelou. Though she eventually became America's poet laureate, Angelou was once just another little black girl growing up in Depression-era Arkansas. Her efforts to better herself run up against the stone wall of bigotry; in addition, the girl is traumatized into sullen silence by a brutal rape. Slowly, and with the loving support of her dedicated mother, Angelou overcomes her many deprivations, and by the time she is a high school senior, she has been elected class valedictorian. Constance Good plays young Angelou in this made-for-TV film, which also stars Esther Rolle, Roger E. Mosley, Diahann Carroll, Ruby Dee and Madge Sinclair. Filmed on location in Vicksburg, Mississippi, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was adapted for television by Ms. Angelou and Leonora Thuna; it was first telecast April 28, 1979.
Characteristics
Moods
Keywords
African-American, bigotry, mother, rape, Great-Depression