A Raisin in the Sun (1961)

User Rating:

8.1/10   

Director:

Daniel Petrie

Writers:

Lorraine Hansberry (play)
Lorraine Hansberry (screenplay)

Release Date:

18 September 1961 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The Prize-Winning Drama That Warms The Screen With Its People and Its Passions!...

Plot:

A substantial insurance payment could mean either financial salvation or personal ruin for a poor black family.

Plot Keywords:

Apartment | Black Family | Argument | Black Culture | Working Class

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 3 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Sidney Poitier	...	Walter Lee Younger
Claudia McNeil	...	Lena Younger
Ruby Dee	...	Ruth Younger
Diana Sands	...	Beneatha Younger
Ivan Dixon	...	Asagai
John Fiedler	...	Mark Lindner
Louis Gossett Jr.	...	George Murchison (as Louis Gossett)
Stephen Perry	...	Travis Younger
Joel Fluellen	...	Bobo
Louis Terrel	...	Herman
Roy Glenn	...	Willie Harris

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #19812) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | UK:PG | USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | UK:A (original rating) | Canada:PG (Ontario - 2006) | Argentina:Atp | Spain:13 | Chile:14 | South Korea:12 | Finland:S | Sweden:15 | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Sidney Poitier was nominated for the 1960 Tony Award (New York City) for Actor in a Drama for "A Raisin in the Sun" as Walter Lee Younger and recreated his role in this production.

Quotes:

Lena Younger: [sobbing] Oh God, please, look down and give me strength!

Movie Connections:

Edited into Afro Promo (1997)

Must see movie

"A Raisin in the Sun" is one of the finest American films ever made. This film discusses many vital issues, such as racism, abortion, trust, family values, greed, and even atheism.

My favorite character in this film is matriarch Lena Younger, impeccably performed by Claudia McNeil. Mrs. Younger is a wise, loving mother and grandmother to her family. While she may not always agree with her children's decisions, she never stops loving them.

Sidney Poitier is brilliant as the defeated Walter Lee Younger. Walter is frustrated with his job as a chauffeur, and believes he has more to offer the world.

Ruby Dee is great as Walter's supportive and level headed wife.

The dialogue and issues that are discussed reinstate the values upon which America was built. I strongly recommend this excellent film.