Filter: Hide Spoilers:
Page 1 of 2:[1] [2] [Next]
Index 15 comments in total 

5 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
Pretty good TV movie, about a young boy's dealing with family issues., 10 October 2001
Author: TxMike from Houston, Tx, USA, Earth

I don't know why my original comment on this film never showed up. So here is my much abbreviated version that I can remember. Even though Sidney Poitier plays the "title" role as the Last Bricklayer, he is really incidental to the story. It is about a young boy who is caught up between his busy mother and demanding father who are separated. In trouble again at school, he is digging a ditch when Poitier comments on the clay, how it wants to be a brick. Intrigued, the boy visits Poitier who has the contract for the bricks to build the new library addition in honor of his deceased wife.

Boy actually moves in with the brickmaker, helps him. A storm washes out the first batch of drying bricks, so they get behind. Son asks mom to help, she says she doesn't have time. Son is disappointed, not so much because Poitier may not meet his contract, but because mom refused a favor her son asks. Eventually she helps, dad helps, gets fired for it, bricks are delivered on time, son, mom, and dad begin a new understanding of what is important, and perhaps a family reconciliation. Good story, well-done, and Poitier is his usual superb self.

Was the above comment useful to you?

3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Great MOW! Too bad the producers still owe me 400 bucks..., 5 October 2001
Author: klgretrt

...a thoughtfully written, performed, and photographed Movie of the Week, which took full advantage of rustic rural and suburban locations in and near Charlotte, NC.

Compared to the usual "grind 'em out" television long-form projects, there is a lot of texture and attention to detail: cast performances, production design, cinematography, and even if the casting and direction of the background players.

- a film very enjoyable to view!

Was the above comment useful to you?

4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
The Last Brickmaker in America, 30 June 2006
10/10
Author: marthafernicola from United States

I truly enjoyed this movie as it reminded me of my hometown. After reviewing this movie I knew I had to obtain a copy for my students.This movie was filmed in my hometown of Gastonia, NC. My grandmother went to the old Central High (Washington High) in the movie and my 7 grade history teacher and her husband own the yellow house that the brick maker lived in. I want very much to purchase a VHS or DVD of this movie to show to my students. I teach in an alternative school in Georgia and this movie will help me to explain how to improve your self-esteem, get along with your parents and become an active citizen. Please email me if you know where I can get a copy. Thank you ever so much!

Was the above comment useful to you?

4 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
An American movie without guns!!, 6 February 2004
10/10
Author: jmero from WA, Australia

Nice, little story. Loved to see them make bricks. Ok, the story ain't the most rivetting, but it's nicely told without outrageous effects. Or is it that I long back to a time when the world seemed a more pleasant place?

Was the above comment useful to you?

3 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Predictable but worth watching for Poitier fans, 12 June 2001
5/10
Author: (zeemanguy@aol.com) from Ohio

This film was supposed to air on CBS on April 15, 2001. For some reason CBS ended up changing the schedule so as far as I know this film as never been shown. I got a promo copy somehow. Sidney Poitier is a 73 year old brickmaker. He has recently lost his wife. He befriends a young troubled boy and teaches him some of life's lessons. The movie is predictable but still worth taking a look at if you are a Sidney Poitier fan.

Was the above comment useful to you?

1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
Is this movie on VHS or DVD?, 16 April 2007
10/10
Author: jwlindsey from United States

I could not find a customer service or contact us choice on your site??I am a BIG fan of Sidney Poitier and really loved this movie when I saw it on TV in 2001. A wonderful drama with great performances and serious subject matter. I logged on to try to find a company or on line store where I can get a copy of this movie? Have been looking everywhere trying to find a copy to purchase--please let me know if you know if it is on VHS or DVD and where I can get a copy if it is?? Sidney Poitieris always fantastic as he was in this film or if not available please let me know if you know if it will be shown on TV again any time soon and if so, what date, time and network channel?? Thanks so much.

Was the above comment useful to you?

A great story...a poor movie., 23 February 2009
8/10
Author: Sharon from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

This movie had so much potential, yet all was lost in the production. They had big acting names (Sidney Portier, Piper Laurie), a good story line, beautiful setting, and a great moral. However, the main thought that comes to mind while watching is: why didn't they try to make this better? The dialog was poor, the acting poor, and the story line was disjointed. It left me with more questions than satisfaction. However...

Why is it that good, clean, for-everyone entertainment like this is always pushed aside to produce horrific, violent, foul and sex-driven movies? I would rather watch these poorly produced, poorly-filmed stories, than those that turn my stomach. But it could be so different!

Was the above comment useful to you?

Lame? No. Typical of the genre? Yes., 16 September 2008
7/10
Author: from United States

To the posters looking for this on video, "Feature Films for Families" has released it on DVD. To anyone who knows that company's work, it should clue you in on what to expect immediately. It's not Hollywood, but it's quite good for a watch on the couch with the kids.

Sidney Poitier does fine with the role. True 'nuff, it doesn't have, perhaps, the depth of many of his other roles, but for what it is, he does a fine job and it's very enjoyable because of him.

As for the other actors, no stellar performances, but this thing isn't *supposed* to be a blockbuster. This is a "family movie" from a company that specializes in this market, not a big Hollywood production. It's the sort of thing you watch with the entire family and then talk about afterward ... what did you learn about {something}? Does our family have any problems similar to the one in the film? Have you ever felt like running away? etc., etc.

Yes, it's predictable and *of course* it has a "sappy" ending (although, IMHO, it could be a lot worse on that). "Everyone lives happily (ever) after". So what? Are we supposed to wish for a divorce and Poitier to die in the brick kiln? Lol, I'm amazed at the cynicism around here....

Egbert O'Foo

Was the above comment useful to you?

The Last Brickmaker in America, 18 April 2007
10/10
Author: tmsharel from United States

The Last Brickmaker in America starring Sydney Poitier is about a marriage reconciliation. We need more movies like this. Parents who split cause children to lose hope which is what happened in this movie to Danny Potter. Danny became a troublemaker, and even though his parents were involved in his life, his Dad having moved out of the family home traumatized him. It happens every day to kids whose parents "grow apart." But Mr. Cobb's gentle prodding led the parents to reconcile for the sake of their son. Imagine the happy kids all over the continent if this happened every day. Many parents go on to remarry bring stepparents into children's lives. That has not worked out well for children. Thank you, Mr. Brickmaker, for pointing out that children need the home they were born into.

Was the above comment useful to you?

1 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
Simple but good movie, 16 May 2004
7/10
Author: lgilbertom from Brazil

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

The Last Brickmaker in America is a simple movie but is a good one. Ok, this movie is predictable too, but many movies in those days are, so i don't care about this.

-------------------------Spoilers -----------------------------

This movie bring Sidney Poitier in the role of Mr Henry Cobb a brickmaker that lost his wife recently. He don't see any reason for his life. Every change when a man appears in his house to bring a document that release him from any charges about the new library. From this point Cobb recover the taste for his life.

--------------------------------------

With good performances with a simple but solid script these movie will go envoy the kind of people that is not expecting action and violence.

Was the above comment useful to you?
Page 1 of 2:[1] [2] [Next]

Add another comment

Related Links

Ratings Awards Plot keywords
Main details Your user comments Your vote history