The Last Brickmaker in America

. . . is this wonderful movie!

This was a wonderful movie. Sidney Poitier was excellent.The plot and cinematography were very well done. I'd certainly never seen inside a brick kiln before and the movie brought it to life. I got nervous hoping everything would work out and no one would get hurt!The other actors were great and the scenery at the protagonist's home was fascinating.This was a beautiful final work for Sidney Poitier. I'm glad he did this wonderful film. Thank you to my friend who suggested it.

The movie begins with two story lines--an older man at the grave side of his not too long deceased wife, who is obviously struggling to find meaning in his days anymore since he can't share them with her, and a young boy tagging the brick of a school building with the words "Washington Sucks". Washington is the name of the school. Next we see him sitting between his obviously concerned parents in the principal's office. You learn that Danny has been in trouble a few times recently which seems to coincide with the time that his parents separated. Danny is suspended from school and is supposed to work for his Dad during the day and spend evenings with his Mom doing his schoolwork. The parents can't get past their troubled relationship to deal with their son's behavior in a united way and he can't stand any more of their bickering and blaming, so he runs away. He had met Henry Cobb (the grieving man) one day when he was working for his Dad and Henry had invited him to come to his place and see how brick was made. Danny had taken him up on it and was fascinated with the ancient process of brickmaking and Mr. Cobb's knowledge of the history of it. Now he runs to Mr. Cobb for refuge from his own unhappy home.Before his wife's death Henry Cobb had been commissioned to make the brick for the new library at the Washington School. His wife had been librarian there and he knew this was important to her, but he couldn't find a passion for his work since she died.It just so happens that Danny's father is the project manager for the new library and his boss has been on his case to get Mr. Cobb to sign off on his contract for the brick. The boss owns a brickmaking company and he wants to use their brick for the job--and he is sure Mr. Cobb won't have his brick ready in time and they would have to sue him for the delay. But Henry Cobb won't sign. He plods along making his brick and when Danny arrives he pitches in to help. Danny's parents semi-reluctantly agree to let him stay with Henry for a while.*SPOILER ALERT*Henry and Danny grow to trust each other and literally have to "weather a storm" which wipes out several days' work and makes their goal seem impossible. Henry tries to approach Danny's father about an extension of just a few days, but with the pressure his boss has put on him, he can't give in. Danny goes to his Mom to see if she will come work with them after her teaching hours for the school choir, but she has just been given a big program to prepare for and it will require extra hours after school. Danny feels let down by both of his parents. It has become so important to him to help Henry get the bricks made on time.You begin to see glimmers of hope as Danny's parents start to realize the consequences of the choices they have made. Danny learns a surprising fact about Henry's past and a choice he had made that he always regretted. You can see that his experience has given him insight into what Danny's family needed.This is a movie about relationships, motives, choices and consequences--all centering around what really matters in life. It is worthwhile viewing and family friendly, though there are a couple of incidents of swearing which may not be to the liking of some.

This video presents several interconnected themes . . .1 - Pride (self-respect) the craftsman creates by excellence in his work.2 - Successful marriage produced by putting the interest of the other ahead of their own.3 - Empathic listening succeeds where critical talk fails.4 - Hard work, keeping promises, essential to honorable life.5 - Forgiveness, where possible, needed.6 - Money, work, job, status not enough to bring happiness or success.7 - Pain of loss in death, and how to endure, overcome.Great!There are probably other lessons here contained. Nevertheless, not preaching, not condemning, but presenting normal, regular people caught up in modern society, current culture.We’ve all been (are) there and we know many who exist (live) in this place. What to do? Who can help?How can these decisions be changed? What is most important? Financial security? Career satisfaction? Status? Family togetherness? Principles and virtue? Personal honor?How and what has to be sacrificed?Where can wisdom be found? And what is it?Watch the movie!(Recalls the proverb - ‘Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need)

Very good movie. A+. Good story and acting by Sydney Poiter and the boy.

A sweet, gentle movie about good deeds, kindness, family, life, lifes work. Nice family movie.

This movie has a good story line. Sidney Poitier is a fine actor.

This movie is one of Sidney Poitiers last performances. I'm not kidding. There is a scene where he is standing in the sun, looks toward the camera and looks 20 years old. This is a family film. Well written. Nicely cast and inspirational. I highly recommend. Love you Mr. Poitier.

What's not to love about this movie! Sidney Poitier still giving a first rate performance. This is one DVD I will return to regularly on a Sunday afternoon when I want something warm & inspiring to watch

Great movie

I've always been a fan of Sidney Poitier and he did not disappoint in this film, just excellent.A touching and inspiring story, suitable for all ages. Life lessons we can all appreciate and learn from. Messages of hope are what I think we all need more of, especially right now in this world gone mad. I felt calm and happy watching this story and that is worth a lot imo.Beautifully filmed, with an appealing nostalgic vibe throughout. Sound and picture quality both excellent. Cast was well chosen. Nice to see Canada's Wendy Crewson in the role of the mom.Buy this film if you are looking for a nice, relaxing but relevant film.Learning an making handmade bricks was quite interesting too.😊One more comment, RIP and many thanks to Sidney Poitier. One of the great film stars of this past century. Your stellar work lives on to entertain us all.Helpful votes are always appreciated!

This movie ( as most of Sidney Poitier's movies) was excellent. A very good story that we could all learn from. Very good quality too, however, I couldn't engage subtitles. Maybe my machine??

This movie has no captions for the hard of hearing. So I had to watch it by myself. I was a very nice movie, good acting from all. A very nice family movie.