Watch John Henry

John Henry is a 2000 movie directed by Mark Brown and written by Brown and Melissa Jo Peltier. The film is a modern adaptation of the traditional American folktale of the same name. The story revolves around a man named John Henry, who is an African American folk hero known for his strength and resilience. The movie stars a talented and diverse cast including Alfre Woodard as John Henry's mother, Geoffrey Jones as John Henry, and Tim Hodge as Johnny Lee.

The movie begins with John Henry as a young man working in a steel mill in the South. However, when he accidentally causes a fellow worker to lose his job, John Henry decides to leave his hometown and try to find a new life in the city. Along the way, he meets a beautiful singer named Alice (played by Lisa Arrindell Anderson) and helps her escape from a group of thugs who are trying to hurt her. Impressed by his bravery, Alice invites John Henry to come to the club where she is performing and see her sing.

At the club, John Henry becomes fascinated by the music and the performers, but he is quickly reminded of the struggles that African Americans face in the city. Despite his strength and determination, John Henry cannot find work and is forced to live on the streets. However, his luck begins to change when he meets a man named Johnny Lee, who runs an underground fighting ring. Johnny sees John Henry's potential and hires him as a fighter, hoping to make some money off of his strength and reputation.

John Henry is reluctant at first, but he soon realizes that he can use his fighting skills to help his fellow African Americans who are being mistreated by the white power structure in the city. With the help of his new friend, Alice, and his mother, who appears to him in visions, John Henry becomes a symbol of hope and resistance for the downtrodden African American community.

The movie is full of action and excitement as John Henry fights against corrupt cops, racist businessmen, and other threats to his community. At the same time, the film also explores themes of family, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together. Alfre Woodard gives a powerful performance as John Henry's mother, who serves as a guiding force throughout the movie, even after her death. Geoffrey Jones is also excellent in the title role, bringing both physicality and vulnerability to the character of John Henry.

Overall, John Henry is a compelling and entertaining movie that honors the American tradition of folklore while also updating it for a modern audience. The film's diverse cast and themes of social justice make it a timely and important work, while its high-energy action and music keep the audience engaged from start to finish. Whether you are a fan of folktales, action movies, or socially conscious cinema, John Henry is a movie that is well worth watching.

John Henry is a 2000 animated movie with a runtime of 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.