Native Son 1951

With JEAN WALLACE, RICHARD WRIGHT. Based on the novel by WRIGHT. Richard Wrights legendary novel is at once an American classic and an incisive examination of what it means to be black in America. The writer himself stars in this superlative adaptation of his story. The setting is Chicago, a vast modern metropolis with much to offer in the way of diversion. However, an invisible color line separates the haves and have-nots in the Windy City. Young Bigger Thomas finds himself trapped within the confines of that line. He lives with his mother and two siblings in a rat-infested ghetto hovel. Bigger has spent his entire life reading, dreaming about machines and planes. His desire is to become an explorer or flyer. Because of his race, he has learned early on that it is etter to keep your dreams locked in your heart. Anger constantly seethes within Bigger, who already has been involved in committing petty crimes. However, he is pleased when a kindly and wealthy white man hires him as a chauffeur. Bigger proudly drives the mans fancy automobile through the ghetto and takes his girl on an outing to an amusement park and the beach. On his first evening at work, he is assigned to drive his employers daughter to her school. The spiraling events and ensuing tragedy that culminates on that fateful night serve to mirror the manner in which, by Wrights way of thinking, the inequities in the American system wreck lives and breed savagery and disorder. The film is at once a stark and biting allegory and a taut and highly entertaining drama. Wright gives a likable and naturalistic performance in his only screen role.

[@waynesivels4750]

Excellent movie. 1st time seeing it.

[@melaniemills4505]

I only saw the 1986 version of this movie. Never knew this version existed. Just finished watching it. Thanks for posting. ❤

[@KhalilAmanisWorld]

I'm sure Richard Wright made major conciliatory moves in making this movie! This movie proves that, like the world in which Bigger lived, the deviations in this movie are profoundly egregious! Bessie's character was made to be a snitch! A gross deviation from the book where she was beat in the head with a brick after being raped by Bigger and then thrown down an air shaft where she froze to death.😮

[@miguelsonofzeus]

The author portraying his leading character was a great idea.

[@MelancoliaI]

WAIT WHAT????

[@miguelsonofzeus]

@MelancoliaI Yep that's Mr. Richard Wright himself as Biggers Thomas.

[@MelancoliaI]

@@miguelsonofzeus WOW. Sorry. I'm a literature geek and I didn't know. Ugh. Calm down MelancoliaI.

[@miguelsonofzeus]

@@MelancoliaI Unfortunately, the film did not receive the due recognition it deserves as the inaugural interpretation of the novel. Furthermore, Richard Wright's Native Son was not deemed suitable for the relatively tame (quite the misnomer) cinematic preferences of early to mid-20th century audiences.

[@MelancoliaI]

@@miguelsonofzeus Sir you are absolutely correct but it's a MIRACLE that this film got made when it did.

[@retrodelic]

What an amazing story and still relevant today

[@MelancoliaI]

I just found out Richard HIMSELF plays Bigger here and it's kinda...shocking. IN a good way.

[@user-cu2to1ci6b]

Richard Wright is an aspiration to many. He triggered a great sense of patriotism in me

[@linneab8317]

An American tragedy played out in the tenement slums of Chicago. I had read the book several times , but was unaware of the 1951 film adaptation. Mr. Wright had to bring life to his character. I can't imagine anyone else in that era taking that career risk.

[@MW-ih9hc]

I didn’t know he acted. I need to get this book. Thanks for uploading!

[@tah385]

I just finished the book, and I definitely recommend you grab it ASAP

[@sharonsmalls7607]

Great upload!

[@gsmmakeit3442]

Jorge, I am so proud of you! ❤

[@michelegreshan1539]

Wow. I didn’t know They made 3 movies out of Richard Wrights book. This was sad. Really was. I guess this was the original

[@bakundaivan632]

What a tragic story

[@omarsalkamusic]

Very moving movie. The courtroom scenes were quite stirring.

[@reginaz44]

❤❤very relevant

[@Vincent-qt5cl]

Sad but a good movie

[@belkyhernandez8281]

The book was assigned in my highschool English class. I wish I had known there was a movie. I love old movies.

[@ealymaysshow]

Great film.

[@1234pouvez]

I have the 1986 film with Victor Love portraying Bigger Thomas. I didn't know there was a 1951 version.

[@siusaidhchaimbeul5499]

Interested in comparing both versions with the novel.

[@Lorely69able]

Poor Bessie ! Instead going to the drugstore, she should have been running away. She paid with her life for being a fool of Love !

[@garrettdavis6500]

Richard Wright did a movie,,,,????,,,,,

[@everettwatsonrazorearcwolf6553]

Technically. He wrote the Native Son and acted in the movie adaptation as the Main Character, Bigger Thomas

[@travismitchell2888]

👍👍

[@SamuelFavour-lu3rf]

I've read the book and the movie is not really like it

[@faithnangami6533]

Really

[@SamuelFavour-lu3rf]

@@faithnangami6533 Yes... It's my favorite book and there's a lot of things Bigger didn't do in the movie and he didn't also took Bessie out in his boss car and he was a shy man in front of his boss and all whites

[@faithnangami6533]

​@@SamuelFavour-lu3rf thanks so much i wil read

[@SamuelFavour-lu3rf]

@@faithnangami6533 Are you on WhatsApp or Facebook???

[@faithnangami6533]

@@SamuelFavour-lu3rf what of colour purple and invisible man

[@jazz9236]

i was upset how he did betsy. shorty is a good girl

[@bakundaivan632]

Yep

[@KhalilAmanisWorld]

He did her worst in the book! Raped her, hit her repeatedly with a brick to the head, threw her 4-stories down an air shaft where she froze to death! This movie soft-pedals its egregiousness! Richard Wright, no doubt, bowing to European Hollywood pressure allowed his genius work to be bastardized!😮

[@EdieGregory]

2:27

[@BadAxBarbie]

Bigger looks way too old to portray a 25-year-old 🤔

[@petej7002]

Chicago dudes always on some BS

[@tah385]

😂😂😂

[@CinqueMalcolm]

Facts! I met a dude from Chi a few years ago that was damn near bragging about how murderous Chicago was, as if it was a badge of honor. Old *ss, young thinkin' mfer.

[@rikeetaedwards7906]

Lol

[@deloreswillis9224]

Ikr everyday