Nightjohn (1996): Cast & Plot
Nightjohn is a 1996 drama directed by Charles Burnett, starring Allison Jones as Sarny, Beau Bridges and Kathleen York. It is based on Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 32m (92 min)
- Director
- Charles Burnett
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Hallmark Entertainment
- Based on
- Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Nightjohn About?
The premise of Nightjohn without spoilers, adapted from Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
John, a gifted but enslaved man, possesses a forbidden talent—he can read. Defying the plantation's rules, he secretly teaches a young slave girl, Sarny, how to read and write. Through her newfound literacy, Sarny discovers the transformative power of language and a deeper sense of freedom.
Nightjohn Themes & Keywords
· 6 tags- ante bellum south
- slave owner
- social injustice
- race relations
- fighting the system
- child abuse
Nightjohn Cast & Characters
Allison Jones leads the cast as Sarny, with Beau Bridges as Clel Waller and Kathleen York as Callie Waller. Directed by Charles Burnett; 12 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Charles Burnett
- Allison Jones as Sarny
-
Beau Bridges as Clel Waller - Kathleen York as Callie Waller
-
Carl Lumbly as Nightjohn
Also Starring in Nightjohn
· 8 more- Gabriel Casseus Outlaw
- Monica Ford Egypt
- Lorraine Toussaint Dealey
- Bill Cobbs Old man
- Tom Nowicki Dr. Chamberlain
- Shannon Eubanks Fanny Bowen
- Deborah Duke Lethe
- Gerald Brown Joseph
More from Charles Burnett
More films directed by Charles Burnett, best-rated first: Killer of Sheep, The Annihilation of Fish, The Power to Heal: Medicare and the Civil Rights Revolution and Quiet as Kept.
Nightjohn Plot Summary
What happens in Nightjohn from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In a powerful drama set on a Southern plantation, Sarny is born in a slave cabin under the stern eye of her master, Clel Waller. He mutters that a boy would be worth more, but a promise keeps Sarny from immediate sale, while her mother is sold a few years later. Sarny is cared for by a devoted slave named Delie, who keeps a quiet watch over the girl as she grows.
Full summary
The whole story of Nightjohn, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Nightjohn?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the young slave girl who learns to read?
Nightjohn Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Night John” and “Das Ende der Nacht”.
- Also known as
-
- Night John
- Das Ende der Nacht
- Lettere per la libertà
Seen Nightjohn?
Movies Like Nightjohn
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Night Comes On, Night Catches Us and The Sleeping Negro.
-
Night Comes On 2018 -
Night Catches Us 2010 -
The Sleeping Negro 2021 -
Night Cries: A Rural Tragedy 1990 -
Native Son 1951 -
Spring Night, Summer Night 1967 -
The Night Is My Kingdom 1951 -
Slaves 1969 -
Night of the Wilding 1990 -
The Night of the Brother 2005 -
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia 1981 -
Little John 2002
Nightjohn FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of Nightjohn, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Nightjohn?
Nightjohn runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).
When was Nightjohn released?
Nightjohn was released on June 1, 1996.
Who directed Nightjohn?
Nightjohn was directed by Charles Burnett.
More films by Charles Burnett Who is in the cast of Nightjohn?
Nightjohn stars Allison Jones as Sarny, Beau Bridges as Clel Waller and Kathleen York as Callie Waller, among 12 credited actors.
Is Nightjohn based on a book?
Yes. Nightjohn is adapted from Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen.
Does Nightjohn have a post-credit scene?
No. Nightjohn has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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