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The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974): Cast & Ratings

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974) movie poster

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is a 1974 drama directed by John Korty, starring Cicely Tyson, Dudley Knight and Richard Dysart. It is based on The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Ernest J. Gaines. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best Actress in a Leading Role at the BAFTA 1975. Critics gave it 77 on Metacritic.

award nominations
2
Metascore
77
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The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 50m (110 min)
Director
John Korty
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
CBS
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman About?

The premise of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman without spoilers, adapted from The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Ernest J. Gaines. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Through the eyes of 110-year-old Jane Pittman, this powerful story traces a life spanning over a century, from the era of slavery to the Civil Rights Movement. Witnessing firsthand the injustices of the 1960s and the hope for a brighter future, Jane's experiences reveal a profound journey of survival, courage, and unwavering hope in the face of unimaginable hardship and systemic oppression. Her recollections offer a poignant reflection on American history and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • water fountain
  • slavery
  • deep south
  • black american
  • african american
  • social injustice
  • racist
  • race relations
  • oral history
  • albino horse
  • freedom rider
  • spanish american war
+38 more
  • ku klux klan
  • civil rights movement
  • old woman
  • 110 year old woman
  • american civil war
  • confederate army
  • horseback riding
  • year 1862
  • year 1863
  • yankee soldier
  • younger version of character
  • kiss on the forehead
  • beating
  • ohio
  • boat
  • mississippi river
  • typewriter
  • writer
  • sugar cane
  • lynching
  • house on fire
  • woman cries
  • female protagonist
  • surrogate mother surrogate son relationship
  • year 1875
  • year 1876
  • son leaves home
  • reading a letter aloud
  • sharecropper
  • bearded man
  • n word
  • shotgun
  • selling a horse
  • selling possessions to raise money
  • husband wife relationship
  • native american
  • husband carries his wife over the threshold
  • american indian
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Cast & crew

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman Cast

Cicely Tyson leads the cast, with Dudley Knight and Richard Dysart. Directed by John Korty; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

· 6 more
From the director

More from John Korty

More films directed by John Korty: Ms. Scrooge, Redwood Curtain, Getting Out and They.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman 77 on Metacritic.

Plot

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman Plot Summary

What happens in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In February 1962, within the rustic confines of a cabin situated on the sharecroppers’ quarters of the Samson property in Louisiana, a small group of close friends gathers to serenade Miss Jane Pittman (Cicely Tyson) with the soulful notes of Happy Birthday. Today marks a significant milestone, as she joyously blows out her candles, celebrating an astonishing 110 years of life. Amidst the festivities, she turns to her dear friend, Lena (Beatrice Winde), asking, “You gonna be with me here this time next year, Lena?” to which Lena replies with heartfelt optimism, “God willing.”

Full summary

The whole story of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Awards

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman Awards & Nominations

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman earned 2 award nominations, including Best Actress in a Leading Role at the BAFTA 1975.

2 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman Videos

The clip of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.

Miss Jane Pittman
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman?

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

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  10. Question 10: not answered

In what year does Miss Jane Pittman celebrate her 110th birthday?

Details

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman Also Known As

3 alternative titles, including “A Autobiografia de Miss Jane Pittman” and “Miss Janes selvbiografi”.

Also known as
  • A Autobiografia de Miss Jane Pittman
  • Miss Janes selvbiografi
  • 珍瑰曼小姐自传

Seen The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman?

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Movies Like The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman

Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Jane and Emma, Call Jane and The Real Jane Austen.

FAQ

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman FAQ: Cast & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings, the book behind it, awards and post-credit scenes of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman?

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).

When was The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman released?

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman was released on January 31, 1974.

Who directed The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman?

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman was directed by John Korty.

More films by John Korty

Who is in the cast of The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman?

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman stars Cicely Tyson, Dudley Knight and Richard Dysart, among 10 credited actors.

How is The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman rated?

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman has 77 on Metacritic.

Is The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman based on a book?

Yes. The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is adapted from The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman by Ernest J. Gaines.

Was The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman nominated for any awards?

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman received 2 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Does The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman have a post-credit scene?

No. The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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