Ruby Bridges (1998)

I found out about this film from just researching racism films on Google and this one of them that popped up here. I even read the real Ruby Bridges Wikipedia page to get what happened in her life and I swear, it was mindblowning to think a little girl like her, was one of the first black pupils to walk to a white school in the state's at that time. I mean christ, I say it was pure shocking to her. I was horrified but not surprised that they would hold disgusting stuff like a a black doll in a coffin or having someone threatening poison at ya. Imagine having white trash saying stuff right at your face every time you go to school and the fact you are coloured. I swear that made my blood boil to 100 degrees. It was pure ignorant and disgusting back then when white people were treating black people as different. Whites and blacks are equal as each other! Unfortunately racism still continues to this day!I just think Ruby Bridges among Rosa Parks, Martin Luther king and others, are so inspirational to highlighting racism in this world and are such icons to make us hear their voices. I have to say, well done to Disney and the cast for being involved with sharing this story!

And I don't mean that in the way that everyone says during a bad movie. This was honestly the most terrible film I have had the misfortune to view. The acting was terrible, but I don't really blame the actors, because the script was on the level of a fourth grade play. There were times when I laughed out loud at the words coming out of the actors mouths. There is also an angry mob that chants one thing over and over through out the entire film, and it eventually becomes funny. Many parts just didn't make sense, and the people acted very strangely, as if they were in an illogically blocked, once again, fourth grade play. Even the scoring was bad. Everything about this movie was just horrid. I have seen Disney Channel sitcoms with twice the acting, writing, and production of "Ruby Bridges". No one in their right mind could think this movie has any value, regardless of the subject.

I teach 5th grade and show this movie to my class every year. It moves them and shows them an important period in the history of our country. They are amazed when I tell them that this happened in America, not some other country and that we still fight for these rights on a daily basis, both in America and abroad. It makes them appreciate the civil rights all Americans are supposed to have. There are some racially inappropriate words, but that adds to the realism and sparks discussion about words as weapons. This movie goes really well with a host of books and web sites that you can look up on the internet and use with many different age levels.

I happened to see this movie in my son's second grade classroom when I was volunteering as a parent helper. The film and Ruby Bridges herself are truly inspiring, more poignant and heartwrenching because I know it is a true story, and that this year-long incident actually happened within my lifetime. The script doesn't seem to take liberties with reality and sticks to the truth as I understand it.Wars against injustice are fought one battle at a time. And this movie really brings home the story in such a powerfully understated way that children, and adults alike, are able to appreciate and relate to Ruby's unrelenting bravery. As a result, we are perhaps better prepared to search for and find a bit of bravery in ourselves to rise up whenever we get the chance. The movie is well done and it was refreshing to see that it wasn't overacted or overdirected. The story alone is enough that it doesn't require the usual sprucing up by Hollywood.To another reviewer who found it "yawn" provoking I would only say, sorry there were no car crashes, bloody scenes, knife wielding maniacs, naked ladies, or otherwise thrilling happenings gratuitously added in to try to hold the interest of viewers such as himself. There was only an angry mob of white, so-called Christians threatening and poised to attack a SIX YEAR OLD LITTLE GIRL. Perhaps he doesn't understand that this is a true story. This means IT REALLY HAPPENED. To me, the bravery of one small first grader is more exciting to learn about than all of the fictional Terminators/Arnolds, Rambos, Dirty Harry's, etc., etc., combined. This type of movie and, in particular this specific movie, is the perfect venue for parents and children to watch together and then share and discuss other real-life events they have encountered dealing with man's inhumanity to man. We take it for granted that anyone can walk up to any lunch counter and order a coke, or drink from any drinking fountain, or sit in any open seat on any bus, or walk into his or her designated electorate polling place unhampered, or enjoy countless other privileges which we can take for granted now; while, just 44 short years ago, persons of certain skin colors or ethnicities could not without great personal risk. The movie itself is quite long and his teacher showed it in two 45 minute segments including several discussion pauses while viewing. I really have to thank my son's teacher for sharing this movie with her class and myself, and for providing the excellent education he is receiving. The children's book by Robert Coles (the real-life psychiatrist who is portrayed by Kevin Pollak in the film) is also highly recommended reading for children. My son was also delighted to see that some of the music in the film was composed by Patrice Rushen who sings his favorite song, "Forget Me Nots." To another reviewer I would like to ask, if there are a dozen better movies on this topic, could I see a copy of that list? They must be spectacular!