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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Paramount
Salesrank: 61103
Released: August 12, 2003 |
| Our Price: $8.90 |
| Used Price: $7.83 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
The first black union in America is formed when a journalist fights for the rights of Pullman porters during the Depression.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: R
Release Date: 12-AUG-2003
Media Type: DVD
10,000 Black Men Named George Reviews:
10,000 Black Men Named George 
2009-09-29 - I remember seeing this film when I went on a bus ride to a Black Museum a few year's ago. Integration and assimilation has destroyed us to stand together to fight for what is right for all of us as a people. Let me not forget to mention that their is always a Judas amoung us who will sell out for 30 pieces of (silver).
Wished it was longer. That's how good it is!!! 
2008-08-26 - This is a good movie that tells an important story of our nation's history. I do wish it was longer. I enjoyed the acting and Robert Townsend's direction. This made me want to do some research on Randolph myself. This is a wonderful that's a must see.
10,000 Black Men Named George
2007-03-11 - A very moving, truthful account of the horrid treatment of black men, in an era of Prejudsice and discrimination. When the governemnt 'freed' blacks, it wasn't true freedom, and treatment of them was horrid, as many people did not progress in their own ways, holding on to the whole 'you are beneath me' attitude. This should be shown in schools nationwide!!
An important story
2006-10-18 - This film covers the 12-year period from 1925-37, and all of the struggles that the African-American porters who worked for the George Pullman Railroad Company went through on their way to becoming successfully unionised. It seems so unthinkable and morally reprehensible that not so long ago in history, these hard-working men were allowed to be treated this way, like being beaten up, all called "George" instead of by their real names, ordered around, given tips for doing things like shining passengers' shoes or even barking like a dog, being at the white passengers' beck and call, being accused of stealing company property when it was the white passenger who had been attempting to steal the train's linens, and fired just because they'd dared to attend meetings about unionising. And because of the situation at the time, they couldn't protest, since making only $60 a month was still better than having no job.
When the movie starts, in 1925, American society is on the up-and-up, with unions, organised labor, and Socialism not exactly being very popular or approved-of causes, with a lot of hatred, mistrust, and fear directed towards them. Initially, Asa Philip Randolph meets with a lot of resistance when trying to even start a movement for organising the porters. However, he has the advantage of not being a porter and therefore being unable to be fired from that line of work, and he has such great organising skills and such persuasive and impassioned rhetoric that eventually even people who were initially against the idea come over to his side. Along the way the porters and their allies have to put up with things like spies, attempted intimidation by the white men running the Pullman corporation, firings, accusations of Bolshevism, criminal violence, and attempted bribery by the Pullman execs who want Randolph to step down and stop what he's doing. Even when things finally seem to be going their way when FDR is sworn in as president, with more sympathy for organised labor and the working-class, there are still obstacles put in their way by the white establishment, people who just can't grasp that this union is going to happen whether they like it or not, that there's much too much support for it for their old tactics of fear, intimidation, and random illegal unjustified firings to still succeed and go unprotested. They thought it would or could never happen, but it finally did.
This movie is a powerful and moving history lesson and should be required viewing for everyone, whatever their race. Though there's still a lot of racism in America today, at least it's not as awful or as institutionalised as it was back in the Twenties and Thirties. Thanks to people like A. Philip Randolph, Milton Webster, and Ashley Totten, today African-American laborers have a right to be paid more than just $60 a month, the right to speak up when they're mistreated by racists, and most of all the right to be treated like human beings instead of sub-humans all branded with the name George.
Excellent film that should be watched!!!
2004-09-13 - It's the 1920's and finding work is hard, but if you are a black man it's even worse. So if you happen to have a job as a Pullman on the trains, you work that job with pride, you don't complain, and you keep your mouth shut. It does not matter that you have your own name, it does not matter that you are seen as less then a man, it does not matter you have dirty shoes thrown at you to shine, you smile and you take it. But what happens when you finally realize enough is enough? What can you do, who do you turn to, how much are you willing to sacrifice to get what you truly deserve? Will you continue to stand for what you believe in, no matter how much others will dissuade you, or beat you down?
Those are the questions that will be asked while watching this film. I found this to be a poignant film. I don't have Showtime, and I had never heard of this film, and found a copy in the library. I enjoyed this film so much I plan to add this to my collection. The historical content alone is what kept me riveted to the screen, and you feel the pain of the men in this film. I mean to have your own name, but to be called "George" every day, and working for a meager $60 a month? The acting in this film is stellar. The only reason I'm not giving this film a 5 is because I felt it could have been a little longer. Andre Braugher is a great actor, and one who should receive more accolades. Mario Van Peebles does his best performance in this film especially. Mario is an excellent actor who needs to make better film choices. I have yet to see Charles Dutton in a bad film role. This is a movie you must see!!!
