The Journey of August King Movie Review 1995

Adapted by Ehle from his own 1971 novel, set in 1815, about a runaway slave (Newton) protected by a lonely farmer against the landowner and posse tracking her down. August King (Patric), a widower on his way home from town, comes upon Annalees (Newton), prize possession of powerful slaveowner Olaf Singletary (Drake). August, a highly principled man, resists helping her at first, for fear of breaking the law and losing his farm and only remaining possessions. But he rises to higher moral ground, deciding to help her find freedom, whatever the consequences. Director Duigan ("Sirens") crafts a thoughtful, but not particularly suspenseful, period piece of early American history. Patric/Newton relationship reflects the gradual feel of the film. Drake booms as slaveowner. Includes brief brutal scene of slave torture.

Distribution

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-1120, Toll-free: 800-723-4763, URL: http://www.bvhe.com

Available on VHS
Running time 91 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Period Piece: 19th Century, American South, Slavery

Screenplay

John Ehle

Cast

Jason Patric, Thandie Newton, Larry Drake, Sam Waterston

Cinematography

Slawomir Idziak

Director

John Duigan

Music

Stephen Endelman

Producer

Nick Wechsler, Keith Addis, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Richard N. Gladstein, Miramax