I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

• Director: Fielder Cook
• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Drama
• Movie Type: Biopic, Childhood Drama
• Themes: Race Relations, Success is the Best Revenge, Writer's Life
• Main Cast: Diahann Carroll, Ruby Dee, Esther Rolle, Madge Sinclair
• Release Year: 1979
• Country: US
• Run Time: 100 minutes

Plot

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is based on the writings of African-American poet/playwright Maya Angelou. Though she eventually became America's poet laureate, Angelou was once just another little black girl growing up in Depression-era Arkansas. Her efforts to better herself run up against the stone wall of bigotry; in addition, the girl is traumatized into sullen silence by a brutal rape. Slowly, and with the loving support of her dedicated mother, Angelou overcomes her many deprivations, and by the time she is a high school senior, she has been elected class valedictorian. Constance Good plays young Angelou in this made-for-TV film, which also stars Esther Rolle, Roger E. Mosley, Diahann Carroll, Ruby Dee and Madge Sinclair. Filmed on location in Vicksburg, Mississippi, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was adapted for television by Ms. Angelou and Leonora Thuna; it was first telecast April 28, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Georgia Allen - Mrs. Gurney; Paul Benjamin - Freeman; Diahann Carroll - Vivian; Ruby Dee - Grandmother Baxter; Art Evans - Principal; J. Don Ferguson - Mr. Donleavy; Sonny Jim Gaines - Uncle Willie; Constance Good; Roger E. Mosley - Bailey Sr.; Esther Rolle - Momma; Madge Sinclair - Miss Flowers

Credit

Fielder Cook - Director, Peter Matz - Composer (Music Score), Jean Moore Edwards - Producer, Leonora Thuna - Teleplay By, Maya Angelou - Book Author

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