Literature-Based Movies to Celebrate Black History Month in Your Classroom

During Black History month we need not only to explore the tragedies of Black American struggles, but celebrate the contributions to our society. Here are a list of literature based movies to explore. I've listed the movie, the companion book, biography or historical source. If the title of the book is the same as the film, I've only noted the author's name. This article is meant to be a tribute to the artistic achievement of the actors and performers who have portrayed these roles so beautifully over the years. To an extent, this is a timeline as well.

Othello (Wm. Shakespeare) There are several movie versions, one featuring the wonderful classic actor Paul Robeson and a newer version with Lawrence Fishburne as Othello.

Roots (book by Alex Haley) This mini-series based on Haley's book, came out in 1978 and traces the 'roots' of a Alex Haley's family from his original ancestor from Africa, Kunte Kinte to the present. The talents of many wonderful Black Americans are showcased here: Levar Burton, James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson, and a host of others.

Amistad Details the heroism of a group of slaves who rebelled against the slave traders aboard Las Amistad. Very graphic and poignant. Morgan Freeman, Djimon Hounsou

Glory (based upon the diaries of Col. Robert Gould Shaw) Col. Shaw commanded the 54th Massachusetts, a regiment of black soldiers in the Civil War. A great cast including Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, Andre Braugher and Jihmi Walker.

Sounder (Newbery Medalist, William H. Armstrong) A story about a sharecropper family and the love of a dog. Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield lead the 1972 production and Carl Lumbly and Daniel Lee Robertson III in the 2003 version.

The Color Purple(Alice Walker) intensely moving story about the courage and honor of the Black American woman. Whoopie Goldberg, Danny Glover, Oprah Winfrey.

Fame This is both a movie (1980) and a TV show (1982) about a school of performing arts in New York. Great acting by Gene Anthony Wayne, Debbie Allen, Erica Gimpel and more.

To Sir with Love (E.R. Braithwaite) A black engineer takes a job teaching white high school in London's east end slums. Sydney Poitier

Guess Whose Coming to Dinner A white woman and a black man plan to be married. But firs they must tell the parents. Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Paul Winfield

The Green Mile(Stephen King) An amazing story. Michael Clarke Duncan

Tuskegee Airmen Fighter and bomber pilots in WWII from Tuskegee Institute. This is really well done. Lawrence Fishburne, Cuba Gooding, Jr. Andre Braugher, Malcom-Jamal Warner

Cool Runnings Not American history but a super movie about the Jamaican bobsled team. Very funny and endearing. Leon, Doug E. Doug, Malik Yoba

Ray (Unchain my Heart) Biography of Ray Charles, the legendary blind singer and piano player. Jamie Foxx

Bojangles (N.R. Mitgang, ) Awesome story with dancing by the incomparable Gregory Hines.

Malcolm X (biography) Denzel Washington

My Friend Martin (biography) Levar Burton excels as the freedom fighter Martin Luther King, Jr.

Selma, Lord Selma

A Raisin in the Sun (play by Lorraine Hasberry) We read this is ninth grade and I got to play mama. It's a meaningful and lovely story. Sidney Poitier, Louis Gossett, Jr.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sing (Maya Angelou) This is a very sad, but triumphant story about Maya's life. 1979 Ruby Dee, Diahann Carrol

J.T. (Jane Wagner) A story about a young boy who in a poor area of town and is galling in with a gang of street kids until he finds an injured alley cat. 1969 Kevin Hooks, Ja'net Dubois.

I hope these books and movies will be of help in your celebration of Black History Month.