The ballad and folktale of John Henry, the tireless railroad worker, is the stuff of American legend. John Henry is a 2020 American thriller film starring Terry Crews and Ludacris, and directed by Will Forbes.Inspired by the folk lore of John Henry, the plot follows an ex-Los Angeles gang member who must help two immigrant children who are on the run from his former crime boss.The film had a limited release on January 24, 2020, and received negative reviews from critics. Geoffrey Jones Voice This is his only directorial effort though. He’d keep paying the men. John, though, has the strength of ten men, and revitalizes all of them. Directed by The ultimate battle of man versus machine, John Henry represented the hearts of the working men who struggled to keep their jobs on the railroad as machines began moving in to do their work. Here is the basic story and following it is a version that Disney produced from the legend. With Alfre Woodard, Geoffrey Jones, Tim Hodge, Dave Murray. Paul Bunyan is a giant lumberjack and folk hero in American and Canadian folklore. An entire crew of freed slaves has been promised land if they can finish by deadline, but they're exhausted and unable to continue. He is a steel-driving man. John Henry was later released on Blu-ray in Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection on August 18, 2015 and is the perfect story to explain hard work and pride in one’s work to children. Notice the differences and the similarities between the two versions. Here is the summary: “John Henry, a freed slave, happens across a railroad building project. Here is the basic story and following it is a version that Disney produced from the legend. Instead, he makes the driver a wager: if John beats the machine in constructing the railroad by sundown, the promised land would be given to the workers. It ended up becoming a different story of John being a protector and showing that strength." John Henry's hammer and nails are on display in this inn dedicated to American legendary characters. John was born on 24 December 1166. Born with a hammer in his hand. Losing and his people going homeless and hungry Role in the short film. Disney's retelling of the legend of John Henry, the steel-driving man. Additionally, she worked as a character design supervisor on the Disney short John Henry (2000). It would receive a DVD release in 2002 on the Disney's American Legends DVD, though in a fullscreen presentation rather than the widescreen format it was produced in. American Legends is a home video that was released February 12, 2001. An entire crew of freed slaves has been promised land if they can finish by deadline, but they're exhausted and unable to continue. Source We don’t have folk songs telling the sad story … —Coolguy. Starring The story is told from the point of view of John… Thus John died with a hammer in his hand just like he vowed, but his legacy continued to live on. The story of John Henry is a wonderful music filled biography, made in a way that kids of all ages can enjoy it! Source Thomas is one of John Henry's co-workers on the railroad line in the 2000 animated short John Henry.He was voiced by Dave Murray. John Henry John Henry … John Henry retold by S. E. Schlosser Now John Henry … Source John prevails, but he suddenly collapses from experiencing too much pressure while racing the steam drill. Polly Henry is the wife of John Henry in the 2000 animated short John Henry. From Jeremy : This is probably the highest quality, and most thoughtfully created animated work that Disney produced in the last 12 years. John, though, has the strength of ten men, and revitalizes all of them. However, it was made available on its original widescreen-produced format in 2015 on the Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection Blu-Ray and DVD. Character information John, though, has the strength of ten men, and revitalizes all of them. Saved by Beth Mooney. Language Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Released Polly Henry (wife)unnamed son Short films But if John Henry won, the boss wouldn’t want the machine. "John Henry" is a 10-minute animated short film by Disney from 15 years ago. Polly is the narrator of the legend of John Henry and after marrying John, where she and John find work at the C&O Railroad where a couple of railroad workers are tired, almost losing the promised land. He and some other freed slaves are building the railroad until a man with a machine comes along claiming the machine can drive more railroad spikes. https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/John_Henry_(character)?oldid=4451218. According to legend, he was born with a hammer in his hand. Background information English In 2004, she moved up to directing Donald’s Gift with DisneyToon Studios as part of Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas The story of John Henry is one that has been passed down from person to person for many generations. This ballad tells the story of John Henry, an American folk hero. This version of the story gives him a bit of personality and a wife (Alfre Woodard), but it’s all building up to the same moment, where he … “Aunt B.” thinks that John Henry’s wife’s “picking up the hammer and driving steel like a man is one central part of the song." Losing and his people going homeless and hungry. Her speaking voice was provided by Alfre Woodard, while Carrie Harrington provided her singing voice. ... She's recounting this whole story … John Henry has been depicted in numerous works of art and has inspired film and television plots, but the story remains largely told in song, with versions recorded by folk, blues, and country artists. Studio(s) Directed by Mark Henn. Thomas is one of the workers on the C&O Railroad who was worried when Mactavish tells the other workers that if they do not finish building the railroad on the other side of the mountain, their jobs could be lost. John Henry, a freed slave, happens across a railroad building project. John Henry is the type of American folk hero that feels like Disney would have adapted into either a 1950s television series that would have dragged on too long, or an animated film in the 90s, and would include all sorts of elements that wouldn't hold up to scrutiny. This is completely false. Geoffrey Jones The Disney story makes John Henry as a slave. John Henry was later released on Blu-ray in Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection on August 18, 2015 and is the perfect story to explain hard work and pride in one’s work to children. They end up tunneling through a mountain. John, though, has the strength of ten men, and revitalizes all of them. Source Thomas is one of John Henry's co-workers on the railroad line in the 2000 animated short John Henry.He was voiced by Dave Murray. The tale of John Henry has been used as a symbol in many cultural movements, including labor movements and the Civil Rights Movement. An entire crew of freed slaves has been promised land if they can finish by deadline, but they're exhausted and unable to continue. The steam-powered drill had to have a human operator, and the steam-powered saw in Walt Disney’s Paul Bunyan rip-off of the John Henry story was run by the salesman. Disney's retelling of the legend of John Henry, the steel-driving man. Written by When the driver burns up the contract in the machine's furnace, John stops the enraged workers from toppling the machine. The imaginative treatment by Roark Bradford in John Henry (1931) made the name known to many Americans. An entire crew of freed slaves has been promised land if they can finish by deadline, but they're exhausted and unable to continue. The workers made good progress on the project until they started working near Big Bend Mountain in West Virginia. The Disney story makes John Henry as a slave. Thomas is one of the workers on the C&O … We don’t have folk songs telling the sad story of someone with minimal skills and a word processor displacing the highly skilled typists that preceded them. Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. She was also a story artist on the DreamWorks feature film The Prince of Egypt (1998) and Disney's feature film Tarzan (1999). Disney's retelling of the legend of John Henry, the steel-driving man. John Henry, a freed slave, happens across a railroad building project. When the driver burns up the contract in the machine's furnace, John stops the enraged workers from toppling the machine. According to legend, he was born with a hammer in his hand. As Polly rushes to husband, she hands John his sledgehammer just as he lets out his last breath. Broose JohnsonTim HodgeShirley Pierce Saban Films President Bill Bromiley also spoke about the movie’s connection to the well-known fable. The story of John Henry (Geoffrey Jones) is a simple one. Host James Earl Jones introduces four tales that made America, all illustrated by Disney animation old and new: Paul Bunyan (1958), Johnny Appleseed (1948), The Brave Engineer (1950) and the recent short John Henry (2000). With Alfre Woodard, Geoffrey Jones, Tim Hodge, Dave Murray. The film features The Brave Engineer (1950), Paul Bunyan (1958), John Henry (2000), and The Legend of Johnny Appleseed which is … Buena Vista Pictures Distribution Disney's (2000) John Henry. The story of John Henry is one that has been passed down from person to person for many generations. Directed by Mark Henn. Polly is the narrator of the legend of John Henry and after marrying John, where she and John find work at the C&O Railroad where a couple of railroad workers are tired, almost losing the promised land. Roger Aaron Brown (in Tall Tale) Polly Henry is the wife of John Henry in the 2000 animated short John Henry. John Henry is one of the legends in American Legends. Role in the short film. 34. Running time Powers and abilities His hammer, winning, and his family If the machine won, the boss would fire the men and use the machine to drill through Big Bend Mountain. She's recounting this whole story to their young son, to explain why his father was so great. The story of the legendary African American folk hero, who pitted his strength against that of a machine and won the contest. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Distributor Saban Films President Bill Bromiley also spoke about the movie’s connection to the well-known fable. The company asked him to lead workers on a project to extend the railroad into the Allegheny Mountains. John Henry is a short based on the tall tale of the same name that was released in 2000. Likes Disney Wiki is a FANDOM Movies Community. The Short Films Collection also includes the 2012 groundbreaking Mickey Mouse cartoon, Get A Horse! John Henry John proposes a challenge: man against machine. His steel hammer is even made out of the chains that were used during his enslavement and given as a wedding gift by his wife, Polly Ann. The director is Mark Henn, who worked on many Disney classics and still does today. But despair sets in again when the railroad sends a steam hammer to replace the crew and burns the contract. Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection, https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/John_Henry?oldid=4471779, Carrie Harrington as Polly's singing voice. John Henry, a freed slave, happens across a railroad building project. Great strength Directed by Mark Henn, the short tried to go for the visual style of 50s and 60s Disney shorts such as fellow tall tale adaptation Paul Bunyan as well as a Mary Blair inspired patchwork quilt opening. For the first time in his life, John Henry … Feature films John Henry. It is a compilation of four previously released animated musical shorts from Walt Disney Animation Studios based on American tall tales. In the Virginia story, John Henry seems to be single. Steven Keller Disney Wiki is a FANDOM Movies Community. After a heroic effort, including a tunnel through solid rock by swinging two hammers at once, John wins, but he also collapses in his wife Polly's arms. "The tale of John Henry is classic and legendary for many," he said in a press release last August. Portrayed by Other relatives Here is the summary: “John Henry… "The tale of John Henry … It is about a young, very muscular man who helps shaping the … It ended up becoming a different story of John being a protector and showing that strength." Stephen James Taylor This is one of the things that makes his story interesting. The steam-powered drill had to have a human operator, and the steam-powered saw in Walt Disney’s Paul Bunyan rip-off of the John Henry story was run by the salesman. John Henry was not born a free man, but he … Directed by Mark Henn. John's powerful mother Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine, had a tenuous claim to Toulouse and Auvergne in southern France, and was the former wife of Louis VII of France. John Henry, a freed slave, happens across a railroad building project. But despair sets in again when the railroad sends a steam hammer to replace the crew an… as well as hailed Oscar® winners … Her speaking voice was provided by Alfre Woodard, while Carrie Harrington provided her singing voice. An animated musical based on the life of John Henry. October 30, 2000February 12, 2002 John Henry went to work as a steel-driver for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, or C-and-O. Many people say he represents the spirit of growth in America during this period. His steel hammer is even made out of the chains that were used during his enslavement and given as a wedding gift by his wife, Polly Ann. 10 minutes With Alfre Woodard, Geoffrey Jones, Tim Hodge, Dave Murray. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes an extraordinary new collection of award-winning and beloved short films including the never-before-released Frozen Fever, starring Frozen's Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven and Kristoff, and the Oscar-nominated Lorenzo. Tall Tale But despair sets in again when the railroad sends a steam hammer to replace the crew and burns the contract. An entire crew of freed slaves has been promised land if they can finish by deadline, but they're exhausted and unable to continue. Notice the differences and the similarities between the two versions. Walt Disney Animation Studios He wields two sledgehammers to do double the work. Mark Henn Et cetera. However, John Henry is based, in part, on real events. Disney's retelling of the legend of John Henry, the steel-driving man. He is also the protagonist from the short film of the same name. Paul Bunyan (cameo)John Henry The story being that John was close with Pecos Bill and left them as a gift. The Legend of John Henry • Level M 11 12 John Henry knew he had to beat the machine. Music by He and some other freed slaves are building the railroad until a man with a machine comes along claiming the machine can drive more railroad spikes. 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