A freed slave works on a railroad. JOHN HENRY AND THE RAILROAD is used with permission from Whitestone Motion Pictures. Learn more at whitestonemp.com.
Hard to really know. Hard to know whats myth and whats real. For the longest time historians didnt even think the story was real at all but then some new evidence came out. But we even struggle knowing whats true about people whove had a lot written about him. What we knoe about John isnt much outside of the tall tale. But really he symbolically represents all the free black wortkers of the time. Or deeper than that he represents all poor American workers and human ability, man triumphing over machines. I think thats what really matters
I never knew that he survived. I’m glad that he did, too. The story I was taught in school was that he died from over-working himself and I didn’t wanna see that again, because the story of John Henry is one of the best stories I’ve ever heard.
"How hard we work, when no one's looking, that's who we really are inside" That one line is what I'll take away from this ... I think it just changed my life.
I have showed this movie to my 5th graders every year for 8 yrs when we get into Tall Tales week! It has the best messages that they need to be successful to get through the rest of this year, as they transition to middle school, and in life! I have former students see me out and about and sometimes they just say, "Grit, Sweat, & Love". We are getting into tall tales next week and I can't wait to show a new group of students!
Your comment made me miss being in school. And I am 32 years old, lol. Thank you for caring as much as you do and loving your job. Your power and influence has encouraged and blossomed many amazing kids into this world, and you could never be thanked enough for that. I mean I don't even know you, but this one comment is really all the proof one would need. As well as all the other teachers that cared.
Hats off to all you teachers! I'm 37 now and this was one of my favorite books as a child in school. I'm a dad now and have introduced this tale along with Abiyoyo to my daughters.
I agree with you. I had to learn how to grow up to be a man. It just took a lot longer that I would have liked it to. I’m proud to say I’ve made some good choices with my life. But it wasn’t until I knew the choices even existed. Being raised to be an ignorant schmuck is a curse. But I got out of it!
My father, all of 5'6" is a giant of a man and the most loving, caring, hardest-working, and honest-to-God patriot whoever I've come across. I only pray I'm half the man he is.
Andrew Wilson First, I'd like to note that I whole heartedly agree. Second, I'm curious to find out what it says of me; that when I'm needing to do a bunch of work (job work, labor work, house work what have you) I do the most and at my best solo. I have a habbit of literally kicking people out of rooms or buildings so I can complete my tasks thoroughly... even if it is something like cooking, no one is allowed in my kitchen area during major events like holidays or gatherings. I know its odd, but I don't really care. Everyone jokes that I just don't play well with others, but I'm fairly social and agreeable (most of the time). For instance people could sit over at the dining table and chat with me... just don't cross the threshold... I have never really figured out why I need so much space or solitude for project completion.
*And there's ALWAYS someone who is WORTHY just waiting to pick up that hammer (NO MATTER THE SIZE) because it ain't the size of the hammer.......it's the SIZE OF THE MAN'S HEART who's using the hammer!!!!!!!!! ~ Neither Thor Odinson nor John Henry came up with THAT....... I DID. Hello, my name's Benjamin "Rockin Matt" Tielking and DON'T YOU EVER FORGET IT.*
He took his chains that made him a slave and used them to crush a mountain. That's an extreme level of when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Like Cave Johnson said, I'm going to make a lemon that burns your house down (Portal 2 reference)
"Daddy, those hammers are ludicrously oversized." I also liked the anachronistic glasses of the machine driver. Way to point out the concept of cold, uncaring progress.
@Stacey Means: "cold, uncaring progress." More like "progress" perverted into _regress,_ in the above case by the corporatist regressives perverting technology right out of the gate. Machines are (i.e., _technology_ is) for _people,_ not the other way around, see. This lesson from John Henry is timelessly relevant forevermore.
I think the spike driver of thst train was the devil himself. did you noticed he never spoke but had thise cold dark shades on. John Henry knew who he was and made a bet to beat him at his own game and had two oversized weapons( Big Boy hammers) to defeat him with.
@@natking1u1z99 I'm a Hispanic man. I've seen my share of bigotry and hate. We need to see more films on the silver screen, not just short stories which depict incredible, larger than life efforts by minorities! Just like you said ... Who's back breaking work continue to drive this country forward. (Granted this story is based on a "tall tale" ... They do say all legends are based on some sort of factual events!)
@@natking1u1z99 Irish and Chinese built most of the trans-continental railroad in America. You will be better served to escape from your race based mind.
I always adored all the tall tales, Babe the blue ox and Paul Bunyan and some fella who roped a tornado (been so long I can't remember who) but John Henry was my hero. First time I heard it was in a song when I was very little, but he died at the end and my parents had to console me! This presentation brings a wonderful depth to the story. The racing music.... inspiring! I'm so glad to know he actually didn't die and it seems he did a fantastic job raising his boy. I'm sure he's proud looking down from heaven!
@UMN Mode These stories used to be told through families and even in schools when I was quite young, but the new modern indoctrination agenda wants to snuff out these stories of independence and grit. Because that would inspire children to work and fight for a future of their own. Free from relying on anyone else, and you cant have that if you're going to make everyone a good little slave.
@@PMMillard Kids are fighting for their future, but older people won't listen or tell them to shut up. So piss off, if you thinks kids are slaves, you're the slave.
I wish it were the case, but there was much division between races when they were building the railroads. Of course not everyone was like that, but it was common to see racist mentalities among the workers themselves and their employers.
This story hit me hard and I wasn't ready for it. My dad died on the job site working his as off to the bone. Blood sweat and tears baby! Fire video I needed this
"I heard John's momma liked to see at night, so he pulled down the moon for a little bit of light. Took a lot of cooking to keep John fed, 10 dozen eggs and 8 loaves of bread."
19th century, actually. The 18th century was the 1700s, the 19th century was the 1800s, the 20th century was the 1900s, the 21st century (where we are now) is the 2000s.
Even as a kid I thought John Henry was the coolest dude out there. Big, Strong, with a will like Iron. Guy beat a machine with nothing but Grit and Sweat. Pretty sure he was one of the few people I could call my hero, as he's an inspiration to many.
"I had to work from sunrise to sunset, because I had to, for someone else. Now I'm working for something that's mine. I'm working for me." I know he's referring to forced slavery which is way different than what I'm going through. But this struct deep for me as someone whose worked their whole lives for someone else's dream, just so I could earn a paycheck to survive. To now when I'm trying to find that same energy to turn my dreams into a reality.
Probably the best iteration of John Henry's story I've ever heard, yes sir. Thank you for making and posting this tale of America's greatest folk hero.
waddy I work maintenance at the school I went to k-12 and I recently found the old film slide projector that my teacher showed us the story of John Henry Paul Bunyan and many others still in the box. I really want to see if it works after watching this more than before.
I really wish I would've had a strong father figure like ol John Henry here. Time and time again, it's been proven that a strong father figure in a boys and girls life makes a HUGE impact as they get older. Mothers love is most impactful in the beginning early younger years, but father's love is most impactful as they begin to turn into adulthood and what it is to be a productive adult.
Couldn't agree more, it's sad that some kids don't have that father figure, or they may have the wrong type of father figure with bad influences, the only thing I have to say to other kids who don't have a father figure, become your own figure, a figure better than your father and a figure you want your kids to be proud of.
My grandfather work the rails in the 50's , no doubt this story influenced him to aspire. He was known as an outstanding worker and was African American. God bless you grandpa! R.I.P.
Took a LOT of liberties with the story. This has always been my favorite folktale and John Henry has always been a hero of mine. A nice version. And Eugene Russell is excellent. I hope to see more of him.
Raymond greenridge they use call me john henry when i was choppping wood because i was prettty stout and tried real ,but i dont compare myself to john henry ,but it sure was an honor to called that man
@Raymond greenridge The names are in the credits. Hank Williams did the master work on the recording or Hank Williams Jr. It could be a song that Hank Williams Sr. recorded but never had published.
@@zachsmith4303 taking down Giants 11:01 and incredible Testimony and Incredible People who made it Possible for our USA 🇺🇸 and Hammer 🔨 Down! EVRAZ Russia 🇷🇺 EVRAZ Chicago Illinois USA 🇺🇸 and Thors Hammer 🔨 and PoliticiaL Ping Pong 🏓 and Ohhh man Kind
"There's always a bigger hammer" this is one of those legends that every boy should know growing up. gotta move mountains son; your only as strong as your will to succeed. i was privileged to have a father with that morale. My old mans 63 years old only has gr 6 takes any job he can and he keeps going forward, puts anyone younger in their place and then hands them the reigns and confidence to keep moving forward.
I like this version so much more than others I've seen. The others, he was the only one trying while everyone just watched on in awe or expectation that he was just supposed to do it all by himself...at least the others had their part to play.
agreed! I will be looking to see what else Mr. Nicholas Kirk has done. the music is the perfect polish for this tall tale of an amazing man and father.
I stand corrected. I misread the section listing the artist/singer. they're called The Brothers Bright featuring Eugene H. Russell Iv. like what I heard. wanna hear more!
As much as I like an ending where he lives, I think the ending where he dies is more powerful. Despite knowing he would probably work himself to death he kept going not just for his family, but for every man who worked on that rail road. He knew that if he lost or gave up they would all be replaced by that machine and be put out of work. He swung his hammer for all of them.
This may be one of the single greatest things on youtube. The acting, the narration, and the great history all put together was just all together fantastic. Absolutely stunning. :D
So inspiring. Every young man struggling needs to watch this and learn what it really takes to get along in this life. Never accept defeat, never give up when you can. Everyone loves a hero and listens when they command the situation. No one listens to a defeated man.
Whenever I get tired of the daily grind at the chemical plant and feel like I want to give up, I come back to this. John Henry is more than a man, he is a way of life.
I'm glad to read that they're still teaching the Tall Tales in school. I remember thoroughly enjoying this and other stories 45-50 years ago-they really grab the imagination of children and inspire everyone!!
Agreed... But, Ving Rhames, Terry Crews, Tyler Perry, Idris Elba, Winston Duke and Forrest Whitaker are still available; though none are as close to Michael Clark Duncan's stature, they are all tall.
The best version of this story I've ever heard. I like this one best, I always knew, as a kid, that John Henry was a total badass and he didn't pass away after knocking that mountain down. There is a fantastic message here in this story, one that everyone should learn. DON'T QUIT! No matter what your obstacle is, don't let it stop you. Keep on keeping on, never quit.
🎶 I broke my chains , you can't stop this train , im runnin on grit sweat & love 🎶 woooo! Had me clappin my hands & stompin my feet. I love the story of John Henry ... You guys did an excellent job.
Yes, he would have... I think, Common could have done a good performance for this version as well. This is a very good production and this version of this song is killing it! 🙌
No he doesn't. He's speaking in 3rd person. He said he was a free slave when that sort of thing called slavery was going on. And John Henry looks like a bear compared to this actor.
Love this! So uplifting all the way through. I thought the original tragic ending was going to happen, right up until it didn't, but even if it had ended the usual way, this version would still have been the most touching (what I thought we were going to see was a cut to the son saying, so I got the farm that was promised my daddy, and I worked it for him and always remember him). It's the rare story about a black man that isn't about his suffering, doesn't end tragically, and does make him the kind of hero that everyone can look to. Why are those stories so rare? We need more! In reality, hardly anyone managed to cash in on the "40 acres and a mule" promise. So glad to hear John Henry did!
@@CEBph5997 that's still African, you think people aren't like that in Africa? people in Africa love their children and have to make their own way, because it's still in a state of a colony even though officially they are all "free"
As a Black man, growing up I loved this story also. Why did we need to know you were white? I mean what's your point? Does your color make your comment more relevant than anybody else's comment? Weird bro.
Ever since I first heard his story, John Henry has been my favorite folk hero. No matter what, he never gave up, and against all odds won the ultimate test of a man's strength, guts, and courage. This is one of only 2 I've ever seen (that weren't parodies) were he survived, and I'm glad he did.
This brings back memories of my childhood. I loved listening to the stories of Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed, and most importantly John Henry. They did an amazing job with this short!
Amazing recreation of the "original" from my younger years. I especially loved how he did not die at the end!!! Left me feeling happy and glad rather than sad and triumphant! Omeleto, by God, you outdo yourself every time.
Since I was a kid this has always been my favorite story!!! Determination, hard work, and never giving up!!!! You are who you are by what you make of yourself!!!
I really appreciate this; on so many levels. I know the pain of hard labor when everything is on the line; and the pleasure of coming out on the outside. Many times the only options were finish or quit. Those times made me a better man... the kind of man my father's were that I always wanted to be.
What an amazing story. At 61, it was never told to me in that fashion. A true American hero. And a great father figure. Thank you for such a great video sir!!!! Very inspirational.
I could watch this cast tell this story in a full length feature! These guys were great and the story is even better than what i remember as a kid. This was honestly the best short film i have ever, ever seen!! Amazing job!
he used his chains to forge a hammer to pound out a life for his son, then forged the hammer into a guitar for his son to share the story! Definitely took some liberties with the original story, but.... Amazing!!
“In fact, he outlived that dirty machine” Cut to like, the mountain with the hole ol’ John dug, I knew at once that the machine had gotten buried in that hill.
the version I heard as a kid, John Henry sacrificed himself at the end he beat the machine and saved the day for everyone but his heart gave out and he died.. I like this version better haha although the sad ending stuck with me my whole life.
