Films About the South:
Films about the South often capture the unique culture, history, and atmosphere of the southern United States. They delve into themes such as family, tradition, racial tension, and the complex social dynamics of the region. These films can be both nostalgic and thought-provoking, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of the American South.
“Gone with the Wind”, 1939
Director: Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Sam Wood
Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, this classic film follows the life of Scarlett O'Hara, a headstrong Southern belle, as she navigates love, loss, and the changing social landscape of the South.
Starring: Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland, Oscar Polk, Hattie McDaniel, Everett Brown, Thomas Mitchell, Barbara O'Neil, Evelyn Keyes, Ann Rutherford, George Reeves, Fred Crane, Butterfly McQueen, Victor Jory, Howard Hickman, Alicia Rhett, Rand Brooks, Carroll Nye, Laura Hope Crews, Eddie «Rochester» Anderson, Harry Davenport, Leona Roberts, Jane Darwell, Ona Munson, Paul Hurst, Isabel Jewell, Cammie King Conlon, Eric Linden, J.M. Kerrigan, Ward Bond, Jackie Moran, Cliff Edwards, Lillian Kemble-Cooper, Yakima Canutt, Marcella Martin, Louis Jean Heydt, Mickey Kuhn, Olin Howland, Irving Bacon, Robert Elliott, William Bakewell, Mary Anderson, John Albright, Eric Alden, John Arledge, Roscoe Ates, Trevor Bardette, Dorothy Barrett, Janet Barrett;
Production year: 1939;
Genre: melodrama, history, drama, war;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 222 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “Gone with the Wind” on the website imdb.com
“To Kill a Mockingbird”, 1962
Director: Robert Mulligan
Based on Harper Lee's novel, this film explores racial injustice and moral growth in a small Southern town through the eyes of young Scout Finch and her father, lawyer Atticus Finch.
Starring: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford, Frank Overton, Brock Peters, James Anderson, John Megna, Collin Wilcox Paxton, Robert Duvall, Rosemary Murphy, Ruth White, Estelle Evans, Paul Fix, Alice Ghostley, William Windom, Crahan Denton, Richard Hale, R.L. Armstrong, Walter Bacon, Eddie Baker, Bobby Barber, John Barton, Audrey Betz, Danny Borzage, John Breen, Jess Cavin, Noble «Kid» Chissell, Jack Clinton, Steve Condit, May Couch, David Crawford, Frank Ellis, Jamie Forster, Charles E. Fredericks, Raoul Freeman, Herman Hack, Jester Hairston, Chuck Hamilton, Kim Hamilton, Kim Hector, Michael Jeffers, Dick Johnstone, Chester Jones, Colin Kenny, Ethan Laidlaw, Nancy Marshall, Clyde McLeod, Charles McQuary, Charles Morton, Paulene Myers;
Production year: 1962;
Genre: drama, crime;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “To Kill a Mockingbird” on the website imdb.com
“Steel Magnolias”, 1989
Director: Herbert Ross
Set in a small Louisiana town, this film portrays the bond between a group of Southern women as they navigate love, loss, and friendship against the backdrop of their local beauty salon.
Starring: Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts, Dolly Parton, Tom Skerritt, Sam Shepard, Dylan McDermott, Kevin J. O'Connor, Bill McCutcheon, Ann Wedgeworth, Knowl Johnson, Jonathan Ward, Bibi Besch, Janine Turner, James Wlcek, Ronald Young, Nancy Parsons, Robert Ginnaven, Tom Hodges, Rick Hurst, Clara Houser, Daniel Camp, Norman Fletcher, Lori Tate, Robert Adams, Carol Sutton, Aja Sansone, Rodney Alan Fulton, Spencer Henderson, Sandra Asbury-Johnson, Gale J. Odom, Betsy Widhalm, Oscar J. Bienvenu Jr., Teresa Beaudion, Gladys Mallard, Betty J. Dove, Travis Harrison, James Shapkoff III, Walker May, Robert R. Morgan, Roger D. McCann, Debbie McCann, Trent Dawson;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Steel Magnolias” on the website imdb.com
“The Help”, 2011
Director: Tate Taylor
Based on Kathryn Stockett's novel, this film sheds light on the lives of African American maids working in white households in Jackson, Mississippi, during the Civil Rights era, and the aspiring writer who tells their stories.
Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Ahna O'Reilly, Allison Janney, Sissy Spacek, Cicely Tyson, Mary Steenburgen, Anna Camp, Eleanor Henry, Emma Henry, Christopher Lowell, Mike Vogel, Brian Kerwin, Wes Chatham, Aunjanue Ellis, Ted Welch, Shane McRae, Roslyn Ruff, Tara Riggs, Leslie Jordan, Tiffany Brouwer, Carol Lee, Carol Sutton, Millicent Bolton, Ashley Johnson, Ritchie Montgomery, Don Brock, Florence Roach, Nelsan Ellis, David Oyelowo, La Chanze, Dana Ivey, Becky Fly, Sheerene Whitfield, Cleta Elaine Ellington, Henry Carpenter, John Taylor, Charles Cooper, Diana Cooper, Coyt Bailey, Wade Cottonfield, Kelsey Scot, Amy Beckwith, Sloane Fair, Anna Jennings, Lauren Miller, Elizabeth Smith;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 146 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “The Help” on the website imdb.com
“Mud”, 2012
Director: Jeff Nichols
This coming-of-age drama follows two boys who encounter a fugitive named Mud hiding out on a Mississippi River island, and the impact he has on their lives and the community.
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Tye Sheridan, Sam Shepard, Reese Witherspoon, Jacob Lofland, Ray McKinnon, Sarah Paulson, Michael Shannon, Joe Don Baker, Paul Sparks, Bonnie Sturdivant, Stuart Greer, John Ward Jr., Kristy Barrington, Johnny Cheek, Kenneth Hill, Michael Abbott Jr., Earnest McCoy, Allie Wade, Douglas Ligon, Matt Newcomb, Mary Alice Jones, Tate Smalley, Jimmy Dinwiddie, Ryan Jacks;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 131 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Mud” on the website imdb.com
“The Color Purple”, 1985
Director: Steven Spielberg
Adapted from Alice Walker's novel, this film tells the story of Celie, an African American woman in the early 20th century South, as she struggles through adversity and seeks her own identity and independence.
Starring: Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Adolph Caesar, Margaret Avery, Rae Dawn Chong, Oprah Winfrey, Willard E. Pugh, Akosua Busia, Desreta Jackson, Dana Ivey, Leonard Jackson, Bennet Guillory, John Patton Jr., Carl Anderson, Susan Beaubian, James Tillis, Phillip Strong, Laurence Fishburne, Peto Kinsaka, Lelo Masamba, Margaret Freeman, Howard Starr, Daphaine Oliver, Jadili Johnson, Lillian Njoki Distefano, Donna Buie, Leon Rippy, John Ratch Hart, David Thomas, Carrie Murray, Juliet Poe, Katie Simon, Ethel Taylor, Marcus Covington, Marcus Liles, April Myers, Maurice Moore, Lechanda Latharp, Drew Bundini Brown, Arnold F. Turner, Jeris Poindexter, Hawthorne James, Sonny Terry, Greg Phillinganes, Roy Gaines, Paulinho Da Costa, Nana Yaw Asiedu, Clarence Avant, Bayo Martin, Ndugu Chancler;
Production year: 1985;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 154 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “The Color Purple” on the website imdb.com
The selection of films about the south offers a rich tapestry of storytelling, capturing the essence of the region's complex history, vibrant culture, and the enduring spirit of its people. From thought-provoking dramas to heartwarming tales of resilience, these films transport audiences to the sultry landscapes and reveal the deep-seated traditions and challenges that define the southern experience. Through compelling narratives and authentic portrayals, these films not only entertain but also provoke introspection, providing a window into the soul of the south and leaving a lasting impression on viewers worldwide.
