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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sing

Paul Benjamin (Actor), Diahann Carroll (Actor), Fielder Cook (Director) | Rated: Unrated | Format: VHS Tape
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)

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4.4 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
Most helpful customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars Too slow and, well, boring Dec 30 2002
By Andrew Parodi
Format:VHS Tape
Maya Angelou is one of my favorite authors (see my Maya Angelou "buyer's guide"), so I was really excited when I got my hands on a copy of this made-for-TV movie which is based on her autobiography of the same title. After watching it for about an hour, I had to turn it off. It is far too slow and - I hate to use the word but here I go - boring. Most of the actors don't really seem to fill their roles really well, with Esther Rolle being the exception. She really comes through in this movie and was perhaps the only thing that kept me interested (though she couldn't save the movie).

Joseph Campbell was quoted as saying that, ultimately, all stories have been told. Most stories are based on the journey of the hero. This is certainly the case with Maya Angelou's life as depicted in I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS. Campbell indicated that what makes a story worthwhile is the orinigality of the way it is told. And that is the problem with a TV movie based on Angelou's book: it doesn't have Angelou to tell it. In other words, I believe that Maya Angelou as a story teller and personality is just as interesting as the story she tells. A movie version of her life cannot be told by her but must be told by screenwriters, directors, actors, etc., and therefore suffers.

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5.0 out of 5 stars I cry deeply at her moving life April 5 2002
By Don Buck
Format:VHS Tape
I am truely a fan of the amazing Maya Angelou. As A white man in his late 20's, you may find this bewildering. She has been a light in my life from her very first novel/autobiography. We were not asked to read the book in High School (mid 80's) like many schools, but I took it upon myself to do so. It wasn't assigned to me until college. (The rest of her story, it took upon myself to explore.) I did not know that there was a film of this work until I got married in 1993, when I quoted a bit of peotry of Ms. Angelou at my reception. Someone told us about the film and eventhough there was some creative omitions, the power and strength of the young lady came through. I am greatful for Ms. Angleou and her works. And it was wonderful to see that someone was able to put to screen what was in my imagination.
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3.0 out of 5 stars Don't Read The Book Before You Watch This Movie Jan 20 2002
By LADYMARMALADE
Format:VHS Tape
I made the mistake of reading the book before watching this movie. I believe I am one of Maya Angelou's biggest fans; however, this movie failed to touch the main "senses" of her writing.
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