The first page contains a list of cast and crew and a background and introduction on the film. After earning rave notices for powerful supporting turns as a pimp in street smart 1987 and an alcohol abuse counselor in clean and sober 1988, actor morgan freeman began his ascent to stardom. Aug 24, 2018 john carter, the pioneering africanamerican film editor who worked on the heartbreak kid, paper lion and barbershop and shaped powerful documentaries about martin luther king jr. Lean on me was released in the cinemas in 1989 and starred morgan freeman in the lead role. Avildsendirected 1989 drama lean on me that stars morgan freeman. Demille award, veteran actor and fivetime golden globe nominee morgan freeman reflects on five. Case study 3 lean on me lean on me was a powerful movie directed by john avildsen that came to the theatres in 1989. In 1988, the world was introduced to the troubled eastside high in.
His first real movie appearance was in a film with robert redford. He went on to have a successful career both on and offbroadway, showcasing his talents in. Napier enlists maverick exteacher joe clark morgan freeman to take over as principal of the declining school. Lean on me is loosely based on the story of joe louis clark, a real life inner city high school principal in paterson, new jersey, whose school is at risk of being taken over by the new jersey state. Morgan freemans inspired performance as joe clark, the new jersey principal who uses. Morgan freeman biography, movie highlights and photos. Lean on me film 1989 study guide movie packet by bradley. What movies did ashley judd and morgan freeman appear in.
Starring morgan freeman and robert guillaume, directed by john g. By the time he was famous, it seemed as though actor morgan freeman already had a long and venerable career. This was used as the title and theme song to a 1989 movie about an inner city high school starring morgan freeman. I know this because i have been told it a dozen times in the past week by people who think that explains the behavior of joe clark, the hero of lean on me. Autocratic to a fault, this reallife educator put it all on the line. His songs are often used on the big screen, including the hangover, 28 days, american beauty, jerry maguire, crooklyn, flight, beauty shop, the secret life of pets and flight. Morgan freeman has enjoyed an impressive and varied career on stage, television, and screen. For those of you who are looking for a good movie to watch with great characterization, you cant do much better than choosing one of the many morgan freeman movies. This man is a national treasure, moreno said in her introduction. Lean on me morgan freemans inspired performance as joe clark, the new jersey principal who uses controversial methods to clean up a drug and crimeridden high school, makes it easier to forgive. Lean on me is not a documentary about the real joe clark. Through out his career, morgan freeman has been in over 90 film and television roles in a span of for over 50 years, he has been nominated for 5 academy award and won one oscar for his role as trainer eddie dupris in million dollar baby, other nominations include street smart, the shawshank redemption, invictus, and driving miss.
Lean on me is based on a true story of a man, who has faced a challenge and turned a drug and crime diseased school, with students failing to. Watch the movie lean on me starring morgan freeman. A good example of this is the movie lean on me, starring morgan freeman as joe clark, the protagonist of the movie. Morgan porterfield freeman born june 1, 1937 is an american actor and film narrator. I even started singing lean on me to the kids again, if only as a salute to the power of a good intro assignment. After earning rave notices for powerful supporting turns as a pimp in 1987 and an alcohol abuse counselor in clean and sober 1988, actor morgan freeman began his ascent to stardom with this, his first lead role in a major motion picture. Lean on me starring morgan freeman custom writings service. Movies lp this category is for questions and answers related to lean on me, as asked by users of. Starring morgan freeman and robert guillaume 1989 from the movie. The movie is about a principal in 1987 that returns to eastside high school thats filled with violence, gangs, and drugs. It can be used in an english or film studies classroom. Wait until you see a very young daniel craig in this stirring story of the mistreatment of the native south africans during wartime. Morgan freeman, american actor whose emotional depth, subtle humor, and versatility made him one of the mostrespected performers of his generation. Morgan freeman is an american actor, film director, and narrator.
The movie can be found here links to an external site. It is a fiction film about a character who is so troubled, obsessed and angry that the film. Morgan freeman recalls iconic roles in lean on me and. The film stars morgan freeman as joe clark, real life high school principal in paterson, new jersey. Joe louis clark morgan freeman, is an assertive, strong willed teacher who takes pride in his work and his school. Determined to do anything he must to turn the school around, he expels suspected drug dealers, padlocks doors and demands effort and results from students, staff and parents. Morgan freeman was born june 1, 1937, in memphis, tennessee. Tweets about morgan freemans hat at the sag awards prove. With stephen dorff, armin muellerstahl, morgan freeman, nomadlozi kubheka. Lean on me is a song written and recorded by american singersongwriter bill withers. Based on a true story, it shows how principal joe clark used very brash and unorthodox teaching methods to help unify the troubled school. He then appeared on the childrens television program the electric company.
Napier came to me offering this job, i saw the lightening flash. Lean on me morgan freeman stars in a film about a group of inner city children who conquered their ultimate goals in the midst of insurmountable odds. The film follows the story of an innercity high school administrator, whose school is at risk of takeover by the state government farhi, 1999. Notable movies included driving miss daisy 1989, the shawshank redemption 1994, se7en 1995, and million dollar baby 2004, for which he won an academy award. Adaptive leadership portrayed in lean on me a distinct example of an adaptive leader is reflected in the movie lean on me 1989 directed by j. Morgan freeman portrays joe clark in this movie adaptation of a true story that occurred at eastside high school in. Morgan freeman portrays joe clark in this movie adaptation of a true story that occurred at eastside high school in new jersey in 1987. Joe clark establishes his authority right away and maintains his authority throughout the. The story of god with morgan freeman watch lean on me online watch online anytime. It is a fiction film about a character who is so troubled, obsessed and angry that. When principal joe clark takes over decaying eastside high school, hes faced with students wearing gang colors and graffiticovered walls.
Morgan freeman plays the toughlove educator who wields a baseball bat and bullhorn to keep discipline in his hallways and to motivate underachieving students. Joe is a very talented teacher, who takes a lot of pride in his work, but due to certain events budget cuts, he has to make some very key decisions upon his future at east side high, new jersey. Morgan freeman is brilliant as principal joe clark, who is in charge of keeping the students at a troubled high school in new jersey in line. Lean on me is a 1989 american biographical drama film written by michael schiffer, directed by john g. While he worked hard for years in small basement productions in new york city and on public televisions early morning kids show the electric company pbs, 197177 which, to his chagrin, was his most widelyrecognized role for many years freeman would not gain widespread. Principal joe clark morgan freeman also gave an opening address to the rowdy high school students in the gymnasium. To learn more about american universitys online master of public administration and policy, request more information or call us toll free at 8557257614. The teachers dont agree with his principal style, and the students despise him. Although he writes lyrics that are easy to understand, withers describes himself as a. Unfortunately for clark, before he can focus on improving the student bodys state exam scores, he has to somehow rid the school of its gang and narcotics problems. Africanamerican history teacher joe clark morgan freeman instructs enthusiastic teenagers at eastside high school in 1967 paterson, new jersey. The movie stars morgan freeman, the protagonist, as crazy joe clark, the principal of eastside high school in paterson, new jersey. When principal joe clark morgan freeman takes over decaying eastside high school, hes faced with students wearing gang colors and graffiticovered walls.
Morgan freeman talks about crack, from the 1989 film lean on me. Find out what the kids of the classic, black movie lean on me, are up to these. Rocky director john avildsen championed the briefly famous new jersey high school principal joe clark in this upbeat 1989 drama. Morgan freeman biography facts, childhood, family life. Lean on me was morgan freemans first major motion picture film where he stars as the lead role. In the recent home release of the film, now you see me 2 starring morgan freeman, mark ruffalo and woody harrelson, the main characters reflect on the role of the fool symbolized on a playing card which figures significantly in the plot of the movie. Good film about a high school principal in new jersey morgan freeman who will stop at nothing to make the school the best it can be. The elder freemans struggled with the racial segregation laws in the south and finally took to the road.
Freeman dominates the action, but everyone else just seems to be going through the motions. Watch lean on me online full movie from 1989 yidio. It is ranked number 208 on rolling stone list of the 500 greatest songs of all. Morgan freeman has always been underrated in the movie industry. The following eightpage study guide film packet is used to accompany the john g. Morgan freemans take on real life school principal joe clark in the film lean on me helped propel freeman to hollywood stardom in this classic scene from lean on me, freeman confronts a troublemaking student who clark learns has a crack problem.
Tweets about morgan freemans hat at the sag awards prove he. Morgan freeman is an academy award winning actor known for his work in movies like street smart, driving miss daisy and million dollar baby. Frank napier robert guillaume, watches helplessly as east side high becomes the lowestranked school in the state. Levias in the classic 80s movie, and a favorite of mine, lean on me starring morgan freeman. Driving miss daisy, american film, released in 1989, that was adapted by alfred uhry from his play of the same name and that starred morgan freeman and jessica tandy. Lean on me is based on a true story of a principal in eastside high, a multicultural school in new jersey and is directed by karate kid director john g. A team of editors takes feedback from our visitors to keep trivia as up to date and as accurate as possible. Joe clark establishes his authority right away and maintains his authority throughout. Clark is shown in the 60s as an effective and caring teacher who is. Rentals include 30 days to start watching this video and 48 hours to finish once started.
Morgan freeman, being a critically acclaimed and highly respected actor with the unique ability to portray any character in a position of authority, such as god in bruce almighty and the president of the united states in deep impact, has become one of the few african american actors to be constantly sought out for national voice. The movie won four academy awards, including that for best picture, as well as three golden globe awards, including that for best comedy or musical. Morgan was born on june 1, 1937 in memphis, tennessee, to mayme edna revere, a teacher, and morgan porterfield freeman, a barber. Introduction to mass mediafilm wikibooks, open books for. Apr 06, 2020 the song lean on me was the title theme of a 1989 movie starring morgan freeman. It is based on a true story of a new jersey high school principal, joe clark who attempts to turn around one of the worst schools in the state in just one year. With morgan freeman, beverly todd, robert guillaume, alan north. Nevertheless, avildsens enthusiastic direction gives lean on me a heartwarming, feelgood tone. An english boy, living in africa during world war ii, through his boxing prowess, becomes a symbol of hope, in a time of war. Joe clark is a real man who really did whip a new jersey high school into shape. This movie brought about the controversial character of mr. A successful organization utilizes all the types of management. Bill conti lean on me welcome to the jungle intro youtube. Avildsen providing a semibiographical account of the unconventional innercity school principal, joe clark, portrayed by morgan freeman.
We dont ask a lot from our movies but sometimes a film comes along that takes on special credence and extra meaning especially when its been marketed as based on a true story. Rent lean on me 1989 starring morgan freeman and beverly todd on dvd and bluray. Morgan freeman talks about crack lean on me youtube. Freeman won an academy award in 2005 for best supporting actor with million dollar baby 2004 and has received oscar nominations for his performances in street smart 1987, driving miss daisy 1989, the shawshank redemption 1994 and invictus 2009. As the films producers already had tom hanks, melanie griffith, bruce willis.
This film is based on a true story, but it never does come through as well as it could have. Lean on me 1989 in this factbased film, a new jersey superintendent, dr. Ernest littler october 18, 2010 lean on me is a biographicaldram film released in 1989 by michael schiffer and directed by john g. From the inspirational high school classic that started it all, lean on me, starring morgan freeman, robert guillaume, beverly todd, michael beach, and ethan phillips. But lean on me is not a documentary about the real joe clark. Lean on me is a movie that focuses on an abrasive and tough principal that has been called to whip the underprivileged inner city school of eastside high into shape to avoid being run by the state as opposed to the local school board. A lthough the material is strong at times, this dramatization of the work of principal joe clark morgan freeman in turning around an outofcontrol high school is worthwhile in the opening sequence, mr. This true story of one teachers crusade to reform a violent high school has many inspiring moments, but the lead characters tactics are often questionable. The first page contains a list of cast and crew and a background and introduction. Read the lean on me movie synopsis, view the movie trailer, get cast and crew information, see movie photos, and more on movies.
Lean on me 1989 morgan freeman as principal joe clark. Rent lean on me 1989 on dvd and bluray dvd netflix. The modern approach states that there is no one good way of management. Whether playing a small supporting role in movies like glory or a leading role in such movies as se7en, morgan freeman always gives a strong and powerful performance that makes watching any movie he is in a pure pleasure. Although he loved acting, freeman joined the air force after high school to become a fighter pilot. This is the opening scene taking place in 1967 where joe. Joe clark establishes his authority right away and. Morgan freeman, as the school principal joe clark, shows the ability of a leader to bring about change in a challenging school environment, that of east side high in new jersey. It was released in april 1972 as the first single from his second album, still bill. It is a career that began in the mid60s, when freeman appeared in an offbroadway production of the niggerlovers and with pearl bailey in an allafricanamerican broadway production of hello, dolly. Lean on me kimberly hill english 225 introduction to film mr.
Morgan freeman biography american actor and film narrator. It was his first and only number one single on both the soul singles and the billboard hot 100. Explain and describe the corporate culture of the high school before and during joe clarks administration. The dedicated but tyrannical joe clark is appointed the. The list of morgan freeman movies is a very long one, especially if you include television appearances in his long career. In lean on me, firebrand teacher joe clark morgan freeman is called in to reform eastside high in paterson, nj. Mar 21, 2019 some of you may recognize the actress playing athenas mother as ms. Lean on me is a biographicaldrama movie released at 1989 and directed by john g. His movie career really kicked off later he garnered attention for lean on me.