User reviews

Unless he decides there's a project out there worthy of his talents The Last Brickmaker In America is the last time Sidney Poitier was seen on the big screen or small. His role as a bricklayer running a one man shop is like his Walter Miller from Lillies Of The Field, married and raised a family and found a trade.

It's a trade that Poitier is proud of. But bricks can be better mass produced and they're used less and less in construction, something that Poitier can't understand. I confess I don't either because as he says it bricks and stone are impervious to the elements and they're the sturdiest stuff out there. Poitier is pretty sturdy stuff himself, he's carrying on despite the recent loss of his wife.

Into his life comes young Cody Newton who is proving to be something of a disciplinary problem for both his mother Wendy Crewson and father Jay O. Sanders. The kid is acting out a lot, but it's a cry for attention and help. So Poitier and Newton bond and he starts helping him make bricks to fulfill a contract to build a library.

I saw this on a religious television and unusual since there was no overt religious message in The Last Brickmaker In America. But there is a simple message about love of craft and love of family. And in mass production that's something that's hard to acquire.

If in fact this is Sidney Poitier's farewell film, it's a beautiful one to go out on. His scenes with young Mr. Newton are really special. The Last Brickmaker In America is one fine family film.

I kept thinking, why does this story look so familiar? I figured it out. It was remade about a woodcarver.

They are both corny, I enjoyed the redemptive storyline. I appreciate a movie that lets you think through the plot instead of throwing all the details in your face.

I wondered if there are really 4,000 yr old bricks from Babylon on display in some museum somewhere? Craftsmanship is an art and lost from society. What would I do if that were my son?

Definitely, a family movie. I recommend that you watch with your family. I watched it on Inspirational channel

check it out The Woodcarver http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2047890/

To the posters looking for this on video, "Feature Films for Families" has released it on DVD. To anyone who knows that company's work, it should clue you in on what to expect immediately. It's not Hollywood, but it's quite good for a watch on the couch with the kids.

Sidney Poitier does fine with the role. True 'nuff, it doesn't have, perhaps, the depth of many of his other roles, but for what it is, he does a fine job and it's very enjoyable because of him.

As for the other actors, no stellar performances, but this thing isn't *supposed* to be a blockbuster. This is a "family movie" from a company that specializes in this market, not a big Hollywood production. It's the sort of thing you watch with the entire family and then talk about afterward ... what did you learn about {something}? Does our family have any problems similar to the one in the film? Have you ever felt like running away? etc., etc.

Yes, it's predictable and *of course* it has a "sappy" ending (although, IMHO, it could be a lot worse on that). "Everyone lives happily (ever) after". So what? Are we supposed to wish for a divorce and Poitier to die in the brick kiln? Lol, I'm amazed at the cynicism around here....

Egbert O'Foo

I don't know why my original comment on this film never showed up. So here is my much abbreviated version that I can remember. Even though Sidney Poitier plays the "title" role as the Last Bricklayer, he is really incidental to the story. It is about a young boy who is caught up between his busy mother and demanding father who are separated. In trouble again at school, he is digging a ditch when Poitier comments on the clay, how it wants to be a brick. Intrigued, the boy visits Poitier who has the contract for the bricks to build the new library addition in honor of his deceased wife.

Boy actually moves in with the brickmaker, helps him. A storm washes out the first batch of drying bricks, so they get behind. Son asks mom to help, she says she doesn't have time. Son is disappointed, not so much because Poitier may not meet his contract, but because mom refused a favor her son asks. Eventually she helps, dad helps, gets fired for it, bricks are delivered on time, son, mom, and dad begin a new understanding of what is important, and perhaps a family reconciliation. Good story, well-done, and Poitier is his usual superb self.

Everything about this was movie was top-notch. The storyline; The acting; The scenery. I loved everything about it!!

Maybe its corny,maybe its too family values but maybe because the world is going to hell in a hand basket it might just be time to reflect and rediscover values that made this country great at one time and perhaps once again hopefully and that is the value of this film.The story is simples,even dull but if you don't see part of what YOUR life was,or wished it could be or even tries to be today,than,with respect,your lying to yourself. Perhaps your moving to fast and have lost sight of"the forest for the trees"THAT my friends is the simple yet so often missed or just forgotten message of a truly rare family film as relevant today as in the year it was released 2001,and running only 85 minutes.The cast is headed by legendary Sidney Poitier as a 76 year old brickmaker whose wife of 60 years has recently died,and a few other fine character actors along with a relative unknown Cody Newton,as a 13 year old troubled teen, weave a story that won't work for everyone but just might let you see that damned forest that those trees keep getting in the way of if your willing to give it a chance and open those big baby blues of yours.

I truly enjoyed this movie as it reminded me of my hometown. After reviewing this movie I knew I had to obtain a copy for my students.This movie was filmed in my hometown of Gastonia, NC. My grandmother went to the old Central High (Washington High) in the movie and my 7 grade history teacher and her husband own the yellow house that the brick maker lived in. I want very much to purchase a VHS or DVD of this movie to show to my students. I teach in an alternative school in Georgia and this movie will help me to explain how to improve your self-esteem, get along with your parents and become an active citizen. Please email me if you know where I can get a copy. Thank you ever so much!

Nice, little story. Loved to see them make bricks. Ok, the story ain't the most rivetting, but it's nicely told without outrageous effects. Or is it that I long back to a time when the world seemed a more pleasant place?

This film was supposed to air on CBS on April 15, 2001. For some reason CBS ended up changing the schedule so as far as I know this film as never been shown. I got a promo copy somehow. Sidney Poitier is a 73 year old brickmaker. He has recently lost his wife. He befriends a young troubled boy and teaches him some of life's lessons. The movie is predictable but still worth taking a look at if you are a Sidney Poitier fan.

This is one of the better movies I have seen in a long time, I have always admired Sidney Poitier as an actor with integrity and heart. This movie brought tears to my eyes and joy to my heart. This movie speaks of what made this country great and could again if people care enough to get themselves out of the way and care about others more as this movie speaks so eloquently of. This is a movie to be shared and if history does it right will become a classic for future generations to come. Cody Newton who played Danny Potter the child who was angry and unable to explain why he was angry until he met his friend, Henry Cobb who helped him find how to be a good person with dreams and an outlook toward learning how to become a good man. Mr. Cobb taught so many folks how to get out of their own way and care about someone more than themselves.

I could not find a customer service or contact us choice on your site??I am a BIG fan of Sidney Poitier and really loved this movie when I saw it on TV in 2001. A wonderful drama with great performances and serious subject matter. I logged on to try to find a company or on line store where I can get a copy of this movie? Have been looking everywhere trying to find a copy to purchase--please let me know if you know if it is on VHS or DVD and where I can get a copy if it is?? Sidney Poitieris always fantastic as he was in this film or if not available please let me know if you know if it will be shown on TV again any time soon and if so, what date, time and network channel?? Thanks so much.

Poitier managed to get involved in two predictable piles of TV-movie mush within two years (1999's The Simple Life... and this). I remember watching this over a year ago on TV. The movie continues Poitier's career doldrums. He contributes a good performance, but writing and the overall horrible movie overshadow whatever attempts he makes.

Poitier plays Henry Cobb, a man who makes bricks the old fashioned way to make a living. He has a recently lost his wife and is depressed about how his career is becoming obsolete. Then he meets a young boy who works for him over the summer to meet a deadline for bricks. And the usual "bonding... wise old guy teaches kid stuff" plot continues on and on.

The rest of the cast isn't memorable, and don't contribute anything to rise the movie above below average / marginal. The writing was hurried and the dialogue is unrealistic for the most part. Poitier is a great actor, but, his talents are wasted.

I watched it once a while back, and will never watch it again. I wish Hollywood would give Poitier a roll in a movie that gets released to theatres where he can actually shine and show his full ability.

Unless you like sappy family oriented TV-movie of the week's like this ... or, you are a fan of Sidney; avoid this like the plague.

Rating: 3/10

The Last Brickmaker in America starring Sydney Poitier is about a marriage reconciliation. We need more movies like this. Parents who split cause children to lose hope which is what happened in this movie to Danny Potter. Danny became a troublemaker, and even though his parents were involved in his life, his Dad having moved out of the family home traumatized him. It happens every day to kids whose parents "grow apart." But Mr. Cobb's gentle prodding led the parents to reconcile for the sake of their son. Imagine the happy kids all over the continent if this happened every day. Many parents go on to remarry bring stepparents into children's lives. That has not worked out well for children. Thank you, Mr. Brickmaker, for pointing out that children need the home they were born into.

I loved this movie it has good christian morals and it doesn't have to be accurate because it not quoting the bible it's just a really good movie

What a wasted opportunity. Sidney Portier as an aging, proud black man. Even though the dialogue was stilted and unconvincing - what really killed this movie was the awful casting. I mean AWFUL! The kid that Portier's character bonds with is simply unsufferably bad. It was absolutely impossible to make any kind of connection with any actor of any age that performs this poorly.

I was really hoping for a genuinely inspirational tearjerker. Instead, I kept finding myself thinking, "Slap the hell out of that brat!"

I am a huge fan of Portier and I was so saddened as this movie progressed. I was angry at the writer, director, and producers. I still am.

...a thoughtfully written, performed, and photographed Movie of the Week, which took full advantage of rustic rural and suburban locations in and near Charlotte, NC.

Compared to the usual "grind 'em out" television long-form projects, there is a lot of texture and attention to detail: cast performances, production design, cinematography, and even if the casting and direction of the background players.

• a film very enjoyable to view!

"The Last Brickmaker in America" is Sidney Poitier's final credit. It's a made for TV film...like several of his later appearanced. In all these later films, there is a likable 'slowness'...a leisurely pace and style that is very attractive.

The plot to this film is highly reminscent of "Free Willy"...and I am one of the few people who disliked this family film (I thought the kid was just too annoying and awfu). Fortunately, in "The Last Brickmaker", this isn't such an issue...and having Poitier there does a lot to improve the story.

The story begins with a bitter kid, Danny (Cody Newton), vandalizing his school. It turns out this is NOT a new behavior and after many similar instances, Danny is suspended. At the same time, Mr. Cobb (Poitier) is struggling. He has a contract to make and deliver handmade bricks for a construction project but he's in his 70s and is having trouble honoring his contract. It happens that Cody's father is in charge of the project and eventually he and Cobb work out a deal...to have Cody help make the bricks. That way, Cody learns responsibility and the importance of hard work....and Cobb is able to get those bricks made.

If you haven't seen "Free Willy", this film also has a troubled kid who begins the story by committing vandalism. And, like this punk, Cody learns the importance of caring about something other than his anger and resentment. But instead of a magical whale, there is a relationship between Cody and Mr. Cobb...which makes a lot more sense.

Overall, a very nice bookend to Poitier's long career.

My apologies to Mr. Poitier, who must have seen something worthwhile in this terrible script. In fact, he is the only (barely) redeeming quality of this pile of sugar-coated poop. If I had written anything this bad in a high-school level composition course, I would have failed. Thirteen-year-old Danny speaks as if he's been in therapy for years -- he has a better self awareness than people twice his age. Therefore, it is impossible to believe for even a moment that he isn't reading from a script. Danny's parents, of course, are portrayed as Mean and Selfish, while Mr. Cobb (Sidney Poitier) is the Kindly Local Gentleman With Self Respect and the obligatory Haunted Past. If I hadn't been trapped on an airplane, I would never have watched this through to the end (which was made clear within the first 10 minutes of the movie, anyway).

Sidney Poitier stars in a film that's in no way similar to Noah Dearborn, whereby his wizened old man uses his knowledge of construction skills against the industrialisation of the big city. Comes complete with flashback sequences.

Sidney plays Henry Cobb, a bricklayer who has eight weeks to make 22,000 bricks. Coming soon – Robert De Niro as Tony Smith, postal worker. He has a fortnight to make the perfect perforation on a stamp. Al Pacino is John Benson, stationery retailer. He has six weeks to make 36,468 staples.

This man's won two Academy Awards, you know...