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Polly Bergen, Bernie Casey, Al Freeman Jr., Isaac Hayes, Damon Hines ... see more see more... , Anna Maria Horsford , Paula Kelly , Leon , Phylicia Rashad , Salli Richardson , Richard Roundtree , Charles Earl Taylor , Karen Malina White , Taj Mahal , Iona Morris , Willie Norwood Jr.

Actor Tim Reid (WKRP in Cincinnati) made his directorial debut with this filmed adaptation of Clifton L. Taulbert's autobiography. Set in an African-American community in the segregated South, Once Up... read more read more...on a Time...When We Were Colored follows a young Taulbert through three decades, beginning with his birth in a cotton field in 1946. As he grows up, Taulbert is faced with the harsh realities of being black in the mid-20th century: first from the lessons of his great-grandfather (Al Freeman Jr.), later in his trips to the local segregated library, and finally in 1962, when a 16-year-old Taulbert watches as his community deals with a racist white business owner trying to run a local black ice man out of town. Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored was the recipient of the Audience Choice Award at the 1995 St. Louis International Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

Flixster Users

76% liked it

1,383 ratings

Critics

71% liked it

14 critics

PG, 1 hr. 52 min.

Directed by: Tim Reid

Release Date: October 29, 1995

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DVD Release Date: December 18, 2001

Stats: 55 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (55)


  • August 16, 2007
    This movie is filled with great history from the ice man to the midwife. It recalls parts of African American history in as modern format.
  • January 27, 2007
    Jesus - with those types of comments - no wonder this country is in the state of affairs that it is in. After reading the synopsis, if those sorts of things are all you have to say or think - makes it really apparent why movie making & television seem to be getting dumbed down mo... read morere & more...

    Speaking of Depressing...

Critic Reviews


Emanuel Levy
January 10, 2007
Emanuel Levy, Variety

Based on Clifton Taulbert's book, this sensitive memory film about the author's coming of age in the segregated South is an emotionally quiet saga, plaved against a tumultuous era in black communal life. Full Review

Mike Clark
January 1, 2000
Mike Clark, USA Today

Though the film exhibits a vaguely nostalgic tone, it's hardly sugar-coated, displaying an increasingly discernible edge to its portrayal of racist realities.

Philip Martin
November 25, 2007
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Everything about this film bespeaks wholesomeness, from its gentle life lessons to its calm dignity ... (t)hat said, it is not quite as good as some of the hype would have it.

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
August 26, 2002
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

Heart-warming drama in which community becomes a seedbed where young souls are forged. Full Review

Steve Rhodes
January 1, 2000
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews

The acting is good all round, but the star of the show has to be Al Freeman Jr. He shows great inner strength, bravery, and intelligence. Full Review

Linda Lee
May 21, 2003
Linda Lee, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Kevin Thomas
February 14, 2001
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

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January 1, 2000
Washington Post

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Susan Stark
January 1, 2000
Susan Stark, Detroit News

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James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Click to read the article Full Review

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