Customer Rating: 
Summary: Uplifting Drama of young people growing up
Comment: Have never memorized a poem, but her brother could.
When Oliver asks for "more" our hearts are with him.
Maya Angelou says that they deserve more.
Her autobiographical description of being raped as a young girl and her
recovery is inspiring. I don't think a black class war on all white establishment efforts is right either.
I believe from my own experience that blacks do deserve more.
The black heritage is important to our culture.
It is by the vitality of the parts of our society that we
are served and serve. If you don't allow people fulfill their abilities their potential
is wasted for all.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Tells half of the story
Comment: This is OK but only tells half of the story. It basically stops right when the book gets interesting. The acting is good, but if you're looking for a video to help your understanding of the book this is not helpful in the least.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Too slow and, well, boring
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: I cry deeply at her moving life
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Don't Read The Book Before You Watch This Movie
Comment: 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.
