The outcome is tragic, yet the principal characters have nothing but fine motives for what they are about. Culture and other impersonal forces have the final say, and one is left to wonder if progress, or may I say "progress," should be forced on a reluctant people.

Director Bruce Beresford has been rather unfairly criticized for lop-sided portrayals of virtuous native cultures versus corruptive western civilization, but as with his superb "Black Robe" movie "Mister Johnson" shows some of the less flattering sides of primitive societies. Indeed, "Black Robe" set off a minor spate of protest for its unblinkingly frank portrayal of Indian tribes in North America several centuries ago.

Ultimately it's probably safe to say that "Mister Johnson" gives a fairly sympathetic showing of the Africans suddenly entangled in the road project headed up by Pierce Brosnan's character, but does so without truckling. This movie also shows that Brosnan has a broader range than just playing Bond, James Bond.


A Classic Tragedy   May 4, 2002
 7 out of 8 found this review helpful

This deceptively simple, underrated drama is actually a very good classical tragedy, set in colonial Africa. The protagonist is brought down by his tragic character flaw; the rules of unity are also in evidence. Give it a chance, particularly if you are a student of classical literature.


Okay...   August 17, 2000
 3 out of 5 found this review helpful

I did find this to be slow-moving, but nonetheless rewarding. So, that's a mixed review! But it was intelligently written, beautifully shot, and well-acted. And I lived in Africa for a year, and saw how some of the Africans really lived in the present, without regard for the future. And it's Mr. Johnson's disregard for the consequences of his actions that does him in. Very true to the African character, I'm afraid (call me a colonially-minded bigot if you want, but that was my experience). So I found the movie true-to-life on that score.


Terrible DVD quality! So-So Film.   October 23, 1999
 9 out of 14 found this review helpful

This DVD has the worse quality of any DVD in my collection, even though the box reads "guaranteed superior quality". Grainy picture, washed out colors, and sound that plays more through rear speakers are some of the low points. This is the reason for the low rating of 2 stars.

As to the film, it contains beautiful African scenery which makes the poor DVD transfer that much more regretable. The acting is first rate. And the views of West African village society are insightful. However, the storyline is a rehash of the typical British colonial flick...you know, native mistreated by the overlords, gets into trouble and ends up road kill on the imperial super highway. Too bad that the director could not develop the characters better.