In February, 1962, as the civil rights movement reaches Bayonne, Louisiana, a New York journalist arrives to interview Jane Pittman, who has just turned 110. She tells him her story dating back to her earliest memories before slavery ended. In between the chapters of her life, the present-day struggles of Blacks in Bayonne, urged on by Jimmy, are dramatized.
Acting
Cicely Tyson ages from 23 to 110 without prosthetic trickery — pure artistry.
Direction
Korty's intimate close-ups make epic history feel painfully personal.
Writing
The 'drinking fountain' scene — dialogue so sharp it cuts.
Director
John Korty
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Cicely Tyson was only 49 playing 110; her age makeup took 3 hours daily, but she insisted on performing her own 'young Jane' flashbacks first.
The 1974 broadcast was so unprecedented that CBS aired it uncut despite sponsor pressure — it remains one of the most-watched TV movies in history, reaching an estimated 33 million viewers.
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