Scott Joplin

This is the story of Ragtime music, where it was born and of one of the most prolific composers of Ragtime music of the time. Best known for "The Entertainer" and "Maple Leaf Rag" this is the story of Scott Joplin, his determination in the face of racism and his ultimate triumph as a composer and musical legend. Directed by Jeremy Kagan and starring Billy Dee Williams in the title role of Joplin. Also in the film is Art Carney, Clifton Davis and Eubie Blake, an American pianist, lyricist and composer of ragtime, jazz and popular music. This movie is worth seeing if only for one thing - the wonderful, brooding music of a man for whom recognition was long overdue.

This film was intended originally for television instead it was fitfully released theatrically. I recall it being screened in 1977 in a few local movie houses usually those that cater to a predominantly African-American audience and sometimes double-billed with another feature. As a cinephile I hate to say it but probably televsion would have been a better venue to tell this incredicle musician's story. At 96 minutes the film compresses too much. If it were a two part television event possibly Scott Joplin's story could be properly told. The weakness of the film is it rushes through too much of Joplin's story notably his musical accomplishments. It would have been nice to hear one of his pieces in it's entirety instead of just segments. It's strength is in the dramatization of his tragic personal life notably his dual battle with racism and syphillus. Billy Dee Williams does reasonably well in the title role but is more assured portraying the older Joplin than the younger. Terrific supporting work is turned in here by Clifton Davis as Louis Chauvin, Joplin's friend when they were employed as "professors" at St. Louis bordellos. Art Carney is incapable of shoddy work and his turn as John Stark, Joplin's publisher, is no exception. I recommend this film even though it suggests that it had the potential to be so much more.

I rented this on Amazon Instant Video because my 8-year-old daughter, who is obsessed with Scott Joplin, wanted to see it. At the end she claimed to love it but the periodic snoring after the 45 minutes would seem to indicate her attention did wander a bit to whatever was playing on the inside of her eyelids.The real highlight of this film comes about 10 minutes in with a fabulous piano duel scene (1899, Maple Leaf Club) between Joplin and a series of other black piano players. After that though it's all downhill. Billy Dee Williams, in the part of Scott Joplin, perpetrates some gratuitously bad acting in league with the lovable (but obviously out of his depth) Art Carney. From a narrative standpoint the whole thing seemed rushed and disjointed almost as if it was an 8-hour miniseries cut down to a little over 90-minutes. They crammed the last 18 years of Joplin's life into this movie and personally I'd like to see a fuller treatment of the topic.Lastly, reading the Wikipedia entry for Joplin, the story seems to take an extravagant amount of liberty with the actual facts of the matter. While the highest points are accurate enough the screenwriters seem to have made some real leaps of faith.To so summarize, Joplin fans will come for the title, stay for the music and, like my youngest, probably get a bit sleepy around the 45th minute. Not the worst made-for-TV movie I've ever seen but certainly not up to any real cinematic standard. It simply has the advantage of being the only biographical Joplin movie around.

This is truly a brilliant film about an individual many don’t know, but he is the creator of one of the most recognizable melodies on earth. It’s a biographical piece that plays out like a Shakespearean tragedy.

This was a very good movie I saw it as a child & I enjoyed it then that was money well spent.

I was very impressed.

I was thrilled to acquire this wonderful film about a great black musician. I have played his music on the piano for years, so when I first saw this movie on TV many years ago, I was ecstatic. When I finally purchased the VCR, I took it to my workplace (in this case, a men's prison) and had it shown to the inmates during "Black History week" over the prison's video system. I was proud to show a quality movie to an inmate population that was beter than 50% black. They really enjoyed and appreciated seeing the story of the King of Ragtime and many had never heard of him, so this movie certainly enriched their knowledge of this famous historical personality.

I am glad I got to see this movie again, what a nicely done DVD of a musical genius that is under promoted! Glad to have it in my collection.

Love it! Joplin is a classic for me so knowing his life story was greatly appreciated. Only a piano player who plays Joplin’s ragtime would be able to appreciate this Entertainer.

The sound quality could be better, some wow on the music.

Not the best actors in the world but the music was superb. Pity there hadn't been more of Scott Joplins wonderful tag music to enjoy.

great movie and great music but so sad he had to die so young

Very good