Movie spotlight
Band of Angels
Living in Kentucky prior to the Civil War, Amantha Starr is a privileged young woman. Her widowed father, a wealthy plantation owner, dotes on her and sends her to the best schools. When he dies suddenly Amantha's world is turned upside down. She learns that her father had been living on borrowed money and that her mother was actually a slave and her father's mistress.
Insights
Plot Summary
In antebellum Louisiana, a young woman learns she is the daughter of a plantation owner and has inherited his slaves. Torn between her privileged upbringing and her growing moral awakening, she grapples with the institution of slavery and her own identity. Her life becomes further complicated by romance and the looming threat of the Civil War.
Critical Reception
Band of Angels received a mixed reception upon its release. While the performances, particularly Clark Gable's, were noted, the film was criticized for its melodramatic plot and its handling of the sensitive subject matter of slavery. Audiences were divided, with some appreciating the epic scope and romantic elements, while others found it to be a dated and somewhat uncomfortable portrayal.
What Reviewers Say
Praise for the star power of Clark Gable.
Criticism for a weak and sensationalized plot.
Mixed feelings about its handling of the slavery theme.
Google audience: Audience reception is not readily available through specific metrics.
Fun Fact
Clark Gable's role as a plantation owner's son who falls for his father's illegitimate daughter was one of his final starring roles before his death in 1960.
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