A Letter to Jonathan

A Letter to Jonathan

1980 · 12 min · Drama

A film with very little dialogue. Set in the Catskills of 1896 – 1916, a farmer buries his deceased wife atop a nearby mountain, then makes the difficult decision to give up his newborn son, Jonathan. Later in 1916, Jonathan returns to confront his past. The only real dialogue is a voice over of the father reading a letter he wrote to his son explaining himself.

Directed by John Cline · Written by John Cline

Your Rating

Cast

Make it a double feature

2h 46m together

A Letter to Jonathan

The Color Purple

A close match in mood and era.

More Like This

Hotel RwandaHotel Rwanda · 2004
Hotel Rwanda
★ 7.72004
MovieDramaHistory
Inspired by true events, this film takes place in Rwanda in the 1990s when more than a million Tutsis were killed in a genocide that went mostly unnoticed by the rest of the world. Hotel owner Paul Rusesabagina houses over a thousand refuges in his hotel in attempt to save their lives.
All Quiet on the Western FrontAll Quiet on the Western Front · 1930
All Quiet on the Western Front
★ 7.81930
MovieDramaWar
When a group of idealistic young men join the German Army during the Great War, they are assigned to the Western Front, where their patriotism is destroyed by the harsh realities of combat.
VolverVolver · 2006
Volver
★ 7.52006
MovieComedyDrama
Three generations of women deal with family secrets while surviving the east wind, fire, insanity, superstition, lies and even death.
East of EdenEast of Eden · 1955
East of Eden
★ 7.51955
MovieDrama
In the Salinas Valley in and around World War I, Cal Trask feels he must compete against overwhelming odds with his brother for the love of their father. Cal is frustrated at every turn, from his reaction to the war, how to get ahead in business and in life, and how to relate to his estranged mother.
The Umbrellas of CherbourgThe Umbrellas of Cherbourg · 1964
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
★ 7.41964
MovieDramaRomance
This simple romantic tragedy begins in 1957. Guy Foucher, a 20-year-old French auto mechanic, has fallen in love with 17-year-old Geneviève Emery, an employee in her widowed mother's chic but financially embattled umbrella shop. On the evening before Guy is to leave for a two-year tour of combat in Algeria, he and Geneviève make love. She becomes pregnant and must choose between waiting for Guy's return or accepting an offer of marriage from a wealthy diamond merchant.
Central StationCentral Station · 1998
Central Station
★ 8.11998
MovieDrama
An emotional journey of a former school teacher, who writes letters for illiterate people, and a young boy, whose mother has just died, as they search for the father he never knew.
JFKJFK · 1991
JFK
★ 7.61991
MovieDramaThriller
Follows the investigation into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy led by New Orleans district attorney Jim Garrison.
Moulin Rouge!Moulin Rouge! · 2001
Moulin Rouge!
★ 7.52001
MovieDramaRomance
A celebration of love and creative inspiration takes place in the infamous, gaudy and glamorous Parisian nightclub, at the cusp of the 20th century. A young poet, who is plunged into the heady world of Moulin Rouge, begins a passionate affair with the club's most notorious and beautiful star.
Paths of GloryPaths of Glory · 1957
Paths of Glory
★ 8.31957
MovieWarDrama
A commanding officer defends three scapegoats on trial for a failed offensive that occurred within the French Army in 1916.
The Last EmperorThe Last Emperor · 1987
The Last Emperor
★ 7.61987
MovieDramaHistory
A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.
The Color PurpleThe Color Purple · 1985
The Color Purple
★ 7.71985
MovieDrama
An epic tale spanning forty years in the life of Celie, an African-American woman living in the South who survives incredible abuse and bigotry. After Celie's abusive father marries her off to the equally debasing 'Mister' Albert Johnson, things go from bad to worse, leaving Celie to find companionship anywhere she can. She perseveres, holding on to her dream of one day being reunited with her sister in Africa.
I've Loved You So LongI've Loved You So Long · 2008
I've Loved You So Long
★ 7.32008
MovieDrama
A woman struggles to interact with her family and find her place in society after spending fifteen years in prison.
The Red BaronThe Red Baron · 2008
The Red Baron
★ 6.72008
MovieActionAdventure
Richthofen goes off to war like thousands of other men. As fighter pilots, they become cult heroes for the soldiers on the battlefields. Marked by sportsmanlike conduct, technical exactitude and knightly propriety, they have their own code of honour. Before long he begins to understand that his hero status is deceptive. His love for Kate, a nurse, opens his eyes to the brutality of war.
In BrugesIn Bruges · 2008
In Bruges
★ 7.52008
MovieComedyDrama
Ray and Ken, two hit men, are in Bruges, Belgium, waiting for their next mission. While they are there they have time to think and discuss their previous assignment. When the mission is revealed to Ken, it is not what he expected.
My Mom's Letter from HeavenMy Mom's Letter from Heaven · 2019
My Mom's Letter from Heaven
★ 7.62019
MovieTV MovieDrama
A single father has a fractious relationship with his rebellious teenage daughter. When a lost letter written to the daughter from her dying mother is miraculously found, everything starts to turn around.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter