The Education of Sonny Carson is a forgotten 70s film that foregoes the visceral thrill present in so-called 'blaxploitation' films in favour of a more realistic approach to a similar tale of crime and redemption. The film bears some similarities to the verite approach of Sweet Sweetback's Baad Asssss Song but is infinitely superior to that movie in the storytelling department. Based on Carson's autobiography, the title character (played with absolute conviction by Rony Clanton) is a bright young man who gets sucked into gang turf warfare that ends with him doing time in the slammer. There are good supporting performances by B.T. Taylor as fellow Lord, Crazy, and Joyce Walker as Sonny's girlfriend Virginia, whose addiction to heroin ultimately turns Carson's life around. The location footage in Bedford-Stuyvesant is excellent, and the battle between the Lords and the Hawks anticipates similar scenes in The Warriors and the Wanderers (both 1979).
6 Reviews
Thought Provoking
Uriah439 February 2015
Since childhood, "Sonny Carson" (Rony Clanton) has grown up in the inner city of New York (in this particular case the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn) and this film is a portrayal of the struggles that he and his friends are forced to endure just to survive. The sad part is that not many live through it. Now, prior to watching this movie I was unaware that it was based on a true story. Yet despite the fact that there were some scenes and elements which were embellished or exaggerated out of proportion to actual historical fact, this doesn't detract from the powerful story or make this film less fascinating or thought-provoking. Put quite simply, this is a good movie made even better by the superb performance of Rony Clanton and the excellent direction of Michael Campus. Likewise, Joyce Walker (as Sonny Carson's girlfriend, "Virginia") also performed quite well too. All things said, I liked this movie and recommend it to viewers who might enjoy a motion picture of this type. Above average.
Brilliant portrayal of hard ghetto life......
raysond19 September 2004
This is one film that needs to be seen,because if you don't stand up and cheer here,you ain't got nothing to cheer about.........
"The Education Of Sonny Carson" is such a moving film that brilliantly portrays the struggles and survival of ghetto life in 1950's Brooklyn,based on the best-selling autobiography by Sonny Carson,this is one of those films that is rarely forgotten,but it is still a visually stunning piece of film-making from the golden age of 1970's Black Cinema,directed by Micheal Campus. Produced by Irwin Yablans and released thru Paramount Pictures in 1974,this film hasn't been seen in decades,until now with the magic of video and DVD,the film has been restored to its glory and its a tale worth telling about one man's quest to survive in an ghetto infested area and eventually comes out a winner. But still this is a gangster's tale here with some hard edged hitting drama to boot with a performance that is played with absolute conviction by Rony Clanton. Clanton portrays Sonny Carson,a street-smart,bright,highly intelligent young man who gets sucked into gang turf warfare that ends up getting him arrested and eventually ends up in the slammer.
There are some excellent supporting performances here including Joyce Walker who plays Sonny's girlfriend Virginia,whose addiction to heroin and other drugs turns his life around. Also look out for others including Paul Benjamin and Mary Alice,who plays Sonny's parents,and B.T. Taylor as one of the fellow gang members of "The Lords",Crazy. Filmed on location in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn,with additional footage is excellent,especially the battle scenes between the Lords and the Hawks anticipates some of the most violent footage ever depicted on film(the similar scenes would be depicted in Walter Hill's urban drama,"The Warriors"[1979]),and its still shocking to see some 30 years after this film's release. This film was released in 1974. "The Education Of Sonny Carson",also goes through an realistic approach to the similar tales of crime and redemption as we take a look at the harsh realities of life and survival in the streets of Brooklyn. We also see how a young man,who has a bright future ahead of him,get sucked into a life of crime and poverty and goes through a redemption of himself and changes his ways. If you look at it,it does bear a verite approach to several Black films of the 1970's,but it is infinitely superior. This is worth seeing at its finest and it is a classic within itself. However,the original Sonny Carson is no longer with us. He passed away as of last year. His story is an monument for all to witness because it is visually stunning because its drips the true with such strong emotion that it can convey so much towards you.
R.I.P Sonny Carson-We Miss You.
"The Education Of Sonny Carson" is such a moving film that brilliantly portrays the struggles and survival of ghetto life in 1950's Brooklyn,based on the best-selling autobiography by Sonny Carson,this is one of those films that is rarely forgotten,but it is still a visually stunning piece of film-making from the golden age of 1970's Black Cinema,directed by Micheal Campus. Produced by Irwin Yablans and released thru Paramount Pictures in 1974,this film hasn't been seen in decades,until now with the magic of video and DVD,the film has been restored to its glory and its a tale worth telling about one man's quest to survive in an ghetto infested area and eventually comes out a winner. But still this is a gangster's tale here with some hard edged hitting drama to boot with a performance that is played with absolute conviction by Rony Clanton. Clanton portrays Sonny Carson,a street-smart,bright,highly intelligent young man who gets sucked into gang turf warfare that ends up getting him arrested and eventually ends up in the slammer.
There are some excellent supporting performances here including Joyce Walker who plays Sonny's girlfriend Virginia,whose addiction to heroin and other drugs turns his life around. Also look out for others including Paul Benjamin and Mary Alice,who plays Sonny's parents,and B.T. Taylor as one of the fellow gang members of "The Lords",Crazy. Filmed on location in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn,with additional footage is excellent,especially the battle scenes between the Lords and the Hawks anticipates some of the most violent footage ever depicted on film(the similar scenes would be depicted in Walter Hill's urban drama,"The Warriors"[1979]),and its still shocking to see some 30 years after this film's release. This film was released in 1974. "The Education Of Sonny Carson",also goes through an realistic approach to the similar tales of crime and redemption as we take a look at the harsh realities of life and survival in the streets of Brooklyn. We also see how a young man,who has a bright future ahead of him,get sucked into a life of crime and poverty and goes through a redemption of himself and changes his ways. If you look at it,it does bear a verite approach to several Black films of the 1970's,but it is infinitely superior. This is worth seeing at its finest and it is a classic within itself. However,the original Sonny Carson is no longer with us. He passed away as of last year. His story is an monument for all to witness because it is visually stunning because its drips the true with such strong emotion that it can convey so much towards you.
R.I.P Sonny Carson-We Miss You.
powerful old-school 'hood flick
whoTheFuqRyou15 May 2003
My friend had told me about this movie and I didn't know what it was then it popped up on Black Starz one night so I decided to watch it trusting my friend's judgement. This movie is definitely one of the many good 'hood movies out there right now!! I even found out where rappers like The LOX, Mobb Deep, Ghostface and Common got some of those samples from. Definitely a gang land drama to remember.
10/10
10/10
Remembering Abubadika Sonny Carson
rbgrider17 December 2008
This movie represents an important historical documentary of a great revolutionary activist and freedom fighter Abubadika Sonny Carson. His-story represents an example and reminder that we must never join forces with those who believe that youth that have lost their way should be tossed away like so many pieces of garbage. In every youth there lives a Sonny Carson and it is up to each of us to help each of them find that spirit perhaps laying dormant in themselves. Once our youth find that revolutionary spirit in themselves they will be able to rise from the ashes of self-destructiveness and take their places as builders and protectors of the community. Fathers share this story and movie with your sons show them the trans-formative power of revolutionary activism. Challenge them play their role in uplifting our community.
just part of the story
tyrenallen26 May 2003
sonny died this year, and this movie is just a testament to part of his greatness. it is wonderful tale, that could is so visually stimulating because it drips truth. only a true story could convey so much emotion.
sonny we miss you.
and i hope another movie will tell the rest of your story; your life.
sonny we miss you.
and i hope another movie will tell the rest of your story; your life.
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