The Porter (2022) User Reviews

High quality tv series

[gfarrell0 · 7/10 · 27 February 2022]

The porter is a period piece about train poters. The production does a good job of setting the era. The quality is similar to that of downton abbey. There is a large cast many inter weaving stories. The casting and writing are both good.

Story is ok

[susan_warr · 6/10 · 22 February 2022]

The story is ok but the filming is too dark. It needs better lighting. I doubt I will continue watching. Dark filming seems to be the trend these days. In some programs you can't even tell what is happening.

So very dark!

[lyndavanleeuwen · 7/10 · 12 April 2022]

I recognize how hard this struggle was for fairness & equality, but I kept hoping there would be some positive results & Justice. The perpetrators seemed to go unpunished constantly. I sincerely hope the storyline demonstrates Justice is served in future episodes.

I'm not unrealistic about this topic, but show us some evil gets punished.

Excellent piece of tv production!

[mikkatolee · 9/10 · 26 February 2022]

I thouroughly enjoyed the first episode, the historical accuracy is wonderful because I feel that there's definitely a room for genre that's partially educational. I'm an immigrant to Canada and always enjoy learning what things were like a century ago without getting a history lesson if you know what I mean. (Murdoch Mysteries style!)

I agree that cinematography is a bit dark at times but I think it reflects aactual nature of the conveyed environment-you didn't exactly have lots of bright lights in illegal establishments.

This show has great cast, writing, directing and I'm excited to see the rest of the season. We need more television like this.

Amazing work

[adrianamontesano · 10/10 · 6 April 2022]

Amazing piece of Canadian history . The Porter series does an amazing job of showcasing the triumphs of the Canadian Porters and the railways of Canada . Amazing cast and story line. Thoroughly engaging .

welcome to the CBC

[johncochrane007 · 7/10 · 3 June 2022]

The story is excellent, the acting is superb, the CGI - is pathetic.

Every mini series of the CBC's I've watched is the exact same - great actors, great story, but the stage/CGI looks like a grade school production. . .

Better Representation Needed in the Cast

[mich-89819 · 1/10 · 11 May 2022]

I'm not a big fan of movies/tv series that address African-American history, but have very little or no African-American representation in the cast. I saw Alfre Woodard (thanks); maybe there are African-Americans that I missed in the cast list. I understand your admiration for the great history of the African-American people; we have fought so hard for equality. If you are going to say this is the story of Black Canadian and African- American men which led to creation of the first black union (The Brotherhood of the Sleeping Car Porters), please include African American men as part of the main cast. The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters was the first labor union led by African American men.

Super well done

[supermellowcali · 8/10 · 23 February 2022]

This is a really well done production of a good story idea with great acting, a likeable, admirable hero, and very unlikable bad guy (already in episode 1). My only hangup is that I'm really tired of feeling angry at white-black American history. I think the racism portrayed is realistic- and important to the story- but do films focused on racial injustice evoke resentment and defensiveness, further salting that social wound? We can never forget history, however painful and ugly, if we want to avoid the same mistakes. But sometimes that doesn't seem compatible with healing and moving forward. Anyway, def worth a watch based on an award-worthy first episode.

Riveting series and production

[annebouscal · 10/10 · 6 May 2022]

Binge-watch worthy.

Set mainly in Montreal, the script features racially and economically disenfranchised individuals who try to wrest control of their lives in ways that are inconsistent with the norms of their society. The story is strongly written from the historically-accurate perspective of Black porters on Canadian and American trans-continental railroad sleeper cars. The series portrays the porters' innovative efforts to survive in soul-numbing times when their best available legal employment systemically undermines their human and financial worth.

Stellar acting and direction shockingly convey the casual racism, misogyny, and class stratification prevalent in the society of the time, even among politicians and the genteel. Powerful portrayals of men and women who should be beaten by the system engage viewers into hoping for better outcomes for multiple protagonists. Realistically, not all of society's ills can be repaired by a few good souls, or even financially-improved in less licit ways. Perhaps Season 2 will lead to better lives for some characters.

Excellent!

[fshauntaye · 10/10 · 29 May 2022]

Excellent show! It deserves a season 2 and beyond. Historical depictions of real events in a drama. Great story! It is also refreshing to see up and coming actors. I also enjoyed seeing Alfre Woodard.

Savagely underappreciated

[worksmart-58506 · 10/10 · 16 June 2022]

How is this only rated 5.3? Some kind of historical inaccuracy I'm not aware of? People don't like watching a program about Canadians? Is it too clean? Too whitewashed?

I loved the acting, music and dancing. Plenty of realistic bigotry and hatred to set the scene, but coupled with a few karma killings of racists who deserved what they got...but probably wouldn't have in real life. Can't understand the low score.

Great show!

[ebonybarr · 8/10 · 6 May 2022]

I did not know this show was coming out but I'm glad iv got on my BET+ app for something and came across it. Great show! I hope there's a season 2 and I don't have to wait forever. I like the characters and the plot. The actors do a great job some are known and others I have never seen before but they all seem to have been committed to their role and made it work perfectly! I think Zeke is my favorite. I also like the history part, it sparked my interests enough to research. I always thought that Canada did got deal with racism and colorist issues like the US did and while they may not have been as bad there were some issues there. Overall excited I stumbled on this series. Bet plus has to do a better job at handling advertising. More people would subscribe if they could watch content like this.

The Porter is a gem!

[kymmilam · 9/10 · 20 July 2022]

This is must see television. The cast and story is top notch. Crossing my fingers this show is renewed for seasons to come. Shows like this are often put aside or canceled for no apparent reason. Thanks to BET for making this happen.

BLEW MY MIND! This was amazing...Where's season 2

[nycoop-00515 · 10/10 · 24 July 2022]

OMG I hesitated to watch. BUT my God I'm so glad I did. Finished all in one day and upset. Where and when will their be a season 2. This was so GREAT! Every episode... the production was amazing. They have make at least 5 seasons!

Awesome Historical Fiction

[anjanette_anthony · 10/10 · 28 September 2022]

This show is so great. I learned a lot by watching. I had heard of the Porter Union struggles as a kid but this show really shed light on the situation. The characters are well developed and a lot of subjects get examined. So heart warming and a brilliant representation of Black Love, Family and Perseverance. So many new to me actors/actresses. The costumes, dialects and the way it was shot was very indicative of the period. I would definitely suggest this movie for my kids to watch. And my fave Alfre Woodard is once again shining bright. At lest we forget the amazing soundtrack that set the series off. Great show and thanks for producing this.

Convincing Riveting Drama!

[blackwomenoffaith · 10/10 · 7 August 2022]

Coming from A & B listed actors and actresses, this film could not have been done better! I love the costumes, the depiction of the era, the plots (because there are several),and the history it holds. This film should receive several nominations! Well worth the time, and I've watched it twice! Kudos to the producer and director!

Painful Balck History

[isicknewton · 8/10 · 22 December 2022]

The storey line seems to be okay but reality was very different. Its a sorrowful history of black oppression but this is much better than being subject to slavery.

Let's hope this will be a lesson for this generation to understand appreciate, minority struggles not just black, labourers and all sort of working-class people.

I wish, the set has more diverse storyline and inclusion of whites actors to demonstrate the social integration too. Filming style is great and costumes are amazingly good, but there is obvious sign of clever background artwork, but wont spoil the quality of watching.

Thanks.

Amazing!!

[mercedesw-25420 · 10/10 · 9 May 2023]

I really wish we could get a show that is actually brought back for another season. Like The Porter, Underground, love Craft country, A league of their own 2022 series, The Underground Railroad series 2021, and Them . It seems like any Strong black representation of Us and when I say I ( US ) I mean ppl of color. It's always talking off the air and never seems to be picked back up . But let it be some ratchet Tv foolishness a baby it's running for years . They never seem to not be able to find the funding for that . We come from a long line of Strong beauty ppl . NOT just gangsters, females twerking , Sex and Drugs. The Porter Was definitely a Gem !!! I'm a 35 yr old Black female an I would love to see more of us in a better image...