The Ditchdigger's Daughters

The book is better, but this movie captures the struggles of an American family (who happens to be black). The strict, yet loving father figure is riveting and the accomplishments of his daughters are amazing. I wish they developed the characters of each girl a little more. The emphasis of intergenerational conflict hampers the message of persistence and survival in a world that is dismissive toward women. One can only imagine the uphill battles that were encountered in trying to raise and educate six girls in the 50s and 60s. The movie only glances over that. However, the last scene with the daughters carrying their father's casket to his final resting place is heart- rendering. Great flick!