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The First Grader

Play trailer Poster for The First Grader PG-13 2011 1h 39m Drama Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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62% Tomatometer 76 Reviews 76% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
An 84-year-old Kenyan (Oliver Litondo) fights for his right to attend school for the first time and receive the education he previously could not afford.
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The First Grader

Critics Reviews

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Anna Smith metro.co.uk 08/24/2018
3/5
The First Grader is a quietly educational experience. Go to Full Review Dwight Brown National Newspaper Publishers Association 03/21/2017
3.5/4
This appealing mixture of contention and inspiration becomes a feel-good story that will make you shed a tear, then grin ear to ear. Go to Full Review Peter Debruge Variety 02/23/2012
Director Justin Chadwick's admirable effort manages to do more than inspire, educating auds with an important chapter in African history. Go to Full Review Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com 09/07/2020
2.5/4.0
Those who have experienced Kenya or, for that matter, the African continent, will likely consider this a 'must see' cinematic experience. Go to Full Review Matthew Groizard CineVue 11/06/2018
2/5
The crucial authenticity that Chadwick so painstakingly wrought in his locations and filmmaking approach is completely undermined in the overly-sentimental -- frankly dishonest -- characterization of his protagonist. Go to Full Review Brandy McDonnell The Oklahoman 08/15/2018
3/4
With stellar performances, gorgeously authentic cinematography and a winning story, the fact-based feature "The First Grader" moves to the head of the class despite poor marks in some fundamental filmmaking areas. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Ann M 04/10/2024 A powerful story, clearly told with excellent acting. Made me see things I thought I knew about the Mau Mau uprising in a totally different light and with a sense of shame for my heritage. Highly recommended watching. See more james b 04/17/2021 This was a pretty good movie. Kind of seemed like the ending was maybe not as solid as the beginning of the movie. Seemed kind of rushed to me. It was a good movie though, and was a good watch. See more adam b 10/28/2019 A touching fact-based story that truly is inspirational and well acted See more 04/16/2016 Kinda Surprising, It Was Mostly Predictable But An Effective Bit Of Melodrama. The Violent Flashbacks Were A Bit Hard To Take At Times... I Think It Just Lacked A Good Soundtrack That Coulda Had A Few Good Mood-Pieces Worked Into Some Key Scenes. See more 10/01/2015 interesting but I was kind of hoping this was a documentary. See more 07/30/2015 Uneven and confusing - The First Grader doesn't quite get the right mix between telling Marube's struggle to get a primary education and highlighting the horrors faced by the Mau Mau fighters against the British. There is an uplifting and inspiring story that the film fails to extract. See more Read all reviews
The First Grader

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Cast & Crew

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Justin Chadwick

Director

Naomie Harris

Jane Obinchu

Oliver Litondo

Kimani N'gan'ga Maruge

Tony Kgoroge

Charles Obinchu

Sam Feuer

American Journalist

Nick Reding

Officer Johnson

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The First Grader

The First Grader (2010) The First Grader (2010) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis An 84-year-old Kenyan (Oliver Litondo) fights for his right to attend school for the first time and receive the education he previously could not afford.
Director
Justin Chadwick
Producer
Richard Harding, Sam Feuer, David M. Thompson
Screenwriter
Ann Peacock
Distributor
National Geographic
Production Co
BBC Films, Arte France Cinema, UK Film Council, Videovision Entertainment
Rating
PG-13 (Some Disturbing Violent Cont.|Brief Nudity)
Genre
Drama, Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
May 13, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 28, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA)
$330.5K
Runtime
1h 39m
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