Redeeming Uncle Tom

Winner of the Gullah International Film Festival, Redeeming Uncle Tom is a ground-breaking PBS documentary that restores a hero of the abolitionist movement to his rightful place in history.

Josiah Henson, a dynamic man with unyielding principles, overcame incredible odds to escape from slavery with his wife and children. His life inspired the lead character of ‘Uncle Tom’ in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 classic novel which has been recognized as one of the sparks that ignited the Civil War. Critically acclaimed actor Danny Glover narrates the voice of Josiah Henson.

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Praise for film director Jared Brock's accompanying book on Josiah Henson

“The Road to Dawn is an honest and moving portrait of one of our nation’s greatest unsung heroes. Jared Brock's biography will bring much-deserved attention to Josiah Henson's epic life story, serving as a reminder to what can be accomplished when we fight on the right side of history.”

—The Right Honourable Paul Martin, 21st Prime Minister of Canada

“Jared Brock's biography of Josiah Henson is a laudable attempt to piece together the story of a man nearly lost to history and broken by slavery. The Road to Dawn is sure to become required reading in the archives of African American history.”

—Lonnie G. Bunch III, Founding Director, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

“Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass are well-known figures in the abolition of slavery. Josiah Henson was less known. Here was a man who had spent more than 40 years in slavery but promised to use his freedom well. He delivered on that promise. Jared A. Brock takes us through the life of a hero of the abolitionist era who overcame unspeakable pain and adversity to make an impact on his home country. A must-read.”

—Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of the Republic of Mauritius

Redeeming Uncle Tom has been screened in more than 50 cities and was seen by more than one million viewers across 1,000+ PBS broadcasts during Black History Month. By buying or renting the film, you directly support independent filmmaking.