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The Secret Path

Original title: Chasing Secrets
  • TV Movie
  • 1999
  • Unrated
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Ossie Davis, Della Reese, and Yvonne Zima in The Secret Path (1999)
BiographyDrama

In this drama, a neglected young white girl in the rural South is befriended by an unlikely couple and finds the solace and nurturing she needs to transform her downtrodden life.In this drama, a neglected young white girl in the rural South is befriended by an unlikely couple and finds the solace and nurturing she needs to transform her downtrodden life.In this drama, a neglected young white girl in the rural South is befriended by an unlikely couple and finds the solace and nurturing she needs to transform her downtrodden life.

  • Director
    • Bruce Pittman
  • Writers
    • Rose Mary Evans
    • Bill C. Davis
    • Quinton Peeples
  • Stars
    • Della Reese
    • Crystal Bernard
    • Madeline Zima
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    1.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Bruce Pittman
    • Writers
      • Rose Mary Evans
      • Bill C. Davis
      • Quinton Peeples
    • Stars
      • Della Reese
      • Crystal Bernard
      • Madeline Zima
    • 17User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos3

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    Top cast27

    Edit
    Della Reese
    Della Reese
    • Honey
    Crystal Bernard
    Crystal Bernard
    • Marie Foley
    Madeline Zima
    Madeline Zima
    • Jo Ann Foley (age 14)
    Yvonne Zima
    Yvonne Zima
    • Jo Ann (age 7)
    Ron White
    Ron White
    • Hank Foley
    Yolanda King
    • Ms. Evelyn
    Ossie Davis
    Ossie Davis
    • Too Tall
    Brenda Bazinet
    Brenda Bazinet
    • Grandma Foley
    William Greenblatt
    • Bobby Foley (child)
    Lynda Mason Green
    • JoAnn age 40
    • (as Lyn Mason Green)
    David Roemmele
    • Bobby age 15
    Zachary Bennett
    Zachary Bennett
    • Young Paul
    Johnie Chase
    Johnie Chase
    • Dr. Joe
    Aimée Castle
    Aimée Castle
    • Lydia
    • (as Aimee Castle)
    Vince Corazza
    Vince Corazza
    • Karl
    Nola Augustson
    Nola Augustson
    • School Teacher
    Roger Dunn
    Roger Dunn
    • Sheriff
    Karen Glave
    Karen Glave
    • Elizabeth
    • Director
      • Bruce Pittman
    • Writers
      • Rose Mary Evans
      • Bill C. Davis
      • Quinton Peeples
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    7.61.4K
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    Featured reviews

    10spj-4

    every now & then a surprise comes out of the blue

    This was an unadvertised gem put on in Australia as a trivial midday movie.

    Viewing it reminded me of the impact that "Colour Purple" had when I watched it among a large audience many years ago. That movie profoundly affected me & others around me I observed. But this movie that I'd never heard of, clearly makes a similar impact but in its unique way on its individual subject matter.

    I cannot understand why it was not glorified for the inspiring & dramatic suspense that unfolds effortlessly as the characters each do their thing, acting & reacting like ping pong balls in a vacuum. Nothing is contrived. But the willful spirit of the young girl who initially bewilders her wise Negro friends she meets by chance, proves to be a catalyst of emotion, both for the participants on screen, & viewers who are drawn to be MORE than passive detached observers.

    "Chasing Secrets" ("The Secret Path") surely will leave a massive impact upon the soul of most anyone who dares to be open to a wonderfully uplifting experience of the best in humanity, even in such strongly adverse circumstances. One of the few times I have ever felt so moved was when I read Harper Lee's classic novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" which has echoed through my heart & soul occasionally, like a welcomed breeze, over the 20-25 years since!

    The passion of this beautiful Negro lady, as protagonist of exceptional insight in her pain & past, supported by her soul-mate & husband in their lives of accumulated hardship, activated by her young unlikely friend evolving, transform the injustice layered in the drama, but even more so, the viewer, as the comments of other viewers here at the IMDb website, likewise reflect.

    This magnificent movie is not to be missed!
    10sugarroxy_zegers

    Very Well done!!!

    I first saw this movie last year on TV and liked it instantly. Than I saw it again in High School and liked it even more. This made for TV movie starring Della Reese and Madeline Zima was done very well and it was touching for an adult or family audience. The story was about a little girl growing up with nothing in an abusive household and finding what turned out to be her best friend on the other side of the path, Honey. This is a good story of racism and heartbreak. And loyalty and caring.
    Hawks_Girl

    This could become a classic.

    If possible, this could become a classic. It's already a very good movie but in a few years, the popularity of "Chasing Secrets" or "The Secret Path" should increase. I loved it right from the start and it was a bit difficult to prevent the tears rolling down my cheeks. No, I didn't cry but some scenes can make a person feel down. That's maybe what makes it a good movie. If you can actually feel what the characters feel, you'll remember it for a long time, I'm sure of that. I'd like to end by saying you should see this movie - if you ever get the opportunity, please TAKE it - because there's no doubt it will get to you too. 8/10 is the perfect score for "The Secret Path".
    10pelyles

    Wonderful family movie. I loved it!

    This was a wonderful movie. I loved it & yes it did make me cry. The movie is set in rural Tennessee. It's about a poor, unloved & unwanted little white girl & her black neighbors, who are older & very loving & nurturing to her. The story is being told by the girl, who is now grown up, to her daughter. Her story begins with her birth on a stormy rainy night during the depression. The girls grandfather is a no good, drunk who takes the baby as soon as she is born and drives off with her & leaves he beside the road in the rain. But to his surprise someone brings the baby back & leaves her on the front porch of their house. The grandfather is very mean to the girl through out her childhood & even beats her & tries to get her involved in prostitution when she is only 14 (to support the family), but the girls refuses & fights back. It is her neighbors who take her in & lovingly care for her, but they must bring her back because she is white & they are black. The old black woman (Della Reese) lets the no good grandfather know that she is the one who brought the girl back when she was a baby & she won't stand for him beating her. I won't give it all away, but this is one you really will enjoy watching. I'd never heard of it before, but it is the best movie I've seen in a long time. I highly recommend it. A great family movie. Della Reese was superb! I give it a 10!
    10ragman-5

    About as good as a made for TV movie gets.

    I loved this film. Great story, great writing, superb acting. More than worth the time spent viewing it. Only downside is that it wasn't adapted for the big screen.

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    Related interests

    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on Rose Mary Evans' autobiography "Childhood's Thief: One Woman's Journey of Healing from Sexual Abuse."

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 4, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Chasing Secrets
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production company
      • Robert Greenwald Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h(120 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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