[KennyKen1086]

The sitting is Civil War era, down South. The movie is black and white, and if it were written as a book(it might well have been), it would be considered of the "literature" genre. I remember an opening scene where a Slave Girl, who has just given birth, held her Baby, and seems to contemplate it's future; what she, a Slave herself, might be able to realistically provide for him, as opposed to his needs and her Love for him. It just so happened, that She gave birth at roughly the same time as the House Master's Wife. Her Baby was of fair enough skin to pass for white (quite possibly he was the Bastard Child of the Slave Master's), and as she contemplated she stared at her Mistress' Infant in it's Crib. Of course we find that she switched infants; her's to be raised as White --the Master's air to the Plantation. While the Master's own son was unwittingly raised as a Slave. I believe that one of the many morals of this story is the backbone believe of sociology. That ALL of our behavior is "Learned". Of course her actual Son, believing himself to be a White, Wealthy air, to the vast fortunes of his Father's Plantation, acted accordingly-he was spoiled and abusive to those he thought to be less than him. Including his Mother. The Plantation Owner's actual Son, believing himself to be a Slave, grew up with that inferior mentality. He is illiterate, lowers his head in shame, unintelligently chuckles and mumbles his words, and nervously shuffles his feet. Her actual Son became an Alcoholic and Gambler(this is where my memory gets somewhat fuzzy), and I believe he eventually becomes a fugitive after murdering a Man in a drunken dispute. Somehow his Gambling debts become so great that his(Black) Mother, who had never revealed his true heritage to him, agrees to sell herself back into slavery for him(she had somehow acquired her freedom), if he merely agrees to buy her back when he inherits his fortune, and "Promises" to "Not sell her DOWN the River"(further south). This is where Slave were severely mistreated and suffered inhumane conditions. As opposed to the relative good living conditions enjoyed by those who lived more Northernly. After groveling and promising, of course he betrayed her. The next scene is of her on a slave ship in chains. She is eventually able to determine they are traveling south, not north(here is where the term "selling down the River" originates). The ending scene is of him having inherited his fortune. The authorities come and take him from the plantation in chains when his Mother, realizing his true nature, is forced to tell that he is actually black. He is forced into Slavery and sent "down the River". The actual Plantation owner's Son is told that he is no longer a slave and that everything now belongs to him. I'm sure that I have gotten a few of these minor details incorrect. Even now they conflict in my mind--but can someone PLEASE HELP ME? What is the name of this movie??

[Quinn F]

Sounds like Pudd'nhead Wilson, there were two versions made:
Pudd'nhead Wilson (1916)
Pudd,nhead Wilson (TV 1984)

[flaglady4vets]

Switch at Birth... Babe Switch at Birth