John Henry

by Denzel Washington

Academy Award-winner Washington tells the legend of John Henry, who single-handedly defeats the steam drill in a steel-driving competition. Blues legend B.B. King provides a rousing score that truly befits this larger-than-life hero.

Unbound

Published June 1, 1994

About the author

Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr. is an American actor and director. He has garnered much critical acclaim for his work in film since the 1990s, including his portrayals of real-life figures, such as Steve Biko, Malcolm X, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, Melvin B. Tolson, Frank Lucas, and Herman Boone.

Washington has been awarded three Golden Globe awards and two Academy Awards for his work. He is notable as the second African-American (after Sidney Poitier) to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, which he received for his role in the 2001 film Training Day.

Reviews

[James Biser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to elementary school in West Virginia near the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. In music class, we sang songs about John Henry. He was not a national hero; he was a local hero. This story is retold well by Denzel Washington. Everyone should love that steel-driving man.