Barn Burning (1980)

Barn Burning Poster

Abe Snopes (Tommy Lee Jones) is a Southern tenant farmer whose unrelenting and violent nature proves to be his undoing in William Faulkner's Barn Burning. Snopes sets his employer's barn on fire when he thinks he's been treated unfairly. His son, Sarty, is horrified. Snope escapes justice for lack of proof, but he and his family are told to move on. No sooner do they move than Snopes is offended by his new rich employer. Torn between trying to win his father's acceptance and his aversion to what his father will do, Sarty must make a decision and act quickly. Adpated by Academy Award winning screenwriter Horton Foote, Faulkner's complex world of class divisions and hostile family relationships comes to life through a boy's attempt to liberate himself from hatred and poverty.

Overview
"Barn Burning" is a commendable movie based on a short story from the anthology 'Selected Short Stories' by William Faulkner. Launched in 1980, the setting of the story is rural north Mississippi, simply after the Civil War. Directed by Peter Werner, this movie focuses around the experiences of a ten-year-old boy, Sarty Snopes, his abusive and unpredictable dad Abner Snopes, and the stress their household encounters since of Abner's unlawful practices.

Plot Summary
The story is set in motion when Abner Snopes, a poor tenant farmer, enters into trouble for burning the barn of his property manager, Major de Spain. He is tried in court, but his young boy, Sarty, is conflicive on whether to tell the fact about the burning or not. Even though he wants to live honestly, he feels caught in between his loyalty to his dad and his conscious understanding of right and incorrect. Upon leaving justice, Abner moves his household elsewhere to begin afresh.

At the new place, Sarty makes a good friend in a young boy named Holston, and things seem typical for a while. Yet, the harmony is short-term as Abner disputes with their brand-new property owner about the rug Abner's pig destroyed. This dispute finds its resolution in the local court, where Abner is asked to pay twenty corn bushels as payment.

Styles and Symbolism
"Barn Burning" is a tale of household loyalty, morality, class disputes, and a growing disillusionment with societal standards. A significant sign in the motion picture is Abner's recurring act of burning barns, signifying his disobedience against social and financial variation while leaving a path of damage behind. Meanwhile, Sarty serves as a personification of innocence, justice, and the struggle against inherited vices.

Efficiency and Reception
The general reaction for "Barn Burning" was normally positive. The strong character advancement, expressive depiction of southern rural life, and the exploration of heavy themes through dazzling performing were highly valued. Tommy Lee Jones, as Abner, showcased an exhilarating efficiency, strongly capturing the bitterness and rage of his character. Shawn Whittington, as Sarty, admirably portrayed the innocent and compassionate kid stuck in between loyalty and honesty, recording audiences' hearts.

In Conclusion
"Barn Burning" is an informative film that portrays post-Civil War southern rural life and the predicaments dealt with by a young boy torn in between his abusive daddy and lawfulness. The movie successfully explores the intricacies of principles, family bonds, class struggle and the mission for identity versus the background of an oppressive, patriarchal figure and social inequality, based upon a poignant tale penned by Faulkner.

Top Cast

  • Tommy Lee Jones (small)
    Tommy Lee Jones
    Ab Snopes
  • Diane Kagan
    Mother
  • Shawn Whittington
    Sarty Snopes
  • Carolyn Coates (small)
    Carolyn Coates
    Aunt
  • Michael Riney
    Brother
  • Jennie Hughes
    Lena Snopes
  • Henry Fonda (small)
    Henry Fonda
    Narrator