Miss Evers' Boys (1997)

About Miss Evers' Boys

The 1997 movie "Miss Evers' Boys" is based on a true story involving the infamous Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male, which took place between 1932 and 1972. The movie revolves around Eunice Evers, a nurse who was part of the experiment and who witnessed the devastating effects of the study on the innocent men involved.

Making / Production

The movie was directed by Joseph Sargent and produced by Kip Konwiser, Derek Kavanagh, and Laurence Fishburne. The screenplay was written by Walter Bernstein and adapted from the stage play by David Feldshuh.

Actors

• Alfre Woodard as Nurse Eunice Evers - played her character with a deep sense of compassion and loyalty.
• Laurence Fishburne as Caleb Humphries - brought to life the role of a tough-but-loyal participant in the study.
• Joe Morton as Dr. Sam Brodus - portrayed the cold, calculating doctor who was more interested in the study's results than the men's well-being.
• Obba Babatundé as Willie Johnson - showed the heartbreaking effects of the experiment on his character's health and life.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Feldshuh.
• It was originally premiered as a television movie on HBO.
• The story spotlights one of the most controversial medical scandals in U.S. history.

Awards

"Miss Evers' Boys" received several awards and nominations. It won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Made for Television Movie and the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Film. Alfre Woodard won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film for her portrayal of Nurse Eunice Evers.

Quotes

• "The United States government just told you it's okay to lie."
• "We were supposed to be making history... not repeating it."
• "They were not 'subjects', they were not 'guinea pigs', they were 'my boys'."

Music, Soundtrack

• "You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me" - performed by Billy Banks & His Orchestra
• "I Can't Face the Music" - performed by Billie Holiday
• "Somebody Loves Me" - performed by Peggy Lee