Metacritic reviews

Naïve, ludicrous, sublime and heartbreaking masterpiece of American folk drama.

The Green Pastures is the nearest thing there is to modern U. S. folk drama.

In many ways, this is one of the best biblical films ever done. Mostly because it doesn't preach, just entertains, and in doing that, puts its lessons across with a minimum of effort.

Green Pastures, told with gentle humor, gives more meaning to biblical stories than most holier-than-thou entries. [23 Feb 2003, p.9]

A simple, enchanting, audience-captivating all-[black] cinematic fable.

Southern idiom, delicious fish fries, and naive theology are fused with awe and wonder.

It has enormous charm in its folklorish fancies, and a performance of great gentleness and good humour from Ingram which is never tainted by the mawkish religiosity that creeps in towards the end. What is offensive is the way in which the depths of plangent suffering that inspired the spirituals are totally ignored.