Movies and TvShows featuring "john-henry-character" theme.

Tall Tale (1995) tells the story of Daniel, a young boy who embarks on an adventure and encounters legendary figures from the Wild West. With the help of these characters, including Pecos Bill and John Henry, Daniel learns important life lessons and discovers the power of dreams and imagination.

Meet the doers and dreamers who made America great -- including John Henry, the railroad builder who proved the value of believing in oneself. Journey with giant lumberjack Paul Bunyan as he clears the land for American settlers. Follow the trail of the beloved American Icon Johnny Appleseed, who planted apple trees which blossomed along the new frontier. Then, take an unforgettable ride with Casey Jones, The Brave Engineer who never failed to deliver the mail...no matter how difficult the route!

John Henry, an African-American railway worker from the 1860s, becomes a legendary figure when he challenges a powerful steam-powered racing machine in a man versus machine battle. This tall-tale of strength, determination, and folklore captures the spirit of John Henry as he fights for his pride and the rights of his fellow workers.

The legend of John Henry dates back to the late 19th century, and is a classic story of man versus machine. He was a steel-driver working on a railroad tunnel, and his strength and power was challenged when he was put up against a steam-powered drilling device. 

In this Puppetoon animated short film (an Academy Award Best Short Subject, Cartoons nominee), legendary American folklore figure John Henry (voice of Rex Ingram) goes to work for the C&O Railroad, which shortly thereafter buys an automatic steel-driving engine, The Inky-Poo. John Henry matches his strength against the engine, saying that any man can beat a machine because a man has a mind. Can he prevail? In 2015 this film, deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant", was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with UCLA Film & Television Archive in 2009.

The folk legend of John Henry, and his contest with a steam engine to cut a railroad tunnel through a mountain, is told in song by Roberta Flack.