A Woman Called Moses: The 1978 Miniseries Chronicling Harriet Tubman’s Legacy

The 1978 NBC miniseries A Woman Called Moses dramatizes the extraordinary life of Harriet Tubman, the African American abolitionist who escaped slavery and later led dozens to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Based on Marcy Heidish’s 1976 novel, the production blends historical narrative with cinematic storytelling, anchored by Cicely Tyson’s acclaimed portrayal of Tubman 1 2.

Production and Narrative

Developed by screenwriter Lonne Elder III and directed by Paul Wendkos, the miniseries spans Tubman’s escape from Maryland in 1849, her 13 rescue missions, and her role as a Union spy during the Civil War 2 5. Orson Welles narrates, contextualizing her struggles with epilepsy—a result of a childhood injury—and her unwavering resolve 1 7. The score by Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson and theme by Van McCoy underscore the tension and triumph of her journeys 1 5.

Critical Reception

Though Tyson’s performance was widely praised, Welles’ narration drew mixed reviews for its intrusiveness 3 6. The miniseries earned one award but remains a seminal depiction of Tubman’s legacy, highlighting her strategic brilliance and the risks faced by conductors on the Underground Railroad 3 4.

Related Works

• Harriet, the Woman Called Moses (1985): Thea Musgrave’s opera reimagines Tubman’s life through vignettes, premiering in Virginia with a chorus representing collective resistance 3 6.

• Contemporary documentaries like Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom (2022) continue to explore her impact 4.

A Woman Called Moses endures as a tribute to Tubman’s defiance of injustice, resonating in adaptations across media 1 3 6.

Harriet Tubman is portrayed by the actress Cicely Tyson. Who also portrayed a former slave (although fictional) in the equally excellent film, The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.

All in all, this film is definitely worth watching. You can get the full quality version on DVD here

Citations:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Woman_Called_Moses
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet,_the_Woman_Called_Moses
4. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078509/
5. https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2020/06/harriet-tubman-conductor-on-the-underground-railroad/
6. https://www.wisemusicclassical.com/work/11668/Harriet-The-Woman-Called-Moses--Thea-Musgrave/
7. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078509/fullcredits/cast
8. https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/harriet-tubman

Sunday, July 17, 2016 Tags : A Woman Called Moses , Cicely Tyson , Harriet Tubman