Narrated by Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Danny Glover, and Whoopi Goldberg with music by B.B. King, Taj Mahal, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Herbie Hancock, this collection of larger-than-life tales includes the titular story about an African American hero who was born with a hammer in his hand.


Join John Henry on a scenic journey from cotton country to the wilderness, where he finds men of all colors working together to build a great railroad. In no time, John Henry becomes king of the railroad camps by driving more steel than any man alive. And, in an exciting contest that pits man against machine, he single-handedly out-performs a new-fangled steam drill. This rousing tale delivers an inspirational message about pride and perseverance.