John Henry (1986). From the "Tall Tales & Legends" series aired between 1985 and 1988. This film somewhat deviated from traditional folktale of John Henry with the biggest difference being the ending. Starring Danny Glover, Lynn Whitfield, Tom Hulce, Lou Rawls, Julian Christopher, Barry Corbin, Thelma Houston, E'Lon Cox, David Donham, Jadili Johnson, Christopher Burton, Rick Reynolds, Lemoria English "On the night John Henry was born, lightning bolts shaped like nine-pound hammers filled the sky