Black Civil Rights
These films and documentaries chronicle the long, painful and often dangerous struggle of African-Americans to gain equality under the law. From the days of the slave trade to the political movements of the 1960s, there have always been extraordinary individuals who were not prepared to accept the status quo. It is almost incredible to think that such a large section of the population, living in 'the land of the free' did not even have full suffrage until 1965. For a broader perspective on racism throughout the world you may also like to try the Special Interest category 'Racial Intolerance'.
Pictured: Iconic Civil Rights Leader, Martin Luther King Jr.
12 Years a Slave (2013)
8.1/10
Director: Steve McQueen
Starring: Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Paul Dano, Benedict Cumberbatch, Quv...
In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Read more
12 Years a Slave ( Blu-ray ) (2013)
8.1/10
Director: Steve McQueen
Starring: Brad Pitt, Paul Giamatti, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Paul Dano, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mic...
In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Read more
A Huey P Newton Story (2001)
7.1/10
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: Roger Guenveur Smith
An intimate portrait of Huey P. Newton, the late co-founder of the Black Panther Party. Director Spike Lee and Roger Guenveur Smith bring Newton's tho... Read more
Amazing Grace (2006)
7.4/10
Director: Michael Apted
Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Romola Garai, Benedict Cumberbatch, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon...
The incredible true story of William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), who fought for years, along with other anti-slavery campaigners, to ban the trans-At... Read more
Berkeley in the Sixties (1990)
7.6/10
Director: Mark Kitchell
Starring: Martin Luther King, Allen Ginsberg, Joan Baez
An acclaimed film of the major events of the 1960s, including the civil rights movement, free speech protests and anti-war rallies, as seen by 15 lead... Read more
BlacKkKlansman (2018)
7.8/10
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Robert John Burke, Topher Grace, Ashlie Atkinson, Adam Driver, Rya...
From Spike Lee comes the incredible true story of an American hero. Its the early 1970s, and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) is the first Afri... Read more
BlacKkKlansman (Blu-Ray) (2018)
7.8/10
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: Alec Baldwin, Robert John Burke, Topher Grace, Ashlie Atkinson, Adam Driver, Rya...
From Spike Lee comes the incredible true story of an American hero. Its the early 1970s, and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) is the first Afri... Read more
Brother To Brother (2004)
7/10
Director: Rodney Evans
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Roger Robinson, Larry Gilliard Jr, Aunjanue Ellis, Duane Boutte,...
Perry Williams (Anthony Mackie) is an articulate, black, gay artist living in New York City. Shunned by his family for his sexual orientation and wor... Read more
Citizen King (2001)
Director: Orlando Bagwell, W Noland Walker
This beautifully-crafted documentary traces the last five years in the life of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. From his August 1963 L... Read more
Cry Freedom (1987)
7.5/10
Director: Richard Attenborough
Starring: Kevin Kline, Penelope Wilton, Denzel Washington
Stirring epic drama by Richard Attenborough ("Gandhi") that follows the friendship between white South African journalist Donald Woods (Kevin Kline) a... Read more