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.
Selma (2014)
7.5/10
Director: Ava DuVernay
Starring: Carmen Ejogo, David Oyelowo, Tim Roth, Tom Wilkinson, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Goodin...
This film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting right... Read more
Soundtrack for a Revolution (2009)
7.6/10
Director: Bill Guttentag, Dan Sturman
Starring: Harry Belafonte, Richie Havens, Wyclef Jean, John Legend, The Blind Boys of Alab...
This music documentary tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music - the freedom songs protesters sang on picket... Read more
Talk to Me (2007)
7.4/10
Director: Kasi Lemmons
Starring: Don Cheadle, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Cedric The Entertainer, Taraji P Henson, Mike Epp...
Don Cheadle stars in this funky bio-pic of Petey Greene, an ex-con who became an iconic radio DJ and outspoken social activist in the turbulent 1960s.... Read more
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (2015)
7.3/10
Director: Stanley Nelson
On May 2, 1967, twenty-four black men and six white women dressed in blue shirts, black berets, and black leather jackets ascended the steps of the ca... Read more
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (2011)
7.5/10
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
During the rise of The Black Power Movement in the '60s and '70s, Swedish Television journalists documented the unfolding cultural revolution for thei... Read more
The Help (2011)
8.1/10
Director: Tate Taylor
Starring: Allison Janney, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain, Emma Stone
A 1960s-era Mississippi debutante sends her community into an uproar by conducting a series of probing interviews with the black servants behind some... Read more
The Secret Life of Bees (2008)
7.3/10
Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Sophie Okonedo, Pau...
Southern Carolina, 1964. 14-year-old Lily (Dakota Fanning), haunted by the death of her mother, and unable to bear living with her emotionally distant... Read more
The Weather Underground (2002)
7.6/10
Director: Sam Green, Bill Siegel
Thirty years ago, a group of young American radicals called The Weathermen announced their intention to overthrow the U.S. government. Fueled by outra... Read more
Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2005)
8.3/10
Director: Ken Burns
Starring: Muhammad Ali, Adam Arkin, Philip Bosco, Keith David, Jack Johnson, Samuel L Jack...
Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns employs his inimitable laid back style to explore the life of flambloyant heavyweight boxer, Jack Johnson. Born to... Read more
Voices of Civil Rights: Volume 1 (2006)
Starring: Martin Luther King
A powerful collection of documentary programs chronicling one of the most turbulent and triumphant periods in American history. This series features o... Read more