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.
Salute (2008)
7.6/10
Director: Matt Norman
Starring: Tommie Smith, Peter Norman, John Carlos
At the 1968 Mexico Olympics two black American athletes, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, won gold and bronze respectively, in the 200m dash, famously gi... 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
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
Gospel Hill (2008)
5.4/10
Director: Giancarlo Esposito
Starring: Adam Baldwin, Angela Bassett, Tom Bower, Giancarlo Esposito, Danny Glover, Nia L...
Earnest ensemble drama set in a small Southern town still haunted by the unsolved assassination of a civil rights leader there thirty years ago. John... Read more
Green Book (Blu-Ray) (2018)
8.3/10
Director: Peter Farrelly
Starring: Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini
Dr Don Shirley is a world-class African-American pianist, who is about to embark on a concert tour in the Deep South in 1962. In need of a driver and... 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
Freedom Riders (2011)
8.2/10
Director: Stanley Nelson
This documentary from award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson is the powerful story of six months in 1961 that changed America forever. From May until... 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
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
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