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.
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 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
Mad Men: Season 3 (2009)
8.6/10
Director: Various
Starring: Vincent Kartheiser, January Jones, John Slattery, Jon Hamm, Christina Hendricks,...
Set in early 1960's New York, this acclaimed drama follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising. Since... 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
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
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
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
Rebirth of a Nation (2007)
7.2/10
Director: Paul D (DJ Spooky) Miller
DJ Spooky's provocative 'remix' of D.W. Griffith's infamous 1915 masterpiece, "The Birth of a Nation". Originally commissioned as a live multimedia pe... 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
Goodbye Bafana (2007)
Director: Bille August
Starring: Joseph Fiennes, Diane Kruger, Dennis Haysbert
The surprising relationship that developed between Nelson Mandela and South African prison guard James Gregory is explored in this riveting biodrama.... Read more