King: A Filmed Record—Montgomery to Memphis

Of the many documentaries on Martin Luther King, Jr., this Oscar-nominated 1970 film is one of the best, eschewing ponderous narration in favor of powerful archival material to cover the period from the 1955 bus boycott in Montgomery, AL—which signaled the civil rights leader's entrance into activism—through King's assassination and funeral in 1968. Apart from a prologue sharply contrasting King's non-violent approach with the more militant stance adopted by other African-American figures of the time, the strictly chronological presentation relies mostly on film, although a few instances are audio-only (such as the Montgomery boycott announcement). Extended excerpts from King's speeches, news conferences, and interviews are combined with related news footage that provides context, such as Lyndon Johnson signing the 1964 Civil Rights Act, or “Bull” Connor addressing white southerners on how to deal with activists. In addition, King features dramatic readings by Paul Newman, James Earl Jones, Harry Belafonte, Charlton Heston, and others, from the works of Frederick Douglass, Langston Hughes, and Ralph Ellison (the readings are also separately collected as a bonus feature). Other DVD extras include a brief discussion of the film's genesis by co-producer Richard Kaplan and the featurette “Legacy of a Dream.” Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)