For all his exploits and accomplishments, Martin Luther King, Jr. was under constant surveillance by the government during his time as a civil rights advocate. The documentary MLK/FBI details the organization’s harassment of King, using newly declassified documents as a guide. It would make an exceptional inclusion in any Black History Month or Martin Luther King Jr. Day library programming.
The film’s chronology stems from 1955 to King’s death in 1968. Interestingly, no new information is provided regarding his assassination. Those wishing to see James Earl Ray be exonerated won’t find it here. Instead, attention is paid to the FBI’s attempts to discredit the activist. This was done primarily by leaking information about King’s extramarital relationships. Viewers will also notice the racial disparities in King and his followers vs. the majority-white FBI.
Interviews with figures including James Comey, Donna Murch, Charles Knox, Clarence Jones, and others are peppered throughout, mostly through voiceover. An interesting note is, even with all the information presented in the film’s 104 minutes, there is still information yet to be declassified. We’ll have to wait until 2027 to see if there is any new information that will unlock questions revolving around the King case. MLK/FBI is a must-see for any history professors focusing on civil rights in their classrooms.