About as fine an example of conventional documentary filmmaking as you're likely to encounter, this hour-long documentary chronicles the tragic true story of a Chicago teen who was brutally killed (and whose racist murderers were promptly acquitted) while visiting a small Mississippi town in 1955, simply because he dared to whistle at a white woman. Writer Marcia Smith and producer-director Stanley Nelson use standard techniques to limn the awful tale--newsreel footage, still photos, intelligent narration (well-delivered by Andre Braugher) and excerpts of interviews with actual participants (most notably Till's mother, who died shortly after filming)--interweaving the various elements with great skill and sensitivity to effect a haunting portrait of a dark moment in American history that not only examines the case with care and precision but also situates it within the larger context of contemporary southern culture. Originally aired on PBS's acclaimed American Experience series, this is an excellent chronicle of a shameful episode that sparked an outrage that would carry over into the beginnings of the Civil Rights movement a few years later. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (F. Swietek)
The Murder of Emmett Till
(2003) 60 min. VHS: $24.98 ($54.95 w/PPR). PBS Video. Color cover. Closed captioned. ISBN: 0-7806-4203-1. Volume 18, Issue 4
The Murder of Emmett Till
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