This topnotch PBS American Experience production chronicles the last five years of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, from his inspired leadership during the massive 1963 civil rights demonstrations in Birmingham, Alabama to his tragic assassination in Memphis, Tennessee in 1968. While this dynamic period of civil rights activism saw some remarkable political and social changes that came about in direct response to King's inspired leadership and personal charisma, filmmakers Orlando Bagwell and W. Noland Walker expand the portrait here beyond voter registration and integration to examine King's personal struggle to define his own personal identity within the larger drive for civil rights. Among the battles--which King confronts with a sometimes painful self-awareness--are his efforts to sustain a nonviolent stance in the face of the growing “black power” movement; his controversial position against Vietnam that led to strained relations with both the Johnson administration and various civil rights factions; and the daunting smear campaign launched by FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. Featuring television, newsreel, and film clips of protests, riots, and public speeches that are indelibly etched on the minds of many Americans, Citizen King also includes interviews with King's close friends and associates from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, as well as many of the students and black leaders he inspired. A well-balanced portrait of one of our nation's most influential 20th century moral leaders, this is highly recommended. DVD extras include an interview with filmmaker Bagwell. Aud: H, C, P. (A. Cantú)
Citizen King
(2004) 120 min. VHS: $24.98 ($54.95 w/PPR), DVD: $29.95 ($59.95 w/PPR). PBS Video (<span class=SpellE>tel</span>: 800-344-3337, web: pbs.org). <span class=GramE>Color cover.</span> <span class=GramE>Closed captioned.</span> ISBN: 0-7936-9505-8 (<span September 6, 2004
Citizen King
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