Marvin Gaye sang:
 Father, Father
 We don't need to escalate.
 War is not the answer.
 'Cause only love can conquer hate.
 We've got to find a way,
 To bring some loving here today.

I daresay these well-known lyrics to this popular tune by one of America's most premier R&B/soul singers set the tone of public opinion for the baby boomer generation in the 1960s.  That was the era of civil rights protests, marches.  That was the terror, the brand of which Theophilus Eugene "Bull" Connor unleashed upon average black Americans aged 12-35. Did you miss all that American history? Well, don't fret...right now is the perfect time to see it.

I am not talking about the so-called African American History Month [who in their right mind could even think a whole country's history could be told in one single month?] marked on the calendar each year for the month of February [the shortest month of the year, at that, mind you].  Black Americans make [and have made] history every day of the year, just as have white Americans. Do we have a White (or Caucasian) American History Month? This 3-episode TV mini-series was released in 1978 and will most likely give the thinking man and woman who watch it pause to consider exactly these type thoughts. When I say that right now is the perfect time to see it, I refer to the lyrics of the late, great Marvin Gaye's song--What's Going On?/InnerCity Blues--above. Written. released, popularized, and apropo in '68 it is just as fitting to our state of affairs in '08, the year just past.


What Do You Mean, ledomaine?

The year Marvin Gaye released this song, Dr. King (on April 4) and, a short time later, Senator Robert F. Kennedy (on June 5) would be assassinated.  Leading up to these most memorable and disastrous crimes against the American people were so many more crises dealt the nation.  The infamous Bay of Pigs--a failed attempt by a U.S.-trained force of Cuban exiles (with the support of U.S. government armed forces) that set out to invade southern Cuba and overthrow the government of Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro in April, 1961--placed a newly-minted John F. Kennedy Administration in the thick of international affairs, just four months following the inauguration of President Kennedy. A little more than two and a half years later President John F. Kennedy is assassinated, some say the failed coup had more than a little to do with it. Leading the list of suspected causes for the assassination of the youngest and most charismatic leader of the free world is his support of equal rights/civil rights of blacks and his refusal to take America into war with Vietnam.  After his untimely, widely-mourned death, President Lyndon B. Johnson would follow-through on one and reverse his decision on another.  Senator Robert F. Kennedy would run for president, which undoubtedly necessitated his death as surely as it had his older brother five short years before. And, we all know why Dr. King lost his life.  The dogs, fire hoses, and horseback-riding/billy club-wielding policemen in cities as progressive as Chicago, Detroit, and L.A. loosed upon the citizens of the U.S. who just happened to have a darker tanned skin 12 months out of the year, without doubt played a large part of the creation of three widows and their orphaned young children.

In King, all these solemn events were placed on film to be presented to those American audiences who were interested in learning the truth about the turbulent '50s and '60s.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Paul Winfield) was the primary character in this film. But, as with the story of most all of us, the tale of our lives cannot be told without converging upon the tale of some many others'.  As the story progress, the backstories are revealed and King leaves little of this era of the American tale untold.


So, It's Worth Giving Up An Evening?

Winfield plays the title role well. Those of us who witnessed the real, live person who was Martin Luther King, might have a brief moment of pause at the realization of the substitution of Winfield for the original.  However, by the time he proposes to Coretta Scott (Cicely Tyson), we have forgotten he is only a stand-in for the real thing. Tyson, again, takes a tiny bit of getting used to, but she, too, seems to pull on the skin of her character, wearing it so well you wonder "did she share the experience first hand?"

The horror of American civil servants delivering bodily harm upon the American citizens they were supposed to serve, the terror of those sworn to protect wielding weapons of destruction against those who should have enjoyed that protection, instead was all captured by writer/director Abby Mann. Some of the footage was cut from the original news reel shots.  Also, although shot in color, for maximum effect, some shots are in black in white, giving those scenes which would best be served in that format a true feeling of authenticity.

Mann directed and/or wrote such notable films and/or screenplays as Judgment at Nuremberg and Ship of Fools, among others.  One of the most difficult tales to tell on this medium (film) is a tale about living or recently departed, well-known persons.  Recounting recently past hisory to an audience whose members witnessed the events portrayed first (or second removed) hand must withstand the potential of much scrutiny and criticism by the same.  Mann did an admirable job, here.

Supporting cast were as well recognized and acclaimed actors as were Tyson and Winfield.  If you doubt it, take a look at the cast listed below.  The original TV mini-drama was spread over several evenings.  I viewed this one in one afternoon/evening.  It is also available on DVD, so the purchaser/renter can take as much time to peruse it as they require or desire.  But, for those who are curious about the Civil Rights Movement/Era, a firecracker ignited among a truckload of powderkegs in the history of our nation, I say it's one worth checking out.

To reiterate my opening views, now is the time.  Unless you've been living in a cave the past six months, you know why it might be important to know more about the history of race and race relations in America.  Right? Get a move on...it, and this film, are both recommended.



 ***** CAST *****

Paul Winfield... Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Cicely Tyson... Coretta Scott
Tony Bennett... Himself
Roscoe Lee Browne... Philip Harrison
Lonny Chapman... Chief Frank Holloman
Ossie Davis... Rev. Martin Luther King Sr.
Cliff De Young... Robert F. Kennedy
Al Freeman Jr.... Damon Lockwood
Clu Gulager... William Sullivan
Steven Hill... Stanley Levison
William Jordan... John F. Kennedy
Warren J. Kemmerling... Lyndon Johnson
Lincoln Kilpatrick... Jerry Waring
Kenneth McMillan... Bull Connor
Howard E. Rollins Jr.... Andrew Young
David Spielberg... David Beamer
Dolph Sweet... J. Edgar Hoover
Dick Anthony Williams... Malcolm X
Art Evans... A.D. King
Julian Bond... Himself



As always, thanks for reading, rating, and commenting.  Hope you're having a wonderful, safe summer.  And, remember, do fine in 2009!

.


Original review, © Edwyne Rouchelle, 2009

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older