SOUNDTRACK FOR A REVOLUTION {LETTERBOX} (MOTION PICTURE)
Summary
This documentary is about the American civil rights movement of the 1950s-1960s with a focus on the music that inspired and encouraged the participants, including performances by modern-day artists. The program opens with various activists discussing their experiences being arrested and how it was viewed as “necessary trouble” as Anthony Hamilton and the Blind Boys of Alabama perform “This May Be the Last Time.” Harry Belafonte then talks about how songs were used as communication as well as expressions of emotion back during the days of slavery. Clips from an old film about the “challenge” of segregation are shown, and the interviewees discuss the unfair double standards and rules about interracial interactions, including concepts such as “reckless eyeballing” of white women by black men. Andrew Young, an associate of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. talks about Rosa Parks’ involvement and protest against the bus system, and explains that Dr. King how selected to lead the boycott of the buses in Montgomery. Angie Stone then performs “Wade in the Water.”
Coretta Scott King, Dr. King’s widow, talks about the bombing of their home in 1955 and Dr. King’s continued commitment to non-violent protest. After a yearlong boycott, the segregation on the buses was deemed unconstitutional, and this victory encouraged the activists to continue their work. They turned their attention to segregated lunch counters and staged sit-ins; Julian Bond and Reverend Jim Lawson talk about studying the work of Mohandas Gandhi and learning about non-violent protest. A white “hippie” couple, Guy and Candie Carawan, became involved through music, and they perform “I’m Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table.” Footage is shown of the protests, including the violent responses from opposers, and various activists recount their experiences being beaten and abused by policemen and other prejudiced individuals. The “freedom rides,” involving integrated groups of protestors into the rural South from Washington, D.C. are then discussed, and Hank Thomas recalls an incident in which the bus he was riding was attacked and blown up. Joss Stone performs “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize.”
The use of spiritual music is then explored, and the interviewees talk about being accosted while in church and using music as a form of rebellion and defiance. Governor George Wallace of Alabama is shown in archival footage expressing his determination to uphold segregation, and the Carlton Reese Memorial Unity Choir performs “Reign Freedom.” Birmingham was known as a dangerous place of racial tension, so Dr. King chose it as his next destination to combat inequality. John Seigenthaler discusses talking with Birmingham Public Safety Commissioner Theophilus “Bull” Connor about racial issues and having no luck. Dr. King struggled with the decision to involve children with the protests, but their eventual involvement made a significant impact, although they were often injured in the process, and the incidents shown on national television. The Carlton Reese Choir performs “I’m On My Way to Freedom Land” over footage of the riots. Mary Mary then performs “We Shall Overcome” as the activists talk about the 1963 March on Washington which “defined the movement,” particularly Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
Alabama and Mississippi were considered to be the most dangerous and racist states at the time, and Wyclef Jean performs “Here’s to the State of Mississippi” over footage of corrupt lawmen and Klansmen causing unrest and violence. During the “Freedom Summer” of 1964, many college-aged students were trained in the techniques of peaceful protest, but they were met with violence almost immediately when James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner vanished and were found murdered, along with several others, including Medgar Evers. Richie Havens performs “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” as images of many other murdered activists are shown, including the four young girls killed in the 16th Street church bombing. The interviewees then discuss Dr. King’s work in Selma, Alabama, and how it was seen as a “marking point” in the movement, largely because of the formidable Sheriff Jim Clark, known for his violent methods. The Selma to Montgomery marches of 1965 are examined, and the Carlton Reese Choir performs “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around” as activists who were present at the marches recount their experiences being beaten and tear-gassed by police. The marches were positively affected by President Johnson’s support, and soon the marchers had official police protection, although there was still much opposition and propaganda against them. The Roots then perform “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around.”
Dr. King’s aides talk about their awareness of death threats against him, but explain that he continued his work despite them, traveling to Memphis to support the garbage workers’ strike amidst riots that were, as it turned out, planned by the cops. Footage of his infamous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech, delivered the day before his death, is shown, and his associates discuss in detail their memories of his assassination on April 4, 1968. John Legend performs “Woke Up This Morning With my Mind Stayed on Freedom” over footage of Dr. King’s funeral and the public’s reactions to his death. The film concludes with the activists stating that “you can kill the dreamer, but you cannot kill the dream,” and examining how Dr. King’s message of non-violence and equality survived past his death, culminating with the inauguration of President Barack Obama. Several artists perform “We Shall Overcome” over the closing credits.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 30, 0199
- RUNNING TIME: 01:22:20
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 103996
- GENRE: Documentary
- SUBJECT HEADING: Documentary; Civil rights movement; African-American Collection - News/Talk
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Jarrett Lilien … Executive Producer
- Gina Harrell … Executive Producer
- Mark Downie … Executive Producer
- Marc Henry Johnson … Executive Producer
- Danny Glover … Executive Producer
- Joslyn Barnes … Producer
- Jim Czarnecki … Producer
- Dylan Nelson … Producer
- Bill Guttentag … Producer, Writer, Director
- Dan Sturman … Producer, Writer, Director
- Beverly Oden … Co-Producer
- Agnes Varis … Associate Producer
- William Douglass … Associate Producer
- Peter Buffett … Associate Producer
- Jennifer Buffett … Associate Producer
- Mihal Arguetty … Associate Producer
- Julia Mintz … Associate Producer
- Lindsay Gillette … Associate Producer
- Lauren McCauley … Associate Producer
- Karen Chien … Line Producer
- Karen Lin … Line Producer
- Mynette Louie … Line Producer
- Philip Marshall … Music by
- Harry Belafonte
- The Blind Boys of Alabama
- Julian Bond
- Candie Carawan
- Guy Carawan
- The Carlton Reese Memorial Unity Choir
- James Chaney
- Jim Clark
- Theophilus "Bull" Connor
- Medgar Evers
- Mohandas Gandhi
- Andrew Goodman
- Anthony Hamilton
- Richie Havens
- Wyclef Jean
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Coretta Scott King
- Jim Lawson
- John Legend
- Mary Mary
- Barack Obama
- Rosa Parks
- The Roots
- Michael Schwerner
- John Seigenthaler
- Angie Stone
- Joss Stone
- Hank Thomas
- George Wallace
- Andrew Young