Editorial Review

All these decades after his assassination at the age of 39, Malcolm X remains one of the most controversial figures in modern American history, and this segment from the A&E Read more

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Great for an introduction
I was disappointed that you rarely heard from Malcom X. I was disappointed that I heard more from James Cone. I appreciate his thoughts, but I could read his book for his thoughts. I thought the video should have captured more comments from various people such as Ossie Davis who did his eulogy. I did enjoy the comments by Peter Goldman. It is an excellent video to be introduced to Malcolm X. If you are familiar with Malcolm X then I think you will be disappointed as I was. ... Read more

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Editorial Review

The key players in the radical movement known as the Weather Underground are skillfully brought to life in this Oscar-nominated documentary. The Weathermen were born of sixties protest, but took their scheme to overthrow the U.S. government to especially violent extremes. Never a well-populated movement, the Underground petered out as its leaders aged during the seventies; by decade's end, weary of hiding, most of them had turned themselves over to the authorities. That journey, by which a fire-breathing revolutionary such as Bernadine Dohrn became a (still fiery) gray-haired wife and mother, is an intriguing one. This film, rich in period footage (and some unnecessary sensationalism) captures the era somewhat broadly. But the present-day interviews with the participants, contrasted with their radical selves, provides an exceptionally detailed look inside the organization itself. It's not a nostalgic look back, and the overall mood is sobering rather than celebratory. Lili Taylor provides the narration. Read more

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Weird world we live in
They were a radical organization that wanted to overthrow the United States government. The were an offshoot of the SDS (Students for an Democratic Society). Their name came from a Bob Dylan song "Subterranean Homesick" ("You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows"). They bombed a lot of places, mostly government buildings.
Lame
While I don't agree with any kind of war, I also don't agree with violent demonstrations to get your point across.
Fascinating Insight
The Weather Underground and the radical left are shown in this documentary with most of their warts covered; but every now and again the blemishes pop into view.It makes an effort to show these graying radicals as somehow noble, idealistic characters; but in the end it exposes them as the childish, misguided, aimless fools that they were.Most of them have gone from being clueless kids to clueless adults; still waiting for a world revolution that is never coming.In the end the lesson, as stated in the film, is that radical movements cannot succeed because at some point the radicals always turn on each other.The only person in this movie I admired by the time it over was Mark Rudd who admitted having trouble coming to terms with his past actions and beliefs.Three of the nine members profiled in the film are now teaching college, giving me nightmares about what they might be indoctrinating their students into.
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Editorial Review

Frederick Douglass, the self-taught orator, writer, and abolitionist who was born a slave in the South and made a brave escape to the North, was in the words of one historian: "A major figure in the coming of the Civil War, and the way the Civil War was fought. I think you can say he was the conscience of the nation." Douglass campaigned Lincoln to free the slaves and allow African Americans to serve in the nation's army. An early proponent of women's rights, he campaigned for equal rights for all people and he served as America's first African American statesman when he was appointed diplomat to Haiti. He continued his public-speaking engagements up to his death in 1895 at the age of 78. The comments and analyses of numerous historians and excerpts from the writings and speeches of Douglass present a man driven by a dream, and who worked to make that dream a reality to the end of his days. With no contemporaries alive to comment on the private man, and only brief autobiographical excerpts included from his own works, this portrait tends to simplify the controversies of his life (his second marriage to a white woman rocked even the "liberal" North) and deify the man, but few Americans deserve such tribute more than Frederick Douglass. Read more

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Courage and Conscience
This accessible overview of Douglass' turbulent life from slavery and persecution to crusading newspaperman and presidential adviser should inform and inspire viewers. This biography recreates the prejudiced atmosphere where the myth of racial inferiority reigned in the South to justify slavery and in the North to rationalize indifference to human suffering. Douglass' fiery speeches still speak to our highest aspirations as Americans united by the creed that "all men (and women) are created equal."

To be Real
This story being a part of history goes without challenge in my mind because, the reports as recorded cannot change what was the way of living then.This is the story of a challenged man , challenged not only by the society that he was a part of but also his own personal being. A must for history enthusiasts. ... Read more

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Outstanding Video
I have shown this video several times in my Sociology class and the students are amazed at the content. Many students were not born or even a twinkle in their parents' eye in the 1960's; and this is a huge wawkening for them.
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A True Warrior
Hank Aaron is a Great Human being.He took the Key that Jackie Robinson,Larry Dolby&the Negro League Pioneers had&openedit&Split it in half.He overcame so much Hatred for breaking a Record.hePaved another road after the one set before him.not that he broke BabeRuth's number but the fact that he was a Black Man doing it caused themaddness.He is a Hero.

Hard Hitting and Glorious!
By "hard hitting", I'm referring not only to Hammerin' Hank's vicious home run swing, but also the vicious racism he faced as he pursuedthe home run king's record.This video pulls no punches.The racistletters, the kidnapping threat on his daughter, and the long lonelyoffseason between dingers 713 and 714. Then, he met a new ladyfriend, andwas ready for the new season, and the big challenge. If you appreciate HankAaron for the great player, and man, he was--buy this video. It tells thewhole ugly and beautiful story of a poor southern black child whoworshipped Jackie Robinson, then went on to fight the same battle...and WINBIG!Go Henry, I'm your biggest fan!

Hard Hitting and Glorious!
By "hard hitting", I'm referring not only to Hammerin' Hank's vicious home run swing, but also the vicious racism he faced as he pursuedthe home run king's record.This video pulls no punches.The racistletters, the kidnapping threat on his daughter, and the long lonelyoffseason between dingers 713 and 714. Then, he met a new ladyfriend, andwas ready for the new season, and the big challenge. If you appreciate HankAaron for the great player, and man, he was--buy this video. It tells thewhole ugly and beautiful story of a poor southern black child whoworshipped Jackie Robinson, then went on to fight the same battle...and WINBIG!Go Henry, I'm your biggest fan! ... Read more

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Editorial Review

One of the essential documentary series from 20th-century television,Read more

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The Most Insightful, Thorough, and Engaging Documentary on American History Ever Made
Eyes on the Prize describes in great detail the historical conditions, processes, and events that existed in America before the Civil Rights era and the inevitable but inspring response that was made by some of our greatest citizens.It covers in tremendous detail and breadth the notable and forgotten figures in this great American story.
Exteremely moving...
This is the best documentary I have ever seen it is wonderful that they are reissuing it on DVD.Many of the stories bring me to tears as the time line of the civil rights movement is played out.It should be a requirement for all americans to watch this important piece of american history. A must see.

Eye's On The Prize only on VHF and not DVD
Open letter to Amazon.com
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Wonderful artist; wonderful biography
"Half Past Autumn" serves as a video biography of a wonderful artist, Gordon Parks.Parks was a genius of all trades -- photography, music composition; writing, filmmaking."Half Past Autumn" gives an overview of his life, from his birth ("At his birth he died -- and was named Gordon after the young interning doctor who said -- let me try something -- and put him in freezing water and rubbed his body with a cloth -- bringing him back to life)Maybe his extraordinary birth had something to do with his extraordinary life. Gordon Parks did everything on his own terms; beginning with his days at Life Magazine as the first black photojournalist in the 1950s. Parks captured the humanity in all people in his photographs.This film is excellent overview of Gordon Parks' life.

A TRIBUTE TO AN ARTIST
Gordon Parks has lived a long life. Half Past Autumn, the artistic retrospective of his life toured the country and received outstanding accolades. In this video of the same name, we as viewers get the opportunity to see the portfolio of this man's contributions as a photographer, composer, novelist and poet. Parks is a man for all times. The images from the heart
Just to see the relationship for more than 20 years between this incredible photographer and human being and Flavio, a poor kid from the "Favelas" at Rio de Janeiro, is enough for me to buy this wonderful documentary.Read more

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A must-have for boxing fans
I gifted this to my dad, who is a boxing fan.He absolutely loved it. 6 hours of great boxing.I would recommend this to anyone who like boxing or ALI or both.

Priceless
This three-disc documentary about the career of Muhammad Ali is amazing, worth more than 100 miscast biopics put together. It tells the whole story, from his youth to his gold medal to his ascension to the championship to his exile from the sport and right through to the end of his fighting days and his later-life bout with Parkinson's. It works for fans of Ali, obviously, but it also works if you want a general primer on boxing history or even an overview of the social, cultural, and political tumult of the 60's. Love him or hate him, the man is an icon, and this has all the footage and all the interviews with all the people who know and were there. An absolute must-have.

The greatest documentary about Muhammad Ali of all time
When you pose with Muhammad Ali for photographs what he likes to do is have you make a fist and put it up against the side of the face while he assumes a boxing pose, so you look like you are landing a heavy blow against the only man ever to win the heavyweight boxing title three times.However, when it was my turn to pose there was no way on earth I was going to pretend I was beating up on the Champ, so I just wanted to shake hands.This gave Ali a chance to give me bunny ears.
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Editorial Review

This animated time-travel adventure features a stellar cast and is a delight for kids and adults alike. When Matt, a black teenager, has to go on a class field trip to the museum of Martin Luther King Jr., he thinks that he'd rather play baseball. But the trip turns into an exciting adventure when he and his best friend, Randy, who's white, are sent back in time to meet Dr. King. Read more

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I watched this in elementary!
I watched this movie every Martin Luther King Day in elementary. I started in 4th grade then ended up in 6th. Every year I was still engrossed in the message and the characters that were put forward. I, in highschool, am ordering this movie to show my little sister who hasn't seen it and hasn't appreciated MLK. It's a must for people OF ALL AGES to see the world through MLK's eyes and what it would be without him. It allows people to connect with MLK and to see what he really strove for. I love this movie, it will never grow old! I hope to show this to my kids one day.

Great pick for MLK day
As a first grade teacher it was hard to find a movie that the kids would enjoy and learn from. This movie was great for both of those needs. The kids love the movie and I also enjoyed watching it. It was a great pick for MLK day.

DVD Our Friend Martin
Excellent service and it was just what I ordered, my students loved it. ... Read more

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Editorial Review

The title says it all: Tupac Shakur was as much angel as outlaw. Unlike some of the other profiles made in the wake of his passing, Read more

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VERY INSIGHTFUL!!!!!
This DVD gave me more footage and knowledge of 2pac's life added to the many DVD's I saw and other CD's I heard.

2pac shakurs life as an outlaw
Now this box set will give you everything you will need to know about the legendary 2pac Shakur.It comes with 2 dvds witch the first one is called "life of an outlaw" witch chronicles Tupacs life witch has interviews with his stepfather and the people he has worked with in the music industry. This also comes with a book called "Holler If You Hear Me" written my Michael Dyson, he goes in the search for 2pac interviewing people he worked with. There is a soundtrack witch is mostly made up of the outlawz and his close friends. So if you want to learn more about Tupac Amaru Shakur then get this one, R.I.P Tupac Amaru Shakur.

Close to Number 1
Wow what can I say. . . This movie is like the best documentary besides resserection, because it explains so much, from what he says about the cops and his child hood. . And every peace of information helps you. . To get into tupacs mind and what he thought about the world,rap music exc. . .so if u like Tupac then get this movie because you will be very Happy :) ... Read more

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Editorial Review

One of the greatest and most memorable moments in the civil rightsmovement occurred when 200,000 people marched on Washington, D.C., on August 28, 1963. Not only was the gathering of so many united people extraordinary, but that day Martin Luther King Jr. stood before the marchers anddelivered his most eloquent and inspiring speech. This video offers the "I Have a Dream" speech in its entirety, as well as footage of the opposition the protesters faced, such as the fire hoses the police in Alabama used to disperse the crowds. The narrator explains that the hoses shot 700 pounds of pressure, enough to strip the bark off a tree. However, the grimness of this era is not the only focus in this video. Dr. King had so much hope and faith in thesuccess of the civil rights movement, and the greatest demonstration of this is in the famous speech. He uses modern metaphors and poetry to get his message out clearly, as when he describes the capitol as having given blacks a check marked "insufficient funds," but he reminds us that they will refuse to believe the bank of justice is bankrupt, that they will cash their check for riches of freedom and security of justice. Throughout the speech he emphasizes his mission: nonviolence as a method of overcoming ("Soul force against militant force") and the importance of walking together as a unified group, and never walking alone. Although the video ends with his death, it still leaves the viewer feeling uplifted with Robert Kennedy's memorial address, pleading with Americans to hold on to Dr. King's views and adopt them as their own. A concise video with one of the greatest speeches of our time. Read more

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Perfect
Essential for any thinking man over the age of 40 in the United States.

A Wonderful Presentation.
I found this presentation of King's speech to be excellently portrayed.After a brief introduction, about 5 minutes about the civil right's movement and circumstances leading up to the famous march on Washington, the speech is presented in its entirety.Some of the footage leading up to the speech is emotionally graphic - high pressure fire houses being used on peaceful demonstrators and footage from the aftermath of the Church bombing.
i to have a dream
They say we wouldn't we shouldn't and we couldn't make it.They say that we are the odds of the crowd.We to have dreams.Dreams of seeing the sky.We to have dreams so don't come with whys.We are to motivated to start dividacation between this nation.We ALL are created equal just like the God created us.We have to much knowledge to come apart. ... Read more

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Editorial Review

A century before Martin Luther King Jr. or Malcolm X, there was Frederick Douglass, arguably the most important and the earliest African American activist in United States history.This informative, inspiring documentary traces Douglass's heroic life and work.Born into slavery, Douglass was separated from his mother as a small child and forced into field labor on one of the largest plantations in the American South.There he witnessed such horrific brutality to his fellow slaves that by the age of 8 he wished that he had never been born.He was then sent to Baltimore to live as a house slave, an event he would later consider an act of divine providence.It was there that young Frederick learned to read and write, setting him on the path to become a powerful writer, orator, and agitator.Read more

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A Fiery Orator Lights the Conscience of a Few
A compelling 90-minute PBS biography tracing Douglass' struggles, ideas, and influences. This sophisicated chronicle examines debates within the abolitionist movement, Douglass' complicated relationship to Lincoln and the Republican party, and Douglass' personal life. A fascinating look at the radical politics of 19th century when blacks were slaves, women couldn't own property or vote, and angry mobs attacked abolitionist speakers for arguing that "all men are created equal."

what an amazing life
Frederick Douglass surely led one of the most amazing lives in American history, and I think this video does him justice. I just showed it to my freshman American history class, and I was pleased by how many relevantissues it brought up,while still being entertaining, with good music,cinematography, etc. Charles Dutton did a good job reading Douglass'swords, also. I thought he was a suprising choice (physically they're sounalike), but one that paid off. I personally very much enjoyed thecommentary by leading historians like William McFeeley and Vincent Harding.Some viewers may be put off by their analysis, thinking that it breaks theflow of the narrative of his life (some of my students, for example), but Ithink the historians provided very valuable, thought-provoking comments.Everyone should know about Frederick Douglass, and this video would be afine introduction if you don't.

An incredible story about an awesome man
This documentary about Frederick Douglass moved me to tears in several places. The hardship and sadness and tragedy he witnessed and endured would have crushed the life out of most, be he rose above it time after time.Read more

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Editorial Review

A vibrantly presented and emotionally charged portrait of the dynamic African leader, this needed tighter narration to close informational gaps. For instance, there is very little mention of F.W. de Klerk, although as the corecipient of the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize (along with Nelson Mandela), he most certainly figured greatly in the peaceful passing of the political baton. It may leave you with a few questions but otherwise captures Mandela's remarkable spirit. It follows him from his early days and tribal education through his work with the African National Congress to his election as Africa's first black president. Produced by Jonathan Demme, this wisely includes poetry of Africa, as much a part of Mandela's story as his own inner strength. Nominated for 1997 Academy Award for Best Documentary. Read more

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Disagree with the Editorial Review greatly on this point
Specifically, the narritive flow was good, and it gave persons a way to see the developement of Nelson Mandela and the freedom movement in South Africa.The statement that there was not alot about De Klerk, I also agree in substance and tone.De Klerk appeared commensurate to what Nelson Mandela had been saying all of his life, that he was always against racism, no pro one ethnic group or the other.This is something that De Klerk was not committed to from the beginning of his life apparently, and he, like Pharoah in Egypt, saw the writing on the wall with respect to the newness that was coming.Nonetheless, when Freedom finally came to South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who I know personnally, led all of us in a hand clap for Mr. De Klerk.This story, was about Nelson Mandela finally, not about Mr. De Klerk, and hence I didn't find the inclusion of De Klerk or the amount of time that he appeared, particularly out of balance with the main drive of the story.

Mandela: Son of Africa, Father of a Nation
Watched with my teenager and found this to be a very nice review of Nelson Mandela's life.Starts with how he was raised and educated to be the assistant to a village chief through his election as President of South Africa.The initial focus on how he was raised and interviews with his sister and others who know him gave good insight into his character that made him such a fighter for justice and great leader. ... Read more

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Malcolm X is the Prophet and Minister of Life
This is an excellent video from Dan Rather who did this documentary on CBS. He has a lot of ideas on whom he wanna to tell to folks who knew him and remembered him. First you have Quincy Jones, Spike Lee, The late Betty Shabazz, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Public Enemy, Maya Angelou, everybody who's comin' down talkin' 'bout the man who did it all. He's the man who behind the speaker, the man behind the knowledge, the man behind the facts and the details of life. He's like our mentor to me, knahmsayin. This is sumthin I should picked up even tho I watched to this day. This is definitely recommended along with the book he put out w/ Alex Haley.

Standard TV Documentary
This is a well done, yet generic television documentary and good if you're interested in Malcolm X's public life. It seems their idea of an 'intimate portrait' was based more upon his life in the press and how others viewed him. At times it seems to border on the sensationalistic, but only goes so far (probably because of the Dan Rather element). There are some interesting interviews, but they never linger too long on the personal. More time is given to the conflict Malcolm X experienced with the Nation of Islam, how people reacted to or regarded him, the controversy surrounding him, and some questions are raised regarding the conspiracy of his assassination. It is interesting for historical and political purposes and the interviews with current Afro-American figures such as James Farmer, Maya Angelou, Public Enemy, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, and Wesley Snipes are insightful, but don't count on a truly 'intimate portrait'.

This is the CBS documentary
Dan Rather hosts a riveting and revealing odyssey that traces the life and times of the most charismatic and controversial leader of the Civil Rights Movement. Also includes interviews with many who knew him including his widow Betty Shabazz, Quincy Jones, Dick Gregory, Andrew Young, and contemporary artists like Public Enemy, who discuss his legacy. ... Read more

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Great! But somewhat unfinished
In a prelude to the forthcoming bio-opic of his assasination film by oliver stone. This video features some great footage of Dr. King after his transformation in 1965 to the war on poverty, discrimination, and unequal distribution of wealth in this great country. Although I felt that it could of contained info and footage of James Earl Ray's confession and the Senate Commitee Hearings on his killing in 1977. But very good video

Great And Informative Piece. Very Important.
"The Assassination Of Martin Luthor King Jr." is a great documentary that presents the truth with enough evidence to back it up. The same guy who made this film also made the equally effective documentary:"The Assassination Of JFK." Both these pieces are filled withfilm, information, and intriguing narration that makes it's point clear.There is no doubt in my mind that King was killed by a conspiracy. And thatit was most likely J.Edgar Hoover. This film is effective, informative andimportant. I think it should be shown in schools all over America. This isa great film.

good
this is a very good video. i encourage each and every oneof you to veiw this video.what a mighty man king was. ... Read more

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The best television series ever made
Eyes on the Prize is certainly on of the best television programs ever made.It is absolutely riveting to watch - something really rare for documentaries.Read more

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