| Annotation |
In April 1963, a 34-old minister wrote a letter from behind the bars in the Birmingham jail to his fellow clergymen. "Injustice anywhrere is a threat to justice everywhere," argued Dr.Martin Luther King. "Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." The campaign to end segregation in Birmingham amrked a crucial turning point in Dr. King's life, as he embarked on a controversial, often lonely struggle to redefine and redirect the movement he had helped lead. The quest would not end until his untimely death five years later. In exploring the last few years of his life, this beautifully crafted American Experience production traces King's efforts to recast himself by embracing causes beyond the civil rights moevement, by becoming a champion of the poor and an outspoken opponent of the war in Vietnam. Tapping into a rich archive of photographs and film footage and using diaries, letters, and eyewitness accounts of fellow activists, friends, journalists, political leaders and law enforcement officials, this film brings fresh insights to King's impossible journey, his charismatic leadership and his truly remarkable impact. |
