The March

(*Martin Luther King quote*) - "I have a dream."

If you are at all interested in knowing about the American Civil Rights Movement as it clearly stood (on shaky ground) in the early 1960s, then this first-rate, PBS documentary called "The March" will certainly be worth your while to watch.

Featuring plenty of excellent archival footage, along with interviews with those involved - "The March" carefully chronicles the events that inevitably led up to (what is considered to be) one of the greatest marches for racial equality in American history.

It was on August 28, 1963 that over 200,000 people (black & white) peacefully showed up in droves in Washington, DC (from many states) in order to be part of this powerfully moving, historical event.

"The March" is actually quite an interesting history-documentary that tells the viewer how, on August 28, 1963, a mass congregation of over 250,000 people in Washington, DC became a direct catalyst for the passing of the Civil Rights Act in America.

Though there was some fierce opposition from the U.S. government to this march - It's an event that proved to be the beginnings of the legacy of freedom for all American citizens (regardless of their race, creed, or color).

Here is a documentary that tells the story of the defiance of discrimination and that victory, as it is recounted by the people who made it happen and to those whose lives it changed forever.

Featuring some superb vintage, newsreel footage - This program has a 60-minute running time.

Made on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington (itself held on the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation) - this one hour film is a tremendously intelligent detailed and moving exploration of what led up to that march - the planning, the controversies, the personalities, the compromises, the politics, the passion - that culminated in Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech -- one of the rare pieces of oratory that helped change the very course of history.

But while most of us know King's speech, and it's powerful effect on America, few, myself included know the history of how the march came together, and the many other heroes besides King - from famous leaders to simple office staffers - who gave so much to help make it happen.

Director Akomfrah (a long under known and undervalued film-maker) does a terrific job combining archival footage (much of which was new to me), very nicely shot modern reminiscences of those who were there and part of making that day happen, and beautiful images that aren't so much 're-creations' as poetic capturings of the spirit of those people and that moment (a tremendously striking shot of a seagull soaring free amidst the towers of a modern city sticks in my mind).

A wonderful educational piece for younger people who might not know about "The March" and it's impact, but with a great deal to offer even those of us old enough to grow up with memories from that time. I didn't realize how much I didn't know, and that's one of the best things you can say about any historical documentary.