Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest

This is the most comprehensive, detailed, and informative series of any covering the Civil Rights struggles from the early stages through the 1980's. This is a must see for any person looking to get information and insight on what the struggle for equality was like for black people in America. They compile actual footage from historical events, along with interviews with some of the people who were actually there. This series will make you go through a range of emotions as you actually feel of part of the history that you are viewing. Julian Bond, (who participated in many of these events) does a masterful job a narrating the entire series. This is one series that you must have in your collection.

"Eyes on the Prize" is an amazingly good and very thorough series about the civil rights movement in America from 1954-1965. While lots of shows have been made about this over the years, this one is the one to watch because of its length and breadth. Now I am not saying it's perfect--it could use an updating and doesn't really talk about the treatment of Black Americans before the mid-1950s and probably would have been better had it covered the late 60s...but it's still terrific. The shows are filled with lots of archival footage, interviews and nice narration. The shows are also very compelling--and well worth your time--and very educational. Great for kids and those not old enough to remember this turbulent time--a time we should all try to remember. See this one.

The late Henry Hampton, director of "Eyes on the Prize," was one of the finest human beings I've ever known. It's bittersweet to read of the licensing challenges faced by Henry's Boston company, Blackside, Inc. That might prove, however, that one cannot "keep a good man and his film down." Eighteen years ago Henry had me doing paperwork for him including transcribing the equivalent of dailies. "All Hours Typing," my Cambridge company, had other employees; but for Henry, I usurped the privilege to type, eyes on monitor, earphones on, at points where spirituals swelled up, spirits soared on screen--breath taking and moving then and now. Then to find later that Henry was one of those "still waters that ran deep"-- having been the key public information player for the broad minded Unitarian Universalist church. This documentary is not only great film making but a tribute to his memory and the Blackside team listed on IMDb plus Judy Richardson, Frank Galvin, and Josh Gordon.

The "Trivia" listing for this says that it is no longer being shown due to copyright issues, I am happy to report that they have all been resolved and it is playing on PBS again. The is a really great series and is currently being considered for inclusion in an upcoming series of community screenings and discussions sponsored by Filmmakers Collaborative, called Tracking the American Dream. This will examine the concept of economic upward mobility and the problems of this historical belief and the idea that anyone can grow up to become whatever one wants. It will focus on how mainstream images of the "ideal American life" shifted during various decades of the twentieth century.

Excellent and absolutely necessary film for anyone interested in politics and history of the United States of America. Lies are exposed, truth is said, and tears on your face are there as a sign of respect for all those who have dedicated their lives to the fight against this evil empire.

You will not feel hopeless and depressed after watching this film, as is the case with some documentaries. It empowers you, makes you believe that this war between the masters and the slaves will be won, and one day there will be a true slave-less society.

However, if you are easily offended by the people who don't share your exact world view than you should not watch this.