Like many Midwesterners, I suffer from lukewarmitis, the inability to feel passionate about anything that doesn't involve football or early John Mellencamp rockers. One of the most glaring exceptions is 1963's "I Have a Dream" speech, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s letter-perfect, pitch-perfect oratory sung in the shadows of the Lincoln Memorial. I've probably heard it 400 times, and I still get goosebumps 2 centimeters high.
TV: Martin Luther King -- he had a dream
The 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s death is the perfect opportunity to learn about his life.
April 5, 2008 at 3:48AM
"King," a documentary premiering today -- the 40th anniversary of King's assassination -- provides the opportunity for most of us to experience those chills all over again, while giving a younger generation a chance to learn more about a figure they celebrate for getting them out of school another day. For all of us, an examination of the film is as patriotic as watching fireworks on July 4th.
The History cable channel has assembled an all-star list of contributors that should appeal to different ages, including Harry Belafonte, Chuck D, Condoleezza Rice, Bono and Bill Clinton. Tom Brokaw presides as host and is much more restrained and effective here than he was in his self-indulgent special "1968," which aired earlier this year and covered some of the same territory.
But even with a running time of two hours, "King" barely scratches the surface of the great American. There are too many historical moments that must be accounted for, and the precious, personal touches -- King shooting pool while recruiting the reluctant, catching his kids as they jump off the refrigerator, into his arms -- are few and far between.
To fully understand King, dreams and all, explore some old TV specials, four of which we've recommended here. All are available on DVD. Dig back -- and get ready to feel the goosebumps.
"Eyes on the Prize" (1987): If you want to understand Christianity, you read the Bible. If you want to understand the civil rights movement, you watch this six-hour documentary series, a thorough, terrific account of the years 1954-1965 with King at center stage. A sequel covering 1965 to 1985 is also available.
"Boycott" (2001): Jeffrey Wright went from relative unknown to one of his generation's most promising actors the minute this film debuted on HBO. He's mesmerizing as a young King, thrust into the national spotlight at age 26 when he was selected to lead the Montgomery bus strike. Terrence Howard plays Ralph Abernathy. The exquisite acting makes this one of the top 10 TV movies ever made about U.S. history.
"Martin Luther King Jr: I Have a Dream" (1986): Most King documentaries only provide snippets of his most famous speech. This DVD provides it in its entirety. Buy it for your permanent collection and slide it in every time you need an inspirational boost.
"King" (1978): This miniseries attempts to capture nearly 18 years of King's career and largely succeeds thanks to powerhouse performances by Paul Winfield in the title role and Cicely Tyson as Coretta King. It's the only directorial effort from Abby Mann, the writer of "Judgment at Nuremberg" and creator of "Kojak."
njustin@startribune.com • 612-673-7431
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