This is a truly great documentary -- the American equivalent of The Sorrow and the Pity in terms of its historical significance -- and it's been unavailable in any public or commercial form since the mid-90s, one of the most high-profile victims of the new copyright laws. Last year several groups organized public viewings to protest this state of affairs. Perhaps because of that, it seems that foundations, donors and investors have been induced to cough up the $500,000 necessary to re-clear the permissions. Even if you hate film and only read books you should watch this because it is so full of historical primary sources on what might be the major turning point in modern American history. And at least as I remember it from 2 decades ago, it was pretty engrossing too. Each Monday broadcast contains 2 of the 6 1-hour episodes in order.
Michael
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News from American Experience http://www.pbs.org/amex
**** In this issue: - AMERICAN EXPERIENCE presents Blackside's EYES ON THE PRIZE - EYES ON THE PRIZE Online - Podcast: AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Stories to Go
**** EYES ON THE PRIZE Mondays, October 2, 9 and 16 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings)
"required watching" -- New York Magazine
"indispensable" -- Time
EYES ON THE PRIZE is an award-winning 14-hour television series produced by Blackside and narrated by Julian Bond. Through contemporary interviews and historical footage, the series covers all of the major events of the civil rights movement from 1954-1985. Series topics range from the Montgomery bus boycott in 1954 to the Voting Rights Act in 1965; from community power in schools to "Black Power" in the streets; from early acts of individual courage through to the flowering of a mass movement and its eventual split into factions.
When EYES ON THE PRIZE premiered in 1987, The New York Times called it "superbly crafted... the nobility of America's civil-rights struggle comes through with the directness of a spiritual...." The series went on to win six Emmys and numerous other awards, including an Academy Award nomination, the George Foster Peabody Award, and the top duPont-Columbia award for excellence in broadcast journalism.
**** EYES ON THE PRIZE Online
Follow the Movement http://pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eyesontheprize/story/index.html
EYES ON THE PRIZE presents 25 of the major events of the Civil Rights Movement, from Emmett Till's murder in 1955 to the election of Harold Washington as Chicago's first black mayor in 1983. Screen historic footage of these events, listen to freedom songs, read newspaper headlines, see photo galleries, and more as you follow the story of America's Civil Rights Movement.
Profiles http://pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eyesontheprize/profiles/index.html
Read profiles of people and groups who were integral to the Civil Rights Movement.
Share Your Views http://pbs.org/wgbh/amex/eyesontheprize/share/index.html
Do you have memories or family stories of the civil rights movement? Who is your personal hero in the fight for civil rights? And what do you think are the biggest issues in civil or human rights today? Read some other individuals' reflections -- and share your own comments here.
****************** Podcast: AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Stories (and video!) to Go http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/podcasts.html
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