i've been looking forward to seeing this film for a while now
most mentioned as mostly ignored by the academy awards people
with a suggestion that the white dominated academy not in the mood
gave 12 years a slave the gong a while back - you people want more?
apart from that a bio-pic of a famous man in a famous time is appealing
martin luther king (david oyelowo) seen preparing an acceptance speech
also hesitantly putting on a tie with his dress suit - wife coretta reassuring
then a scene as he is awarded the nobel peace prize at a ceremony in oslo
looking good - first impression is this film is going to do the man justice
some children then seen laughing and talking as they descend a staircase
and bang - a loud explosion - seriously frightening - a church destroyed
we then see a negro lady very slowly and meticulously filling out a form
she approaches a counter and hands the form to a perfunctory white chap
recite the preamble to the constitution he demands - to which she complies
he interrupts - how many county judges in alabama - 67 - the correct reply
clearly attempting to trip her up his next question does that - name them
the main man mlk is seen in discussion with his peers in the srlc group
southern religious leaders conference - they abhorred by the bombing
racially motivated no doubt - they also discuss the difficulty in voting
as seen - the deliberate denial of voting rights via registration trickery
mlk then seen in the oval office with lbj - he played by tom wilkinson
clear mutual respect in place as mlk pushes the president to take action
legislation required to allow unencumbered national voting for blacks
totally absorbing - superb acting - great script - stunning camera work
so authentic looking - the fashions, the cars, the furniture - everything
edgar j hoover makes an appearance with lbj - creepy as - hates blacks
text then types up on the screen at various points indicating fbi logging
this occurs as mlk is seen at home or at various meetings with the srlc
one such meeting sees a decision to crank up the action - 'selma it is'
the plan is to organise a peaceful protest where authorities are hostile
i.e. force the issue - obtain some publicity - pressurise the president
this requires time away from family for mlk - his wife coretta worried
another famous politician introduced - alabama governor george wallace
here played by tim roth and with all the expected right-wing invective
we are then treated to totally gripping cinema of the subsequent events
a large group of mlk followers outside the selma town hall to register
the local sheriff determined to break up the group - palpable tension
some violent scenes follow culminating in a police chase and shooting
this brings attention as desired from the media, politicians and people
next - a plan to march the fifty miles from selma to the state capital
this through southern redneck territory and considered highly risky
but they persist - and brutally repressed at the bridge outside selma
they go again - but at the first sign of hostility - a prayer and turnback
mlk then drawing criticism from his own supporters for backing down
but mlk has it thought out - next time they are allowed to pass - victory
some stunning footage then of actual photographs of this historic event
set to a recognised piece of music from fink - 'where do we go from here'
the credits roll and with it a roll-call of the actors and their characters
lbj - introduced the required legislation - wallace - shot and paralyzed
malcolm x - shot - andrew young and others - now or past congressmen
coretta king - never remarried and tirelessly keeping mlk's legacy alive
famous actor - ophrah winfrey - barely recognised in the film - good
she and brad pitt also listed as executive producers - he the man
cannot recommend this film highly enough - just superbly done
one for every follower or student of history to see and admire
hope it gets an oscar - but up against - ahem - american sniper
a stark reminder - in 1965 it all looked so promising
but now - yikes - even with a black president
the u s of a still at war with minority groups...
