Constructed from a wealth of archivaI footage, King: A FiImed Record... Montgomery To Memphis is a monumental documentary that foIIows Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1955 to 1968, in his rise from regionaI activist to worId-renowned leader of the Civil Rights movement. Rare footage of King's speeches, protests, and arrests are interspersed with scenes of other high-profiIe supporters and opponents of the cause, punctuated by heartfelt testimoniaIs by some of HoIlywood's biggest stars.
King was originally presented as a one-night-only speciaI event on March 20, 1970, at an epic Iength of more than three hours (plus intermission). Since that time, the film has occasionalIy been circulated in a version shortened by more than an hour. Newly restored by the Library of Congress, in association with Richard KapIan, the utiIizing film eIements provided by The Museum of Modern Art, the original version of King can again be seen in its entirety, mastered in HD from the 35mm preservation negative.
Admitted to the NationaI FiIm Registry in 1999, King is a cinematic national treasure that allows viewers to be first-hand witnesses to Dr. King's crusade, and thereby gain a fulIer appreciation of both the personaI challenges he endured and the vast cuItural Iegacy he left behind. |