7 Historical Movies Set During The Civil Rights Movement

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Khuraijam Roger Singh
Oct 23, 2024

The Long Walk Home (1990)

Set in Montgomery, follows Odessa, an African-American woman who works for Miriam but she refuses to take the bus due to inequality. Odessa participates in the Montgomery bus boycott, so Miriam offers ride to her.

12 Years a Slave (2013)

A biographical drama film directed by Steve McQueen, an African American man who was kidnapped in Washington, D.C. by two con men and sold into slavery and put to work for 12 years before being released.

The Butler (2013)

Loosely based on the real life of Eugene Allen, who worked in the White House for decades, follows the life of Cecil Gaines, an African American who worked in the white house as a butler and served 8 presidents.

Do the Right Thing (1989)

Set in a Brooklyn neighborhood, the story is about a simmering racial tension between its African-American residents and the Italian-American owners of a local pizzeria, culminating in tragedy and violence.

Mississippi Burning (1988)

Directed by Alan Parker, the story centers on two FBI agents investigating the disappearance of three civil rights workers, who are met with hostility by the town's residents, local police, and the Ku Klux Klan.

Malcolm X (1992)

An epic biographical drama film about the African-American activist Malcolm X, follows the life of Malcolm X who starts out as a small-time gangster and after hitting rock bottom, he becomes a member of the Nation of Islam.

Selma (2014)

A historical drama film directed by Ava DuVernay the story follows a movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to ensure equal voting rights resulted in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery.

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