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10 Great Civil Rights Films

By Noelle Buffam · August 9, 2011

In American, we must remember that every man is born with certain inalienable rights – the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Civil rights help define that proclamation by ensuring a person’s physical integrity, safety, and well being. They protect a person from discrimination in all forms, whether it’s gender, religion, race, sexual orientation, or disability.

Furthermore, civil rights protect the individual by protecting a person’s freedom of thought and conscience, expression, speech, and even the freedom of the press. With such a weighty task, it’s no wonder that civil rights are such an explored topic in film.

The topic of civil rights is about as dramatic as it gets, and it’s in the struggle that comes with obtaining civil rights that we see the darkest moments of mankind. And while we have countless examples of ugliness to show for this struggle, the search for civil rights can bring out the best in human beings. After all, some of the greatest people to have ever lived were leaders of civil rights movements.

Some of the best civil rights films chronicle the lives of such leaders, while others take a look at the movements themselves. Some handle the issues associated with civil rights with humor (think Blazing Saddles or Hairspray), while others create a family-friendly story (Remember the Titans). Yet, the most common type of civil rights film has a somber tone and is based in real-life occurrences.

Below are 10 Great Civil Rights Films. They cover every category from women’s rights, to the freedom of the press, to the discrimination of physical appearance. Each of these movies is an example of how a film can do more than just entertain – it can pay tribute, teach, and inspire.

10. Erin Brockovich (2000)

In this biographical film, Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts) is a single mother of three children. Her life is changed when she leads a legal fight against US West Coast energy corporation Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Not only does the film deal with the civil issue of safety (contaminated ground water in a rural community), but it also portrays gender discrimination. Erin Brockovich is an attractive woman. She wears revealing clothing, and is the stereotype of a “single mother” cougar. However, Brockovich refuses to conform to meet other’s expectations. She delves head first into the stereotypes thrown at her, and breaks right through them. Though no one in the film views her as a “professional woman”, she proves everyone wrong. Brockovich brings down the mega-company when no one else can. The Los Angeles Times describes the film as an “irresistible, hugely satisfying feminist fairy tale.” But it’s no fairy tale; it’s true. Erin Brockovich is a testament to having courage and strength no matter your appearance, history, or life situation.

9. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

It’s a classic. Beloved around the world. To Kill a Mockingbird’s film adaption doesn’t let down. Released in the midst of the civil rights movement, the film takes a look at equality, prejudice, and the importance of courage under fire. Six-year-old Scout (Mary Badham) and her 12-year-old brother, Jem (Phillip Alford), are brought out of an era of innocence when their father Atticus (Gregory Peck) defends a black man in court. The man is Tom Robinson (Brock Peters), and he is falsely accused of raping a white woman. Racism leaves a heavy veil over the town, the innocent man in vindicated in the end. This story is great because it acknowledges the existence of both good and evil, teaches the importance of moral education, and brings to the forefront the issue of social inequality. Even better, To Kill a Mockingbird shows us all this through the eyes of children- something that makes the lessons of equality stick even that much more.

8. I am Sam (2001)

It’s probably the best thing about the film – the ability to thrust into the spotlight something that most people would rather ignore. Kristine Johnson and Jessie Nelson co-wrote the script and during the process, the pair researched adults with developmental disabilities by visiting a non-profit organization in Los Angeles (they even happened to find two actors with disabilities that they helped to incorporate as key roles in the film). The movie itself tells the story of Sam Dawson (Sean Penn), a man with the mental capacity of a 7-year old. He holds a steady job and raises his daughter by himself, but when she reaches age 7 things start to change. She holds herself back in school, trying to avoid looking smarter than her father. Soon, authorities take her away and Sam goes on a vendetta, trying to win her back in court. While the film pulls on emotional heartstrings, its true gusto lies in the subject matter. Much like the film The Elephant Man, I am Sam gives a voice to a demographic traditionally not thought to have such capabilities. As the Los Angeles Times says, it is the “most inviting and accessible film that turns upon a mental condition that most people would prefer not to think about.”

7. Good Night, and Good Luck (2005)

In this 2005 film, George Clooney directs the story of a conflict between radio and television journalist Edward R. Murrow and U.S. Senator, Joseph McCarthy. Set in 1953, the film portrays actions of the Senator in relation to the anti-Communist movement and the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. In the film, Murrow begins his crusade to bring out the truth when Milo Radulovich is being forced out of the Air Force because of his sister’s political ideals, and because his father subscribes to a Serbian newspaper. A public feud starts between McCarthy and Murrow, and McCarthy accuses him of being a communist! Not only does the film focus on media responsibility, but also on the right of the public and media to voice dissent against the government. In Roger Ebert’s words, “the movie is not really about the abuses of McCarthy, but about the process by which Murrow and his team eventually brought about his downfall.” Freedom of the press and the freedom to dissent are two of the most crucial aspects of a free nation, and Good Night, and Good Luck demonstrates that with skillful record.

6. Milk (2008)

Milk is a 2008 biographical film about the life of gay rights activist and politician Harvey Milk. He is perhaps most famous for being the first openly gay person to be elected into office in the state of California. The film begins on Milk’s (Sean Penn) 40th birthday, and chronicles his venture into city politics and political campaigns. The film also explores his personal life, focusing on his romantic endeavors, especially his complicated relationship with Scott Smith (James Franco). The film also explores his troubled relationship with Dan White (Josh Brolin), ending with White’s double homicide of Milk and Mayor George Moscone. The film’s release coincided with the 2008 California voter referendum on gay marriage, Proposition 8. Not only does the film take a look at one man’s vendetta against discrimination, but it aimed to make substantial change in current society. While Proposition 8 passed, Milk’s legacy lives on as inspiration from not only the gay community, but the American public in large.

5. American History X (1998)

American History X tells the story of two brothers, Derek Vinyard (Edward Norton) and Danny Vinyard (Edward Furlong). After their father is murdered by a black drug dealer, Derek begins associating within the neo-Nazi movement. One night, two black men break into the truck that Derek’s father left him. He goes unhinged, brutally killing both men. Sentenced to three years in prison, his experience in jail drastically changes his views. He tries to prevent Danny from going down the same road, but to no avail. A very dark film, and one of the only on this list not based on a true story, American History X shows the journey of one man changing for the better. While he can’t save his brother, the ultimate message is one of equality. The film ends with Danny narrating part of his paper. He quotes the conclusion of Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural address, “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

4. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence (1962)

Never before and never again has there been a western that delves into issues like civil rights, democracy, gender issues, and the right to an education like The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Directed by John Ford, the film stars Jimmy Stewart and ‘The Duke’ himself, John Wayne. Senator Ransom Stoddard (Stewart) returns home to Shinbone for the funeral of Tom Doniphon (Wayne). It is here where he recounts the story of his life in the town to a local newspaper editor. Many years before, Stoddard came to the town as a lawyer. He went to work in the town as a cook, but his work wasn’t finished there. He bettered the community by instilling a sense of democracy and empowerment – something that was hard to do with the hell-raiser, Liberty Valance (Lee Marvin), around. When the Shinbone territory became a candidate for statehood, Stoddard was elected over Valance. Now even more out of control, Valance terrorized the town until Stoddard called him out in a western-style shoot-out. The film is great because Stoddard spends his entire time in Shinbone establishing the basic necessities needed for the preservation of civil rights, fighting for the townspeople. Even more so, Stoddard knows that with the right system in place, justice will prevail in the end.

3. Malcolm X (1992)

Winning the award for the most controversial film on the list is Malcolm X... or perhaps it should be the most controversial person on the list. The film is the 1992 biographical tale of Malcolm X, a famous African American leader. Born Malcolm Little, X’s father was killed by the Ku Klux Klan. The young man grew up to be a gangster, but while in jail discovered the Nation of Islam. It is on a pilgrimage to Mecca that Malcolm turns to the more traditional form of Islam, and he becomes a Sunni Muslim. Malcolm then re-evaluates his anti-white teachings. However, on December 21, 1965, Malcolm X is assassinated and dies a martyr. Directed, co-written, and co-produced by Spike Lee, the film has cameo appearances by Al Sharpton and Nelson Mandela. Not only is the film a look into the struggle of racism, but it also showcases the intricate and controversial life of an individual man.

2. Ghandi (1982)

He’s right up there with Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Yes, Mohandas Karamchand Ghandi is one of the most famous civil rights leaders history has seen. And lucky for us, his story was captured in the 1982 biographical film, Ghandi. Directed by Richard Attenborough, the film won eight Academy Awards in total, and still is hailed as one of the best biographical movies of all time. The film opens at Ghandi’s funeral, after he has been assassinated. It then jumps back in time and shows the formation and development of Ghandi’s non-violent resistance movement against British colonial rule in India during the early 20th century. And though the film opens with a funeral, it leaves the audience with a sense of inspiration and hope. The last line sums it up perfectly with a quote from Ghandi, “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it–always.” Ghandi is a great film because, like the man, it shows that strength against oppression can be found in the most unlikely places.

1. Mississippi Burning (1988)

Mississippi Burning is perhaps the most famous film about the civil rights movement in the 60s. The film is a crime-drama that is loosely based on the real-life murders of three civil rights workers in 1964 in Mississippi. The film chronicles two fictional FBI agents, Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe) and Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman), as they try to discover the truth while investigating the murders. The backdrop of the civil rights struggle is perpetuated by the relationship between Ward and Anderson. Ward is a young liberal from the north, and he takes the “direct approach” with the investigation. Anderson, however, is a former Mississippi Sheriff, and quite familiar with the intricacies of race relations in the south. Critically acclaimed, the film was nominated for 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Perhaps the most important legacy of the film is its accurate portrayal of life in the south during the civil rights movement. It was a volatile time in American History, and Mississippi Burning captures that with it’s many complexities. In a sense, Mississippi Burning embodies what civil rights are all about: having the freedom to pursue the truth, and having the right your life free from persecution.

Read More: Best Movies About the Civil Rights Movement