Henry Hampton’s definitive and acclaimed documentary series chronicles the civil rights era from the point of view of the ordinary men and women whose extraordinary actions helped alter the fabric of American life. Hampton presents a massive collection of archival footage as well as in-depth interviews which provide unprecedented access into the history of this period. Winner of numerous Emmy Awards, a George Foster Peabody Award, and an International Documentary Award, Eyes on the Prize is our most comprehensive filmic record of the civil rights movement.  We will screen two episodes which follow Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. from his most famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech delivered during the March on Washington to the passing of the Voting Rights Act.

No Easy Walk (1961-1963)

The civil rights movement discovers the power of mass demonstrations and media coverage as the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. emerges as its most visible leader. Some demonstrations succeed while others fail, but the triumphant March on Washington, D.C. under King’s leadership demonstrates mounting national support for civil rights. President John F. Kennedy proposes the Civil Rights Act.

Bridge to Freedom (1965)

A decade of lessons is applied in the climactic and bloody march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. The emerging Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and established Southern Christian Leadership Conference, led by King, begin to distinguish their respective strategies as the former questions the practice of nonviolence. A major victory is won when the federal Voting Rights Bill passes, but civil rights leaders know new challenges lay ahead.