DVD Review: King (History Channel)

By June L. Jun 9, 2008, 16:38 GMT

Forty years after Martin Luther King\'s assassination HISTORYâ„¢ with newsman Tom Brokaw takes viewers through the extraordinary life and times of America\'s civil rights visionary. KING goes beyond the legend to portray the man the questions the myths and most importantly the relevance of Dr. King\'s message in today\'s world. Includes a rare interview with his son Martin Luther King III as well as associates from the civil rights campaigns ...more

The History Chanel has produced an excellent biographical documentary exploring the life and work of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.  Presented by newsman Tom Brokaw, carefully researched, and beautifully filmed, this DVD belongs in all collections featuring great Americans.

It is always interesting to see biographical studies of famous people who have made significant contributions to the world.  One can’t help but be curious as to what shaped their existence to make them able and desirous of their achievements. 

As in the case of Dr. King, great individuals are often not doing things for their own benefit, but to benefit others.  His was truly a life of generosity and care for his fellow man.  He saw what was right, and set out to make it happen for all people, not just himself or his race, but for everyone. 

This biography shows us his beginnings with the civil rights movement, with glimpses of his childhood and personal life which reveal more of how he came to be a force that helped change policy and shape history.

Dr. King was still in his 20’s when he became the name and the face associated with the civil rights movement.  Displaying much wisdom and restraint for one so young, it is no surprise that Dr. King was highly influenced by the words and work of Ghandi.  He followed Ghandi’s idea of peaceful protest as a method of bringing about change. 

What started peacefully escalated into violence through fear and misunderstanding, and many innocent lives were lost in the turmoil.  One of the saddest moments is the eulogy that Dr. King delivered at the funeral of four little girls who were killed when their church was bombed by anti-civil rights protesters.

But the “I Have a Dream” speech lifts the spirits at each viewing, and truly makes us wish for the time to be at hand when all people of all races and nations can act in peace as brothers and sisters. 

King is presented on a single disc with a running time of 94 minutes.  Tom Brokaw interviews close friends and associates of Dr. King as well as family members (Martin Luther King, III and Dr. King’s sister) for personal recollections of his life.  Political leaders such as Condeleeza Rice and former President Bill Clinton add their memories and assessments of the man and his mission. 

In addition there is a second feature, a full-length documentary Voices of the Civil Rights which explores the lives of the people and their speeches that profoundly influenced the changes in both the laws and the daily lives of Americans.  

King (History Channel) is now available at Amazon. As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.