Highest-Rated Movies about 'Civil Rights Movement', Sort by Popularity

The Vernon Johns Story (1994), The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts The Tonight Show (2020), Soundtrack for a Revolution (2009), The Best of Enemies (2019), Once Upon A Time... When We Were Colored (1995), Harriet (2019), Seberg (2019), The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021) ... Let's take a look at the ranked list of the best Civil Rights Movement movies.

#1. The Vernon Johns Story (1994)

Storyline: This biopic follows the life of Vernon Johns (James Earl Jones) -- now known as the father of the civil rights movement -- during the years he preceded Martin Luther King Jr. as minister of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Johns champions the cause of desegregation, clashing with local white authorities; the more cautious members of his own church; his wife (Mary Alice), who fears he'll lose his pulpit; and his children, who fear he will lose his life.

Plot Keywords: preacher, wife, daughter, judge, police officer, uplifting, suspenseful ...

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#3. Soundtrack for a Revolution (2009)

Storyline: Tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music - the freedom songs protesters sang on picket lines, in mass meetings, and in jail cells as they fought for justice and equality. Features new performances of the freedom songs by top artists; archival footage; and interviews with civil rights foot soldiers and leaders. Freedom songs evolved from slave chants, from the labor movement, and especially from the black church. Music enabled blacks to sing words they could not say, and it was crucial in helping the protesters as they faced down brutal aggression with dignity and non-violence. The infectious energy of the songs swept people up and empowered them to fight for their rights. This film celebrates the vitality of this music.—Anonymous

Plot Keywords: martin luther king jr., engaging, emotional, inspiring, rousing, montgomery, ala., washington, d.c. ...

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#5. Once Upon A Time... When We Were Colored (1995)

Storyline: This film relates the story of a tightly connected Afro-American community informally called Colored Town where the inhabitants live and depend on each other in a world where racist oppression is everywhere, as told by a boy called Cliff who spent his childhood there. Despite this, we see the life of the community in all its joys and sorrows, of those that live there while others decide to leave for a better life north. For those remaining, things come to a serious situation when one prominent businessman is being muscled out by a white competitor using racist intimidation. In response, the community must make the decision of whether to submit meekly like they always have, or finally fight for their rights.—Kenneth Chisholm <kchishol@execulink.com>

Plot Keywords: young boy, great-grandfather, great-grandmother, dancer, friend, tender, powerful ...

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#6. Harriet (2019)

Storyline: Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, Harriet tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.—Focus Features

Plot Keywords: freedom fighter, slave, slave trader, civil rights activist, civil rights leader, racist, cheery ...

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#9. Gospel Hill (2008)

Storyline: Gospel Hill is about haunted men, the former Sheriff of the southern town dealing with past sins, and the former civil rights worker withdrawn since the martyrdom of his father thirty years before. Their final confrontation comes when a corporation descends on the town, echoing a struggle thirty years old.—Jeff Stacy

Plot Keywords: civil rights activist, sheriff, racist, developer, doctor, lawyer, brooding ...

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