Does anyone have any recollections of when this originally aired it 1978? On what nights did the three episodes air, did they just start each episode fresh or provide a "recap" for the first two installments?
The VHS I have is seamless, and I can't tell where one episode ends and the next begins. I can't even tell where the commercial breaks were. This TV movie feels quite a bit like a theatrical film.
I watched this movie when it originally aired in '78 when I was 16. I recall that it was a 3-part TV series that started on a Sunday night and ended on Tuesday. And yes, each of the last two installments was prefaced with a recap of the preceding installment. Also, previews of the subsequent installments were featured at the end of the first two episodes of the mini-series.
I do remember too that when this movie originally aired it was a disappointment. Many, myself included, didn't like the movie's portrayal of MLK. The movie made him look like a somewhat confused and neurotic man.
Thanks for your recollections. This film certainly isn't perfect and borders on a soap opera at times, and I can see MLK supporters being disappointed by his depiction here.
shareYou mean he was portrayed as human? Doesn't that make his accomplishments even more astounding? Instead of some comic-book stick figure, a real man, with rail frailties and shortcomings, managed to get so much done in so little time.
shareTo portray King as a human being is one thing, but to make him look weak-minded and confused throughout an entire movie--as he was in this movie--is something else altogether.
Assuming you haven't done so already, you should see the recently released movie "Selma." Compare the portrayal of MLK in this movie, which I thought was excellent, to "King" and you'll see what I mean.
I was 12 when this aired and did not watch it. It's airing on Monday, MLK Day, and I'm going to record it and watch later.
I have seen the ending, or his assassination depicted here, years ago when this aired.
The movie reunited Paul Winfield and Cicely Tyson, the first black man and woman nominated for the same movie, Sounder, six years earlier.
I recall reviews of a King depiction in which he is arguing with someone and they are afraid and he reaches in a drawer, takes out a pistol, and hands it to them, saying they can use his gun.
Those who knew King said he never owned a gun, that this was something done for the movie, so clearly it does have a lot of embellishment.
And I'm suspecting this is going to be that movie.
It's been a few years since I've watched this, but I believe this is indeed that movie.
shareI first seen this movie my freshmen year of high school in 2003 and found out that WWOR-TV show it every year for Dr. King's birthday weekend 2 hours on Saturday and 2 hours on Sunday. I think I've only seen this movie on BET but one time, let's hear it for the black networks......😝
Here is a promo clip from when it aired on NBC in 1978.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=o23NHQyHLFk
My job is to inform, not persuade- Dan Rather
Thanks for the promo clip.
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