Watch A Huey P. Newton Story

A Huey P. Newton Story is a powerful and thought-provoking film that tells the story of the legendary Black Panther Party leader Huey P. Newton. Directed by Spike Lee, the movie stars Roger Guenveur Smith as Huey P. Newton himself, along with Rahum Brown and Georgina Ransley. The film is a one-man show, with Smith delivering a riveting and captivating performance as Newton. Smith's portrayal is both intimate and intense, as he brings a great deal of passion and emotion to the character. The movie is structured as a monologue, with Smith delivering a series of speeches and rants from Newton's perspective. The structure of the film is designed to allow the character to speak directly to the audience, giving them an unfiltered, uncensored view of Newton's ideas and beliefs.

Throughout the film, Smith vividly portrays the character of Huey P. Newton, taking his audience through a journey of his life, from his early days growing up in poverty in Oakland, California, to his later years as a radical social activist, devoted to his cause. The film uses Newton's own words and writings to tell his life story, with Smith lending his considerable talent and charisma to bring the character to life.

A Huey P. Newton Story is not just a biographical film, but a social and political commentary on the state of America at the time. The film explores the themes of racism, injustice, and inequality, all of which were dominant issues during the 1960s and 1970s. Through Newton's speeches, Smith delivers powerful messages about the importance of unity, self-determination, and the struggle for social justice.

The movie is shot in a minimalist style, with simple lighting and staging that allows Smith's performance to take center stage. The focus of the film is on the power of the spoken word, with Newton's speeches providing the narrative thread that ties everything together. The film doesn't rely on flashy visuals or special effects, but on the strength of the writing and the performance.

In addition to Smith's performance, the film also features impressive supporting performances from Brown and Ransley. Brown portrays various characters throughout the film, including a police officer, a reporter, and a Black Panther Party member. Ransley plays the role of the stage manager, providing the occasional interjection to keep the performance on track.

Overall, A Huey P. Newton Story is a powerful and moving film that is both informative and entertaining. Smith's performance is outstanding, and the film is a testament to the power of the spoken word. Through Newton's speeches, the film delivers a powerful message about the importance of social justice and the struggle for equality, which is just as relevant today as it was when the Black Panther Party was founded more than 50 years ago.

A Huey P. Newton Story is a 2001 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 78.