Watch Black Klansman
- 1966
- 1 hr 28 min
Black Klansman is a dramatic movie directed by Ted Flicker and released in 1966. The movie, starring Richard Gilden, Rima Kutner, Harry Lovejoy, and a host of other actors, is set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States during the 1960s. The plot of the movie centers on Richard (played by Richard Gilden), a young African-American man who decides to infiltrate the Ku Klux Klan to gather information that could help the police foil their criminal activities. The storyline is based on the true story of a black Colorado Springs police officer named Ron Stallworth, who did exactly this in the 1970s.
Richard begins his journey by posing as a white man over the phone in order to gain the trust of the Klan members. He succeeds in building a rapport with them and even manages to get invited to meet them in person. However, he cannot personally attend the meetings, so he recruits Flip (played by Harry Lovejoy), a Jewish police officer who is part of his undercover team, to attend these meetings on his behalf.
Flip quickly establishes himself as a committed Klan member, even impressing the local Klan leader with a particularly virulent speech. This allows Richard and the team to gain deeper insight into the Klan's activities and plans, enabling them to thwart their criminal activities on multiple occasions.
Meanwhile, Richard also becomes romantically involved with a woman named Jean (played by Rima Kutner), who is initially unaware of his mission but eventually discovers the truth about his covert operations. Despite initial reservations, Jean is able to accept Richard for who he is and even supports him in his mission to bring down the Klan.
The climax of the movie centers around a rally organized by the Klan that is attended by prominent politicians and other dignitaries. Richard and his team work tirelessly to foil the Klan's plans to attack the rally and succeed in doing so, thereby preventing a potential disaster.
Black Klansman is a riveting movie that offers a rare insight into the workings of the Ku Klux Klan and the lengths that people will go to in order to bring down hate groups. The acting is top-notch, with Richard Gilden in particular turning in a memorable performance as the determined police officer who risks his life to infiltrate the Klan.
The movie is also notable for its searing commentary on racism and discrimination in America. Through subtle dialogue and thought-provoking scenes, the movie highlights the staggering injustice that African Americans experienced during this period, and the bravery it took to stand up to it.
Overall, Black Klansman is a powerful film that is both entertaining and educational. It offers an important glimpse into a dark chapter in American history and emphasizes the importance of tolerance, acceptance, and understanding in the face of hatred and bigotry.