Watch By the People: The Election of Barack Obama

By the People: The Election of Barack Obama is a documentary film that chronicles the historic 2008 United States Presidential election. The film takes an inside look at the grassroots movement that helped propel Barack Obama from a relatively unknown Senator from Illinois to the first African American President of the United States.

Directed by Amy Rice and Alicia Sams, the film begins in early 2007, when Barack Obama announced his candidacy for President. The filmmakers follow Obama from his early campaign appearances in Iowa and New Hampshire to his eventual victory over Republican nominee John McCain in November 2008.

The film uses a combination of behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with campaign staffers and volunteers, and footage from Obama's campaign rallies and speeches to provide a comprehensive look at the 2008 election. The filmmakers also explore some of the key issues of the campaign, including the economy, healthcare, and the war in Iraq.

One of the strengths of the film is its focus on the volunteers and grassroots organizers who helped power the Obama campaign. The filmmakers interview a range of volunteers, including college students, retirees, and first-time voters, who were inspired by Obama’s message of hope and change. The film also highlights the role of social media in the campaign, showing how the Obama campaign used Facebook, Twitter, and other online tools to mobilize supporters and raise money.

The film also provides a look at the obstacles that the Obama campaign had to overcome, including early defeats in primary states like New Hampshire and the controversial comments made by Obama's former pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright. The film gives a sense of how the Obama campaign responded to these challenges, with the candidate speaking candidly about his faith and race relations in a widely praised speech in Philadelphia.

Throughout the film, the audience is reminded of the historic nature of Obama's candidacy. The filmmakers include footage of civil rights leaders like John Lewis, Andrew Young, and Jesse Jackson endorsing the candidate, as well as interviews with members of the African American community who saw Obama's election as a major milestone.

The film also provides a look at some of the key players in the Obama campaign, including David Axelrod, Obama's chief strategist, and Rahm Emanuel, who would later become Obama's Chief of Staff. The filmmakers interview these insiders, providing insights into the inner workings of the campaign and the personalities of the key players.

Overall, By the People: The Election of Barack Obama is a compelling documentary that provides a well-rounded look at the historic 2008 election. The film captures the excitement and energy of the Obama campaign, while also exploring some of the challenges and obstacles that the campaign had to overcome.

By the People: The Election of Barack Obama is a 2009 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.