Watch Revolution '67

Revolution '67 is a documentary film that sheds light on one of the most significant riots in American history, the Newark Riots of July 1967. The film is directed by Marylou Tibaldo-Bongiorno and Jerome Bongiorno, who uses archival footage, as well as interviews with several people who were involved in the events, to tell the story of how Newark became the battleground for the struggle for civil rights.

The film starts with a brief introduction to the history of Newark, New Jersey, once a thriving city with a booming economy and a diverse population. However, in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Newark, like many other cities across the United States, experienced a significant transformation. The white middle-class population began to move out of the city, while the African American community grew in numbers, leading to heightened racial tensions over housing, jobs, and police brutality.

As the film progresses, it delves into the events leading up to the riots of July 1967, including the arrest of a black taxi driver and an ensuing police brutality incident that sparked outrage among the African American community. The filmmakers highlight how the riots quickly spiraled out of control, ultimately leading to six days of upheaval, destruction, and violence.

Revolution '67 explores the root causes of the riots through the perspectives of those who lived through them, including civil rights activists, former gang members, police officers, and residents of the city. One of the critical figures in the film is the late Amiri Baraka, a renowned poet, playwright, and political activist, who was a resident of Newark at the time of the riots. Baraka provides valuable insights into the political and social climate in Newark in the 1960s, and his testimony provides a nuanced view of what sparked the riots.

The film also features commentary from other significant figures in the civil rights movement, including Tom Hayden, one of the founders of Students for a Democratic Society, who visited Newark during the riots, and Carol Glassman, an attorney who represented many of the protesters who were arrested during the riots.

Through interviews with ordinary residents of Newark who experienced the riots firsthand, Revolution '67 captures the chaos, fear, and violence that erupted during those six tumultuous days. The film also reveals how the Newark Riots had a profound impact not just on Newark but on the civil rights movement as a whole, galvanizing many activists to fight for greater equality and social justice.

What makes Revolution '67 such a compelling film is its ability to delve deep into the complexities of the Newark Riots. Through the perspectives of those who experienced and participated in the events, the film powerfully communicates the sense of desperation, anger, and frustration that led to the riots, as well as the challenges that activists faced in trying to effect meaningful social change in the aftermath.

Overall, Revolution '67 is an absorbing and thought-provoking documentary that offers a unique and compelling look at a pivotal moment in American history. Through its in-depth analysis of the Newark Riots and the civil rights movement, the film offers valuable insights into the ongoing struggle for equality and social justice in the United States.

Revolution '67 is a 2007 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.