Citizen King

In April 1963, a 34-year-old minister wrote a letter from behind bars in the Birmingham jail to his fellow clergymen. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," argued Dr. Martin Luther King. "Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly." The campaign to end segregation in Birmingham marked a crucial turning point in Dr. King's life, as he embarked on a controversial, often lonely struggle to redefine and redirect the movement he had helped lead. The quest would not end until his untimely death five years later.

In exploring the last few years of his life, this beautifully crafted AMERICAN EXPERIENCE production traces King's efforts to recast himself by embracing causes beyond the civil rights movement, by becoming a champion of the poor and an outspoken opponent of the war in Vietnam. Tapping into a rich archive of photographs and film footage and using diaries, letters, and eyewitness accounts of fellow activists, friends, journalists, political leaders and law enforcement officials, this film brings fresh insights to King's impossible journey, his charismatic leadership and his truly remarkable impact.

I first saw this documentary on PBS on MLK Jr. Day, 2004.  Citizen King contained lots of footage of Dr. King that I had not seen before. I especially like how the film focuses on Martin's last years and shows his growing concern for the triple evils: poverty, racism, and war.