For Love of Liberty: The Story of America’s Black Patriots 2010
Distributed by For Love of Librty
Produced by Frank Martin
Directed by Frank Martin
DVD, color and b&w, 9 hours
Sr. High-Adult
African American Studies, History, Human Rights, Military Studies
Date Entered: 01/31/2011
Reviewed by Eugenia Abbey, Georgia Perimeter CollegeThis important and gripping documentary chronicles the long history of sacrifice by black American patriots in defense of their country, from Crispus Attucks who fell in 1770 at the Boston Massacre, the first person to be killed in what would become the American Revolution, to the present, in the face of powerful and persistent racism and bigotry. It was only in the 1950s during the Korean War that African American troops began to be treated with the dignity and fairness they deserved. Even so their contributions have been largely ignored, often omitted from history books, giving the impression that the United States military was predominately white, if not all white. This outstanding production seeks to at least begin to correct the record. Fully documented with letters, diaries, speeches, journalistic accounts, news reel footage, military records and vintage paintings and photographs, the scholarship behind this 10-year effort is apparent, making it a film that will undoubtedly be used extensively in the classroom. Technical quality is superb. The film is made available in several formats, making it accessible to both high school and college audiences. It is essential for all libraries, high school through college and university as well as public.
Awards
- Best of Show, 2010 National Media Market
- American Public Television’s Programming Excellence Award for 2010
- 2010 winner, Gold Medal for Excellence in Film Music, Park City Music and Film Festival