Martin Luther King Jr. documentary to be screened in Nevins Theater Jan. 27

Angie Taylor, Chief Diversity Officer, Student Experience, calls the event “A celebration of Dr. King’s commitment to justice, equality and peace and a powerful film that reflects the spirit of Dr. King's work and vision. This is an opportunity to come together as a community to reflect on his impact and engage in meaningful dialogue.”

The documentary was produced in 1970 and released initially in only 500 theaters on a one-time-only basis. Following that screening, it was nominated for a Best Documentary Academy Award, then was seen only occasionally on commercial television. It was released for a short time in a home video format, but then was virtually unavailable until 2010, when it was re-released in DVD format under new ownership.

The film follows King in his rise from regional activist to world-renowned leader of the Civil Rights movement. Rare footage of King’s speeches, protests, and arrests are interspersed with scenes of supporters and opponents, punctuated by heartfelt testimonials by significant, well-known individuals.

King: A Filmed Record - Montgomery to Memphis was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in its Nation Film Registry.