Selma

This movie is based on the march between Selma and Montgomery, Alabama in 1965 to draw attention to the fact that Black Americans did not have the same rights to vote as did White Americans.  Selma stars David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr who was leading the crusade. 

Dr. King had been lobbying President Lyndon Johnson, played by Tom Wilkinson, to change the law forcing the states to allow equal voting rights.  Alabama’s governor, George Wallace, (Tim Roth) was very prejudiced and was bound and determined that Black Americans were not equal and did not warrant equal treatment.

The movie starts out with the bombing of a church that kills four young black girls showing some of the injustice that was being shown the black community.  It then shows Annie Lee Cooper, who was played by Oprah Winfrey, attempting to register to vote and being denied. 

This movie does a great job of showing some of the appalling cruelty shown Black Americans in those days and their fight for equality.  I thought this movie had spectacular acting. David Oyelowo should have been nominated for an Oscar in this role but for some reason was not.  The movie however was nominated for best picture.    I gave this movie 4 out of 4 stars.