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.