MLK: The Assassination Tapes

MLK: The Assassination Tapes (2012)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Taking a cue from the documentary film JFK: 3 SHOTS THAT CHANGED America, this film tells the story of Martin Luther King's assassination through TV clips, radio broadcasts, recorded police communications and other items from the actually time of the events. Instead of interviewing historians on the event, the film is presented through the news items and edited together to give one a complete idea of what was going on in America during this period and the events leading up to the assassination and the eventual aftermath. We start off hearing about why King originally went to Memphis and then we get to hear chilling broadcasts of his assassination including some police reports that happens minutes after the shots. From here we see the aftermath of what would happen including a march that King's widow would attend a short time later. There's no question that this is an excellent documentary that history buffs are going to enjoy. As with the JFK documentary, the most fascinating stuff is just being able to see these original news items that were used to tell people what happened back in the day. Even hearing them after all of these years sends a cold chill up your spine and I think these are important documents for future generations so that they can see what was going on in the country during this era. At just under a hour the film does a very good job at delivering all of this information and comes highly recommended.

This documentary looks at Martin Luther King's assassination. But unlike most similar films it does so by only using primary source material from the time such as TV clips and police radio broadcasts. There is no analysis from present day historians nor are there recollections from people who were there when it happened. All material used is from the time. In this way MLK: The Assassination Tapes is a very pure piece of historical documentation. By adopting this approach, of course, it limits itself. Certain points and areas could be covered better if the film-makers allowed themselves to look back on the events and look at things from the present day perspective. But at the end of the day this is simply not that kind of documentary and it's purity of content is what makes it what it is. The footage, stills and audio all come from the period covering the events that led King to visit Memphis in the first place, his subsequent assassination, the mourning that followed and the eventual capture of his killer. The late 60's was a monumentally interesting and exciting time in American history and this is one of the major events of that time. It should appeal to those with an interest in American history of the period.

It can be perceived as blank because the debates are absent, the opinions of historians an politicians are absent. Images, reactions of media, interviews, speeches and, more important, precise definition of the context of assassination. Brute sources about a tragical event. But its obvious purpoise is to inform the large public and it did that in real correct manner.