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More than half-a-century following Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s death, AMC Theatres has decided to honor the late reverend with free showings of the 1970 documentary, King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis.
According to Business Wire, to commemorate the 51st anniversary of King’s death, on April 4, AMC Theatres will be honoring the late civil rights leader by re-releasing the little-known documentary at 100 locations across the country. the three-hour film will be available for viewing at participating AMC theaters for viewing at 6pm, on a first come, first served basis.
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Back in 1970, the Oscar-nominated, King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis was released as a “one-time only” theatrical premiere. 29 years later, it would be selected by the Library of Congress to be preserved and included in the National Film Registry in 1999. In 2013, the film was re-released with Gathr Films and Kino Lorber, but with little to no nationwide publicity.
This documentary presents key events in the life of King, beginning with the 1955 bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama. The production then follows King through major struggles and pivotal moments in his activism to promote racial equality. Footage in the Sidney Lumet and Joseph L. Mankiewicz-directed film includes clips of King’s speeches, as well as commentary and narration by Hollywood icons Harry Belafonte, James Earl Jones, and the late Paul Newman.
In addition to the screening, AMC will be financially supporting the work of the King Center, which would help allow 1,000 students to participate in the Students with King program, which provides grade school students the chance to learn more about the King family legacy, including the works of King himself, and the activism of his wife, the late Coretta Scott King, as well.
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Those interested in watching the free screening can obtain their complimentary ticket at the box office of participating AMC theaters, or reserve tickets in advance online.