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Deacons for Defense
Inspired by a true story, this drama is set in 1965, not long after passage of the Civil Rights Act. Despite the Act, the African-American citizens of Bogalusa are still treated like third-class citizens, their fundamental rights as human beings persistently trampled by the white power structure, in general, and the local branch of the KKK. The story follows the formation of local black men, particularly ex-war veterans who after the struggles become too overbearing organizes the group, "Deacons for defense", an all-black defense group dedicated to patrolling the black section of town and protecting its residents from the more violent aspects of "white backlash."
Release : | 2003 |
Rating : | 7 |
Studio : | RHI Entertainment, |
Crew : | Production Design, Director of Photography, |
Cast : | Forest Whitaker Jonathan Silverman Chris Britton Ossie Davis Tyrone Benskin |
Genre : | Drama |
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Rating: 7.2
Reviews
Such a frustrating disappointment
Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.
This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.
There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
Nothing outstanding or special about this movie really. In itself there is nothing wrong with its good and powerful, intriguing story but the way it all gets brought the screen isn't the best or most effective way.It's a made for TV movie, so of course it visually and technically never gets an impressive one to look at. Luckilly it still has some elements to compensate for this, such as the story but also some fine acting by well known actors who make their appearance in this movie. Forest Whitaker looks quite ridicules in his role but at least he really knows how to act and how to play his character.However the way Forest Whitaker looks in this is unfortunately not the only ridicules aspect about this movie. Even though the story in itself is good, it doesn't always have a good flow to it. It also doesn't always progress very convincing. For instance, the one moment the Forest Whitaker is against all action and involvement with the human right group, in the '60's, who fight for the rights of the colored but the next he does not only gets voted leader, he is the one that screams the hardest, fights the toughest and he is willing to risk everything, even though at first he was incredibly protective and kept himself to the background. Not very convincing. Also quite ridicules how all of the KKK-people get portrayed as evil James Bond-type of villains. On top of that, the colored people get all portrayed as soft-spoken, friendly cat loving people to help to make the contrast of good and evil within this movie even bigger. It doesn't really work too well for any of the movie its realism.I really like Bill Duke as an actor and I will love him always for some of his movies ("Commando", "Predator") but it seems that he still has a lot to learn as a director.It's a shame, since the movie itself is trying to tell a real good and intriguing story, that's based on true events. But the movie just doesn't make that much of an impact with it. It all got done in a very average and formulaic way. So it are not only the technical aspect that makes this seems like a very average and cheap movie but also its lacking narrative.5/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
Before I saw this picture,I had always thought blacks in general always allowed the white man to terrorize their homes,people,and neighborhoods. I even became ashamed over time of being of black descent. Reason being,I felt and thought that blacks were to frightened to even stand up for themselves the way strong,brave,and courageous people do. I even developed a disdain for the black man which in turn made me a serious threat towards any white with violent intentions towards blacks. I was a ticking time bomb for awhile.Then a friend approached me about a film he thought I would like. And I sure did. It reassured me that some,if not most blacks did in fact have the courage to stand up and defend themselves and their families. Truly a very informative film. I am not a racist,nor do I hate anyone because of skin color. But I now know I am not alone in my mindset of defend myself and loved ones at ALL costs.sincerely,Black Sicilian
Deacons for Defense is a fantastic and quiet possibly the best TV-film I've seen. Every person in the US nows the story of the Civil Rights era, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and there opposition, the Ku Klux Klan. As the peace movement spreads across the south, Bogalusa , La., the movement is lost in the Klan controlled town.As the main site for jobs, the local factory is segregated and no high positioned jobs are permitted to blacks, unless the want to die over it. Marcus Clay (Forest Whitaker) is the head of the black workers and after a close friend of his is brutally beaten by white workers competing for a job, Clay decides he has had enough. With a small band of men, Clay is able to form a small, peace keeping army to fight the Klan. As word of the deacons for defense and justice spreads, the town is thrown into madness with the destruction of the local branch of the NAACP, the brutal beating of colored school children, and all out war between the Klan and the Deacons. But as violence erupts, all Vlay now seeks to do is to end the Klan ruling the town. With the help NAACP worker Michael Deane (Jonathan Silverman), Clay must now fight the powerful Klan and try to avoid the Deacons from turning into exactly what they're fighting against, racial controllers.The film is mostly drama with violence erupting here and there with a great stand off at the end between the deacons and the Klan. The film is based on actual people and actual events that occurred in the summer of '64. The film hits many levels of dealing with equality, racism, and hate. I couldn't think of anyone better for the role of Marcus Clay then Forest Whitaker. Instead of the producers trying to get such big name actors as Will Smith or Denzel Washington, the company got little remembered Forest Whitaker. His performance is unforgettable, with the idea of fighting racism and having to keep his own men from committing senseless violence against whites.The only fault and I do say the only fault is the use of Jonathan Silverman as the NAACP worker. I felt that he was a bit to bland and not enough depth and character to him. Other than him the acting is fantastic, the story is superb, and the overall presentation is incredible.Deacons for Defense. Starring: Forest Whitaker, Jonathan Silverman, Ossie Davis, Gene Mack, and Tyrone Benskin. 4 1/2 out of 5 Stars.
while we like to think of a world where violence is not necessary, there are times when one needs to defend oneself. this film mentions an important example: how is it that a man is allowed to fight against strangers in a war on another continent, and yet not allowed to defend his own family at home? we are still not where we need to be. i can think of too many examples of racism that i, as a white man have witnessed against people of color. we should not tolerate hate. one day i hope that understanding will conquer the ignorance that is the source of all hatred. this movie is a powerful reminder that we should not tolerate injustice. we all need to defend against those who allow violence to oppress.we cannot allow the characterization of those different from us in the simplistic terms of being "less than" us. it is one thing to be proud of yourself, but as a race, as the human race, we cannot be proud of ourselves until we truly establish that one of us has no need to defend himself against another.and this message could be just as easily translated into the way we deal with the difference in culture and religion between the west and the middle east. this film shows the true price of civil rights and reminds us that we cannot tolerate ignorance wherever it rears its proud, lazy, and ugly head.