Crisis: Behind a Presidential Commitmentis a 1963direct cinemadocumentary film directed byRobert Drew.The film centers on theUniversity of Alabama's "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door"integration crisis of June 1963. Drew and the other filmmakers, includingD. A. PennebakerandRichard Leacock,were given expanded access to key areas, including United States PresidentJohn F. Kennedy'sOval Officeand the homes of United States Attorney GeneralRobert F. Kennedyand GovernorGeorge Wallaceof Alabama.[1]The film first aired on theAmerican Broadcasting Company (ABC)as an installment ofClose-Up!four months after the incident, on October 28, 1963.[2]It was added to theNational Film Registryof theLibrary of Congresson December 28, 2011.[3][4]
| Crisis: Behind a Presidential Commitment | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Robert Drew |
| Produced by | Robert Drew Gregory Shuker |
| Starring | John F. Kennedy George Wallace Robert F. Kennedy Vivian Malone James Hood Nicholas Katzenbach James Lipscomb (narrator) |
| Cinematography | Richard Leacock D. A. Pennebaker James Lipscomb Hope Ryden |
Production companies | ABC News Drew Associates |
Release date |
|
Running time | 52 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Synopsis
editShot primarily during a two-day period surrounding the University of Alabama integration crisis on June 11, 1963, the film follows President John F. Kennedy, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Governor George Wallace of Alabama, Deputy Attorney GeneralNicholas Katzenbach,and the students involved,Vivian MaloneandJames Hood.Since Wallace had promised to personally block the two black students from enrolling in the university, the Kennedy administration discusses how to respond without rousing the crowd, as had happenedthe year before in Mississippi,or making Wallace a martyr for the segregationist cause. They come up with a way in which they can quickly federalize theAlabama National Guardif the students are turned away so that Malone and Hood can return and enroll later the same day, rather than the next day, which it is hoped will show that the move is justified, but not let Wallace delay the court-mandated integration for more than a few hours.
The plan works. Wallace, after initially standing his ground, steps aside under orders from GeneralHenry V. Grahamand the students enter the building. That night, President Kennedy givesa speech about civil rightson national television. Later, a third black student,Dave McGlatheryis shown enrolling in the University of Alabama without incident.
Reception
editAlthough opinions onCrisiswere sharply divided after the October 1963 broadcast,[5]it is now considered among the landmark films ofcinéma vérité,ordirect cinema.[6]Peter von Baghrated it ahead of Drew's earlier workPrimary,considering it the most touching and intimate portrait of the Kennedy brothers on film.[6]Fred Kaplan,in a review forThe New York Timesof the film's 2009DVDrelease, wrote that "though we now know the story’s ending — the students were finally let in — the suspense is gripping." He dubbed it "the first movie thatBarack Obamashould watch in the White House screening room. "[1]
In 2011, this film was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United StatesLibrary of Congressand selected for preservation in theNational Film Registry.[7]The Registry said thatCrisis"has proven to be a uniquely revealing complement to written histories of the period, providing viewers the rare opportunity to witness historical events from an insider’s perspective."[7]TheAcademy Film ArchivepreservedCrisisin 1999.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abKaplan, Fred(January 16, 2009)."When the Kennedys Took on Wallace Over Integration".The New York Times.RetrievedNovember 1,2011.
- ^Edgerton, Gary R.The Columbia History of American Television.New York City: Columbia University Press, 2007.
- ^"2011 National Film Registry More Than a Box of Chocolates," Library of Congress, Wednesday, December 28, 2011.
- ^"Complete National Film Registry Listing".Library of Congress.Retrieved2020-09-23.
- ^O'Connell, P. J. (2010).Robert Drew and the Development of Cinema Verite in America.Southern Illinois University Press.p. 184.
- ^ab"Kriisi".YLE Teema(in Finnish). May 26, 2010.RetrievedNovember 1,2011.
- ^ab"2011 National Film Registry More Than a Box of Chocolates".Library of Congress.December 28, 2011.RetrievedDecember 28,2011.
- ^"Preserved Projects".Academy Film Archive.