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King(miniseries)

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King
DVD cover
Written byAbby Mann
Directed byAbby Mann
StarringPaul Winfield
Cicely Tyson
Music byBilly Goldenberg
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerPaul Maslansky
CinematographyMichael Chapman
EditorsDavid Berlatsky
Byron Brandt
Richard C. Meyer
Running time300 minutes
Original release
ReleaseFebruary 12(1978-02-12)–
February 14, 1978(1978-02-14)

Kingis a 1978 Americantelevision miniseriesbased on the life ofMartin Luther King Jr.,the Americancivil rightsleader. It aired for three consecutive nights onNBCfrom February 12 through 14, 1978.

Production

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Several real-life figures from theCivil Rights Movementhad minor roles in the production, including then-AtlantamayorMaynard Jackson,King's sisterChristine King Farris,his nieceAlveda King,and his four children:Yolanda,Martin III,DexterandBernice.Donzaleigh Abernathy,Tony Bennett,Julian BondandRamsey Clarkeach portrayed themselves.

Reception

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The miniseries earned nineEmmy Awardnominations, including nominations for actorsPaul Winfield,Cicely TysonandOssie Davis.

Though heavily promoted, the series met with controversy and was a huge ratings disappointment. The first installment was the lowest rated of all 64 prime time programs for the week of its debut.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Cast

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Annazette Chasewas considered to portray Coretta Scott King.[8]

Home media

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The miniseries was released on DVD on January 11, 2005.

See also

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References

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  1. ^(16 February 1978).ABC Tops in Ratings,Desert Sun
  2. ^(20 April 1978).'Holocaust' Sweeps TV Ratings,Santa Cruz Sentinel( "NBC suffered disastrous ratings on 'King'" ) (Associated Pressstory)
  3. ^Fuller, Jennifer.Dangerous fictions: race, history, and King,inCinema Journal(Vol 49, Issue 2) (Winter 2010)
  4. ^Cameron, Chris (4 January 2015).King of (Media) Kings,African American Intellectual History Society (AAIHS)
  5. ^Winfrey, Carey (16 February 1978).$5 Million TV Documentary Show Is Regarded as a Rating Disaster,The New York Times,p. C19.
  6. ^Wilkins, Roger(16 February 1978).Controversy on Film's Accuracy Flares Up Among Black Activists,The New York Times,p. C19.
  7. ^Waring is a fictitious character. In real life, his actions as depicted in the miniseries were performed byC. T. Vivian.
  8. ^Kleiner, Dick (3 May 1977)."Beauty a Handicap, Miss Raffin Finds".Pittsburgh Press.Retrieved25 April2016.
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