King (1978– )

The story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stretching from his days as a Southern Baptist minister up to his assassination in Memphis in 1968.

Stars:

Paul Winfield, Cicely Tyson, Tony Bennett

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 8 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Paul Winfield	...	Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (3 episodes, 1978)
Cicely Tyson	...	Coretta Scott King (3 episodes, 1978)
Tony Bennett	...	Himself (3 episodes, 1978)
Roscoe Lee Browne	...	Philip Harrison (3 episodes, 1978)
Lonny Chapman	...	Chief Frank Holloman (3 episodes, 1978)
Ossie Davis	...	Rev. Martin Luther King Sr. (3 episodes, 1978)
Cliff De Young	...	Robert F. Kennedy (3 episodes, 1978)
Al Freeman Jr.	...	Damon Lockwood (3 episodes, 1978)
Clu Gulager	...	William Sullivan (3 episodes, 1978)
Steven Hill	...	Stanley Levison (3 episodes, 1978)
William Jordan	...	John F. Kennedy (3 episodes, 1978)
Warren J. Kemmerling	...	Lyndon Johnson (3 episodes, 1978)
Lincoln Kilpatrick	...	Jerry Waring (3 episodes, 1978)
Kenneth McMillan	...	Bull Connor (3 episodes, 1978)
Howard E. Rollins Jr.	...	Andrew Young (3 episodes, 1978)
David Spielberg	...	David Beamer (3 episodes, 1978)
Dolph Sweet	...	J. Edgar Hoover (3 episodes, 1978)
Dick Anthony Williams	...	Malcolm X (3 episodes, 1978)
Art Evans	...	A.D. King (3 episodes, 1978)

Storyline

The story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., stretching from his days as a Southern Baptist minister up to his assassination in Memphis in 1968.

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Plot Keywords:

assassination | one word title | african american | fbi | communism | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 1978 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmways Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

271 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dexter King the son of Martin Luther King Jr. was playing the Student.

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Connections

Features Mister Ed (1958)

User Reviews

An impressive, informative and moving film.

I must admit, although I have always admired Martin Luther King Jr. for what he had attained, I never knew much about him. I saw this film with my family the day before the holiday designated in honor of him. There are few (non animated) films my three young boys will sit through, especially historical. However they were actually interested in this one. I was never one to be impressed by television mini-series (especially 70's) however this film holds it's own. The performances by the entire cast were well above board. At times I had to remind myself that this was a cast. The performances by both Paul Winfield as Mr. King and Cicely Tyson as His Wife (Coretta Scott King) were outstanding. As is to be expected since they are both fine actors, outstanding in their field. They both earned an Emmy nomination for their work on this film. It garnered a total of 8 nominations, and won for 'Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition for a Series (Dramatic Underscore) for the composer Billy Goldenberg. The direction and production values were extremely well done. The most important effect this film had on me, was in raising the awareness of what an amazing gentleman he was. I was born in the early 60's in the west, and was raised by open, loving parents to believe that all persons are equal. And that the content of one's character really was the only way to judge someone. ( Regardless of race.) I rarely saw the hatred that was so prevalent in the south in the 60's. Although I studied about it in school, and have seen documentaries of his life in the past, this film really stood out in making those horrors real to me. I have never been able to understand how anyone can have so much hate for anyone. If this film opens just one child's eyes to the horrors or racism, so that those atrocities are never to be repeated, it is a great film. Mr. King made great sacrifices, let us never allow them to be in vain. (9 Stars)