"Eyes on the Prize" (1987) TV series

Director:

Henry Hampton

Seasons:

1 | 2

Genre:

Documentary | History

Plot:

A documentary about the American Civil Rights Movement from 1952 to 1965.

Plot Keywords:

Civil Rights Movement | Boycott | Racial Discrimination | Racial Tension | Heroism

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 9 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Julian Bond

...

Narrator (14 episodes, 1987-1990)

Series Directed by
James A. DeVinney		(4 episodes, 1987-1990)
Orlando Bagwell		(2 episodes, 1987)
Callie Crossley		(2 episodes, 1987)
Judith Vecchione		(2 episodes, 1987)
Sheila Curran Bernard		(2 episodes, 1990)
Madison D. Lacy		(2 episodes, 1990)
Louis J. Massiah		(2 episodes, 1990)
Samuel D. Pollard		(2 episodes, 1990)
Terry Kay Rockefeller		(2 episodes, 1990)
Jacqueline Shearer		(2 episodes, 1990)
Paul Stekler		(2 episodes, 1990)
Henry Hampton		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Steve Fayer		(13 episodes, 1987-1990)
James A. DeVinney		(4 episodes, 1987-1990)
Callie Crossley		(2 episodes, 1987)
Sheila Curran Bernard		(2 episodes, 1990)
Madison D. Lacy		(2 episodes, 1990)
Louis J. Massiah		(2 episodes, 1990)
Samuel D. Pollard		(2 episodes, 1990)
Terry Kay Rockefeller		(2 episodes, 1990)
Jacqueline Shearer		(2 episodes, 1990)
Paul Stekler		(2 episodes, 1990)

Series Produced by
Michael Ambrosino	....	consulting executive producer (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Alison Bassett	....	supervising producer / coordinating producer (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Jon Else	....	series producer (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Mark Samels	....	executive producer (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Judith Vecchione	....	series producer / producer (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Henry Hampton	....	producer (13 episodes, 1987-1990)
Judy Richardson	....	associate producer (8 episodes, 1990)
James A. DeVinney	....	producer (4 episodes, 1987-1990)
Jacqueline Shearer	....	producer / segment producer (3 episodes, 1990)
Prudence Arndt	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 1987)
Orlando Bagwell	....	producer (2 episodes, 1987)
Callie Crossley	....	producer (2 episodes, 1987)
Llewellyn M. Smith	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 1987)
Sheila Curran Bernard	....	producer (2 episodes, 1990)
Madison D. Lacy	....	producer (2 episodes, 1990)
Louis J. Massiah	....	producer (2 episodes, 1990)
Thomas Ott	....	producer / segment producer (2 episodes, 1990)
Samuel D. Pollard	....	producer (2 episodes, 1990)
Terry Kay Rockefeller	....	producer (2 episodes, 1990)
Dale S. Rosen	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 1990)
Paul Stekler	....	producer (2 episodes, 1990)

Series Original Music by
Wendy Blackstone		(1 episode, 1990)

Series Cinematography by
James H. Karales		(8 episodes, 1987-1990)
Michael Chin		(8 episodes, 1990)
Robert Shepard		(8 episodes, 1990)
Robert Achs		(2 episodes, 1990)
Boyd Estus		(2 episodes, 1990)
Thomas Kaufman		(2 episodes, 1990)
Jon Else		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Charles Scott		(4 episodes, 1987-1990)
Betty Ciccarelli		(3 episodes, 1990)
Jeanne Jordan		(2 episodes, 1987)
Lillian Benson		(2 episodes, 1990)
Thomas Ott		(2 episodes, 1990)
Ann Bartholomew		(unknown episodes)
Dan Eisenberg		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Frank Capria	....	post-production supervisor (8 episodes, 1990)
Ann Mathieu	....	production manager (6 episodes, 1987)
Cynthia Meager Kuhn	....	post-production manager (6 episodes, 1987)
Jo Ann Mathieu	....	production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Richard Bock	....	sound mixer (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Sekou Shepard	....	sound recordist (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Felipe Borrero	....	sound recordist (7 episodes, 1987-1990)
John Waite	....	sound editor (7 episodes, 1990)
Leah Mahan	....	assistant sound editor / sound editor (6 episodes, 1990)
John Fitzpatrick	....	sound recordist (5 episodes, 1987-1990)
John Esaki	....	sound recordist (5 episodes, 1990)
Mark Lipman	....	sound editor (5 episodes, 1990)
David Obermeyer	....	sound recordist (5 episodes, 1990)
Maureen Fahey	....	sound editor (4 episodes, 1990)
James Hawkins	....	sound recordist (4 episodes, 1990)
Joseph Burton	....	sound editor (3 episodes, 1987)
Clive B. Davidson	....	sound recordist (3 episodes, 1987)
Sara Chin	....	sound recordist (3 episodes, 1990)
J.T. Takagi	....	sound recordist (3 episodes, 1990)
Lynne Toland	....	sound editor (3 episodes, 1990)
Rick Angelella	....	sound recordist (2 episodes, 1987)
Charles Blackwell	....	sound recordist (2 episodes, 1987)
Clive Davison	....	sound recordist (2 episodes, 1987)
Mary H. Ellis	....	sound recordist (2 episodes, 1987)
Mike Majoros	....	sound editor (2 episodes, 1987)
Nigel Mercer	....	sound editor (2 episodes, 1987)
Michael Warren	....	sound recordist (2 episodes, 1987)
Maryjo Wheatley	....	sound editor (2 episodes, 1987)
Russell Williams II	....	sound recordist (2 episodes, 1987)
Sarah Chin	....	sound recordist (2 episodes, 1990)
Michael Penland	....	sound recordist (2 episodes, 1990)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Hugh Walsh	....	assistant camera (12 episodes, 1987-1990)
Otis W. Bess Jr.	....	assistant camera (7 episodes, 1990)
Crystal Griffith	....	assistant camera (7 episodes, 1990)
Hans-Peter Schloemer	....	assistant camera (6 episodes, 1987-1990)
Michael Chin	....	assistant camera / camera operator (6 episodes, 1987)
Jon Else	....	camera operator (6 episodes, 1987)
Ed Joyce	....	camera operator (6 episodes, 1987)
Robert Shepard	....	camera operator (5 episodes, 1987)
Mike West	....	assistant camera (4 episodes, 1987)
Michelle Crenshaw	....	assistant camera (4 episodes, 1990)
William Hardin	....	assistant camera (4 episodes, 1990)
Orlando Bagwell	....	camera operator (3 episodes, 1987)
Becky Butler	....	assistant camera (3 episodes, 1987)
Tom Kaufman	....	camera operator (3 episodes, 1987)
Arthur J. Fielder	....	assistant camera / camera operator (3 episodes, 1990)
Werner Bundschuh	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1987)
John Esaki	....	assistant camera (2 episodes, 1987)
John Gordon	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1987)
Robert Richman	....	assistant camera (2 episodes, 1987)
Robert Beyer	....	assistant camera (2 episodes, 1990)
John Dunkin	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1990)
Arthur J. Filder	....	assistant camera (2 episodes, 1990)
Dick Williams	....	assistant camera (2 episodes, 1990)
Barbara Hanania	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)

Series Animation Department
Jed Schwartz	....	animator (1 episode, 1987)
John Hays	....	animator: opening sequence (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Ann Bartholomew	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1987)
M.J. Doherty	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1987)
Victoria Garvin-Davis	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1987)
Will Conroy	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1990)
Maia Harris	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1990)
Noland Walker	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1990)
Kiki Zeldes	....	assistant editor (2 episodes, 1990)
Paul Bronkar	....	colorist: final video (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Rena C. Kosersky	....	music supervisor / music rights coordinator / ... (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Bernice Johnson Reagon	....	music arranger / music producer / ... (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Candie Carawan	....	music consultant (6 episodes, 1987)
Guy Carawan	....	music consultant (6 episodes, 1987)
Cynthia Meager Kuhn	....	music rights coordinator (6 episodes, 1987)
Lillian Rae Dunlap	....	music consultant (6 episodes, 1990)
Portia Maultsby	....	music consultant (6 episodes, 1990)
Lillian Rae Dunlop	....	music consultant (3 episodes, 1990)

Series Other crew
Clayborne Carson	....	academic advisor (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Sandra Forman	....	legal / project director (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
David Garrow	....	academic advisor (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Judy Hampton	....	president (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Vincent Harding	....	academic advisor / advisor (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Darlene Clark Hine	....	academic advisor (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Robert Lavelle	....	consultant / publisher (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Paula Lerner	....	project accountant (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Cynthia Meager Kuhn	....	archivist / rights coordinator (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Aldon Morris	....	academic advisor (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
Kenn Rabin	....	stock footage coordinator / archival consultant / ... (14 episodes, 1987-1990)
James A. DeVinney	....	consultant / film researcher (12 episodes, 1987-1990)
W. Michael Greene	....	consultant (12 episodes, 1987-1990)
Lina Heil	....	consultant (12 episodes, 1987-1990)
Karen Pirello	....	administrative assistant (12 episodes, 1987-1990)
Anne Rampino	....	administrative assistant (12 episodes, 1987-1990)
Walter Rissmeyer	....	consultant (12 episodes, 1987-1990)
Steve Lawson	....	academic advisor (10 episodes, 1987-1990)
Tomas R. Levy	....	consultant (8 episodes, 1987-1990)
Janet Axelrod	....	consultant / business consultant (8 episodes, 1990)
Ruth M. Batson	....	advisor / chairman: advisory board (8 episodes, 1990)
Joseph C.K. Breiteneicher	....	advisor / chairman: advisory board (8 episodes, 1990)
Will Conroy	....	production assistant (8 episodes, 1990)
Lorraine Flynn Kiley	....	business manager (8 episodes, 1990)
Michael W. Greene	....	licensing / marketing (8 episodes, 1990)
Kirk Johnson	....	researcher (8 episodes, 1990)
Stanley N. Katz	....	academic advisor (8 episodes, 1990)
Janet Lawrence	....	archivist (8 episodes, 1990)
Susan Levene	....	researcher (8 episodes, 1990)
Angela Lifsey	....	publicist (8 episodes, 1990)
Jack Mendelsohn	....	advisor (8 episodes, 1990)
Dianne Pinderhughes	....	academic advisor (8 episodes, 1990)
Robert Preyer	....	academic advisor / advisor (8 episodes, 1990)
William Strickland	....	academic advisor (8 episodes, 1990)
Noland Walker	....	production assistant (8 episodes, 1990)
James Turner	....	academic advisor (7 episodes, 1990)
Karen Bates Logan	....	publicist (6 episodes, 1987)
Wiley Branton	....	academic advisor (6 episodes, 1987)
Sara Chazen	....	production secretary (6 episodes, 1987)
Steve Cohen	....	materials (6 episodes, 1987)
Raynard T. Davis	....	telecourse coordinator (6 episodes, 1987)
Marcy DeVeaux	....	publicist (6 episodes, 1987)
John Dittmer	....	academic advisor (6 episodes, 1987)
Ellen Frey	....	publicist (6 episodes, 1987)
Tony Freyer	....	academic advisor (6 episodes, 1987)
Paul Gaston	....	academic advisor (6 episodes, 1987)
Robert Hayden	....	materials / film researcher (6 episodes, 1987)
Laurie Kahn-Leavitt	....	senior researcher / film researcher (6 episodes, 1987)
Toby Kleban Levine	....	telecourse director (6 episodes, 1987)
Genna Rae McNeil	....	academic advisor (6 episodes, 1987)
Daphne B. Noyes	....	publicist (6 episodes, 1987)
Judy Richardson	....	series researcher (6 episodes, 1987)
Howard Zinn	....	academic advisor (6 episodes, 1987)
John Grybowski	....	film researcher / researcher (6 episodes, 1990)
Michael Thewell	....	academic advisor (6 episodes, 1990)
Elizabeth Carver	....	research assistant (5 episodes, 1987)
Eliza Gagnon	....	research assistant (5 episodes, 1987)
Peter Montgomery	....	production assistant (5 episodes, 1987)
J. Mills Thornton	....	academic advisor (5 episodes, 1987)
Lewanne Jones	....	film researcher / researcher (4 episodes, 1987-1990)
Thomas R. Levy	....	consultant (4 episodes, 1987-1990)
Meredith Woods	....	research assistant (4 episodes, 1987)
Peter Edelman	....	academic advisor (4 episodes, 1990)
Valerie A. Linson	....	production secretary (4 episodes, 1990)
Bennett Singer	....	intern / production assistant (3 episodes, 1987-1990)
Kevin P. Green	....	film researcher (3 episodes, 1987)
David Thaxton	....	film researcher (3 episodes, 1987)
Peter Vrooman	....	intern (3 episodes, 1987)
Michael Thelwell	....	academic advisor (3 episodes, 1990)
Renee Bovelle	....	intern (2 episodes, 1987)
Clarisse Chavious	....	intern (2 episodes, 1987)
Theresa Garofalo	....	intern (2 episodes, 1987)
Rosalind Jordan	....	intern (2 episodes, 1987)
Kay Matschullat	....	film researcher (2 episodes, 1987)
Ismael Ramirez	....	intern (2 episodes, 1987)
Lisa Silvera	....	intern (2 episodes, 1987)
Dawne Simon	....	intern (2 episodes, 1987)
Matthew Sucherman	....	intern (2 episodes, 1987)
Sue Williams	....	film researcher (2 episodes, 1987)
Algernon Austin	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Shari Chertok	....	film researcher / researcher (2 episodes, 1990)
Sharon Epperson	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Derrick Evans	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Daniel Fishman	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Ken Jacobson	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Rosalind Jones	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Nicole Keating	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Dylan Kidd	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Nina Koocher	....	researcher (2 episodes, 1990)
Lori Lakin	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Samantha Langbaum	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Ken Mack	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Leah Mahan	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Kramer Morgenthau	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Andrea V.C. Sheen	....	researcher (2 episodes, 1990)
Rachel Wimberly	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Tobias Zimmerman	....	intern (2 episodes, 1990)
Christopher Haskell	....	script preparation (unknown episodes)

Series Thanks
Richard Gilder	....	special thanks (12 episodes, 1987-1990)
Lewis E. Lehrman	....	special thanks (12 episodes, 1987-1990)
Steve Messere	....	special thanks (12 episodes, 1987-1990)
Henry Louis Gates	....	special thanks (11 episodes, 1987-1990)
Tobias Zimmerman	....	special thanks (9 episodes, 1987-1990)
Eric H. Smith	....	special thanks (8 episodes, 1987-1990)
Akin Gump	....	special thanks (6 episodes, 1990)
Inez Robinson	....	special thanks (5 episodes, 1987)
Strauss Hauer	....	special thanks (5 episodes, 1990)
Lorraine Flynn	....	special thanks (4 episodes, 1987)
Benjamin J. Harris	....	special thanks (4 episodes, 1987)
Judy Richardson	....	special thanks (2 episodes, 1990)

Production Companies

• Blackside

Distributors

• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) (1987) (USA) (TV)
• PBS Video (1991) (USA) (VHS)

Other Companies

• All Hours Professional Typing Service  administration team

Also Known As:

"Eyes on the Prize II" - USA (second season title)

Runtime:

360 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Company:

Blackside

Trivia:

The segment about the murder of Medger Evers states that Evers' killer has never been brought to justice. In 1989, a few years after this documentary was made, attorney Bobby DeLaughter reopened the murder case and brought Evers' killer Byron de la Beckwith (who had been tried twice resulting in a hung jury) to trial for the murder. Beckwith was convicted and sentence to life in prison. He died in prison of heart failure in 2001. (These events were dramatized in _Ghosts of Mississippi (1996)_.)

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Critic: Eyes on the Prize (#1.6)" (1994)

Overall excellent film

This series (along with the sequel, "Eyes on the Prize II") is a classic documentary that, in many ways, pointed to the techniques later adapted by Ken Burns in his documentaries. Given the availability of film and first-person accounts, as well as photos, this is a far more moving and affecting film. Beginnings are difficult, and one might quibble with how the first part brings the viewer "up to speed" on African American history before the 1950's, the immediate attention to the story of Emmitt Till makes up for much of that missing narrative, by showing in graphic detail the status of African Americans in the United States, particularly the deep South. The rest of the series fills in a great amount of detail in the ensuing decade up to 1965 and the Voter-Rights act of that year.

Three things to point out in detail that made this a strong film. First, the framing of the narrative before Brown v. Board to emphasize that the Brown case did not come about in isolation, but as part of a broader strategy of the NAACP (if you are further interested in this, you should look at "The Road to Brown") led by Charles Houston and Thurgood Marshall. Second, the film did not solely rely on newsreel footage and interviews, but effectively used still photos to convey drama and set pacing. On that last issue, the third point (which may have been for cost and copyright reasons for all I know) was the minimal use of music in the film. Some of the most powerful moments in the film come from a long (4-5 seconds) shot of a dramatic photo with only silence.

Why only 9 stars and not 10? I would like to have seen a bit more in the lead up to the 1950's, and some emphasis on larger context of the Cold War and such -- particularly a bit more on radical African Americans who were targeted by the state for prosecution before the forties, as well as more on the legacies of W.E.B. Dubois and Booker T. Washington as backdrop for later debates within the movement. These are really historical concerns, and overall, the film is worth seeing. I hope that soon the copyright issues will be sorted out so that this can be released on DVD, as many video copies available now are showing their age after many viewings!