4 Little Girls (1997)

A documentary of the notorious racial terrorist bombing of an African American church during the Civil Rights Movement.

Director:

Spike Lee

Stars:

Maxine McNair, Chris McNair, Fred Lee Shuttlesworth

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maxine McNair	...	Herself - Mother of Denise McNair
Chris McNair	...	Himself - Father of Denise McNair
Helen Pegues	...	Herself - Denise's Aunt
Queen Nunn	...	Herself - Neighbor of Denise McNair
Arthur Hanes Jr.	...	Himself - Defense Attorney for Bob Chambliss
Howell Raines	...	Himself - New York Times Editor
Harold McNair	...	Himself - Denise's Uncle
Carole C. Smitherman	...	Herself - Denise's Childhood Friend (as Carole C. Smitherman Esq.)
Wamo Reed Robertson	...	Herself - Carole's Aunt
Dianne Braddock	...	Herself - Carole's Sister
Carolyn Lee Brown	...	Herself - Carole's Childhood Friend
Alpha Robertson	...	Herself - Mother of Carole Robertson
Wyatt Tee Walker	...	Himself - Former Executive Director of SCLC
Fred Lee Shuttlesworth	...	Himself - Pres. of the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights
Florence Terrell	...	Herself - School Teacher

Storyline

This film recounts the people and events leading up to the one of the most despicable hate-crimes during the height of the civil-rights movement, the bombing of the 16th Street Church in Birmingham, Alabama. In that attack, four little African-American girls lost their lives and a nation was simultaneously revolted, angered and galvanized to push the fight for equality and justice on.

---

Plot Keywords:

civil rights | church | civil rights movement | bombing | birmingham alabama | 

---

Taglines:

The story of four young girls who paid the price for a nation's ignorance.

---

Genres:

Documentary | History

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 July 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Neljä pientä tyttöä

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$13,528 (USA) (11 July 1997)

Gross:

$130,146 (USA) (26 September 1997)

Company Credits

Production Co:

40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks, Home Box Office (HBO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the victims, Denise McNair, was a friend and classmate of future Secretary of State 'Condoleeza Rice'.

---

Quotes

Tommy Wrenn: I used to be afraid of Bull... until I discovered he was crazy. When I discovered he was crazy my whole attitude changed. Al Hilber was at a Trailways bus depot on the corner. Ah, they were gonna' put us in the paddy wagon and take us to jail. Al Hilber was standing next to the building like this. Bull looked over at us and said, "... hey, go over and get that blind nigga' and bring him over here.
[raucously laughing]
Tommy Wrenn: . This man was insane. He's hollering across the street, "... bring that blind...

---

Connections

References 60 Minutes (1968)

---

Soundtracks

"4 Little Girls"
Written by Pantera Saint-Montaigne
Performed by Pantera Saint-Montaigne

User Reviews

Heartbreaking

Spike Lee did an excellent job with this documentary. I too, was extremely shocked that it did not win the Oscar the year it was nominated. One of the victims was my cousin, my fathers favorite niece at that. Growing up and learning about this tragedy first hand was very enlightening and yet tragic all at the same time. This film definitely captures the pain and suffering of my family and of the entire black community that lived through such racially biased times in Birmingham, Alabama. I think that this film should be seen by all, and not just during Black History month. In my opinion, there is no justification for the actions of those involved and it took some time and patience but they too had to pay for their crimes.