Deacons for Defense (TV 2003)

The words "Black Power" bring back memories of names like Stokely Carmichael, H. Rap Brown, and Eldridge Cleaver, but in Bogalusa, LA a group of harassed Afro-Americans had decided they'd ... See full summary »

Director:

Bill Duke

Writers:

Michael D'Antonio (story), Richard Wesley (teleplay),

Stars:

Forest Whitaker, Chris Britton, Jonathan Silverman

4 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Forest Whitaker	...	Marcus Clay
Chris Britton	...	William Chase
Jonathan Silverman	...	Michael Deane
Ossie Davis	...	Reverend 'Rev' Gregory
Gene Mack	...	T.J.
Tyrone Benskin	...	Archie
Paul Benjamin	...	Otis
Mpho Koaho	...	Baily
Melanie Nicholls-King	...	Rose Clay
Serena Lee	...	Lucille Clay
Khafre Armatrading	...	Brooks Clay
Adam Weiner	...	Charles Hillibrand
Beau Starr	...	Neely
Paulino Nunes	...	Lawson
Aaron Walpole	...	Jimmy

Storyline

The words "Black Power" bring back memories of names like Stokely Carmichael, H. Rap Brown, and Eldridge Cleaver, but in Bogalusa, LA a group of harassed Afro-Americans had decided they'd had enough and took up arms to defend themselves and force the white power structure to listen to them. This took place during "Freedom Summer", 1964, right after the Civil Rights Act had become law. Fact based movie stars Forest Whitaker and Ossie Davis, the former as the founder of the Deacons of Defense and Justice (DDJ) and the latter as a peaceful minister trying to prevent the unavoidable violence that will follow. The story revolves around the white-controlled factory which provides 70% of the town's income and employees 40% of its people. Segregation is still clinging on within the factory, with blacks denied the supervisory positions and forced into separate lunchrooms, bathrooms, and drinking fountains. The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) has its strongest power in this area and, as the DDJ gets armed ...

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Plot Keywords:

ku klux klan | civil rights movement | docudrama | vigilante

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violent images and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 February 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

A védelem diakónusai

Filming Locations:

Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

78 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

[leading KKK rally]
William Chase: Now we have a white company like Patterson Paper telling us how to run our lives. Taking our jobs. Spreading communism and niggerism to our community. They are taking our way of life. Tonight, I ask you to stand tall... stand proud... exalt in your whiteness... in your intelligence... in your superiority. It's our turn now. White Power, rain down on this great country of ours.
[shouts]
William Chase: White power.
All: [shouting] White power.
William Chase: [shouts] White power.
All: [shouting] White power.
William Chase: [shouts] ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in 10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards (2004)

User Reviews

Very average done film.

Nothing outstanding or special about this movie really. In itself there is nothing wrong with its good and powerful, intriguing story but the way it all gets brought the screen isn't the best or most effective way.

It's a made for TV movie, so of course it visually and technically never gets an impressive one to look at. Luckilly it still has some elements to compensate for this, such as the story but also some fine acting by well known actors who make their appearance in this movie. Forest Whitaker looks quite ridicules in his role but at least he really knows how to act and how to play his character.

However the way Forest Whitaker looks in this is unfortunately not the only ridicules aspect about this movie. Even though the story in itself is good, it doesn't always have a good flow to it. It also doesn't always progress very convincing. For instance, the one moment the Forest Whitaker is against all action and involvement with the human right group, in the '60's, who fight for the rights of the colored but the next he does not only gets voted leader, he is the one that screams the hardest, fights the toughest and he is willing to risk everything, even though at first he was incredibly protective and kept himself to the background. Not very convincing. Also quite ridicules how all of the KKK-people get portrayed as evil James Bond-type of villains. On top of that, the colored people get all portrayed as soft-spoken, friendly cat loving people to help to make the contrast of good and evil within this movie even bigger. It doesn't really work too well for any of the movie its realism.

I really like Bill Duke as an actor and I will love him always for some of his movies ("Commando", "Predator") but it seems that he still has a lot to learn as a director.

It's a shame, since the movie itself is trying to tell a real good and intriguing story, that's based on true events. But the movie just doesn't make that much of an impact with it. It all got done in a very average and formulaic way. So it are not only the technical aspect that makes this seems like a very average and cheap movie but also its lacking narrative.

5/10

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