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IMDbPro

Selma

  • 20142014
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 2h 8m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
91K
YOUR RATING
David Oyelowo in Selma (2014)
Selma is the story of a movement. The film chronicles the tumultuous three-month period in 1965, when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. led a dangerous campaign to secure equal voting rights in the face of violent opposition.  The epic march from Selma to Montgomery culminated in President Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965, one of the most significant victories for the civil rights movement.
Play trailer2:33
36 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • History
A chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965.A chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965.A chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
91K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Ava DuVernay
  • Writer
    • Paul Webb
  • Stars
    • David Oyelowo
    • Carmen Ejogo
    • Oprah Winfrey
Top credits
  • Director
    • Ava DuVernay
  • Writer
    • Paul Webb
  • Stars
    • David Oyelowo
    • Carmen Ejogo
    • Oprah Winfrey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 290User reviews
    • 382Critic reviews
    • 80Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 58 wins & 91 nominations total

    Videos36

    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:33
    Trailer #1
    Selma
    Trailer 2:31
    Selma
    We Are Martin Luther King Jr. | Supercut
    Clip 1:12
    We Are Martin Luther King Jr. | Supercut
    Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon Share Their Films of Hope for Difficult Times
    Clip 8:09
    Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon Share Their Films of Hope for Difficult Times
    A Guide to the Films of Ava DuVernay
    Clip 1:35
    A Guide to the Films of Ava DuVernay
    Next Great Battle
    Clip 0:34
    Next Great Battle
    Welcome Full
    Clip 1:07
    Welcome Full
    Join Us
    Clip 0:50
    Join Us
    First To Cry
    Clip 1:08
    First To Cry
    Malcolm X
    Clip 0:52
    Malcolm X
    Bingo
    Clip 0:46
    Bingo
    Exclusive Clip
    Clip 0:49
    Exclusive Clip

    Photos136

    David Oyelowo, André Holland, and Stephan James in Selma (2014)
    Lorraine Toussaint, Colman Domingo, Carmen Ejogo, David Oyelowo, Wendell Pierce, and Stephan James in Selma (2014)
    Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, and Ava DuVernay in Selma (2014)
    Lorraine Toussaint, Wendell Pierce, and Stephan James in Selma (2014)
    Tessa Thompson in Selma (2014)
    David Oyelowo and Ava DuVernay in Selma (2014)
    Tom Wilkinson in Selma (2014)
    Carmen Ejogo in Selma (2014)
    David Oyelowo and Tom Wilkinson in Selma (2014)
    Lorraine Toussaint and Carmen Ejogo in Selma (2014)
    Lorraine Toussaint in Selma (2014)
    Niecy Nash in Selma (2014)

    Top cast

    Edit
    David Oyelowo
    David Oyelowo
    • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
    Carmen Ejogo
    Carmen Ejogo
    • Coretta Scott Kingas Coretta Scott King
    Oprah Winfrey
    Oprah Winfrey
    • Annie Lee Cooperas Annie Lee Cooper
    Tom Wilkinson
    Tom Wilkinson
    • President Lyndon B. Johnsonas President Lyndon B. Johnson
    Jim France
    Jim France
    • Gunnar Jahnas Gunnar Jahn
    Trinity Simone
    • Girl #1as Girl #1
    Mikeria Howard
    • Girl #2as Girl #2
    Jordan Rice
    Jordan Rice
    • Girl #3as Girl #3
    Ebony Billups
    • Girl #4as Girl #4
    Nadej K. Bailey
    Nadej K. Bailey
    • Girl #5as Girl #5
    • (as Nadej Bailey)
    Elijah Oliver
    • Boy #1as Boy #1
    Clay Chappell
    • Registraras Registrar
    Giovanni Ribisi
    Giovanni Ribisi
    • Lee Whiteas Lee White
    Haviland Stillwell
    Haviland Stillwell
    • President's Secretaryas President's Secretary
    André Holland
    André Holland
    • Andrew Youngas Andrew Young
    Ruben Santiago-Hudson
    Ruben Santiago-Hudson
    • Bayard Rustinas Bayard Rustin
    Colman Domingo
    Colman Domingo
    • Ralph Abernathyas Ralph Abernathy
    Omar J. Dorsey
    Omar J. Dorsey
    • James Orangeas James Orange
    • (as Omar Dorsey)
    • Director
      • Ava DuVernay
    • Writer
      • Paul Webb
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Tim Roth grew up during the Civil Rights Era. He said he remembers George Wallace, thought of him as a "monster," and was "amazed at what was coming out of his mouth."
    • Goofs
      When MLK meets with LBJ in the Oval Office, Johnson is seated at the Resolute Desk. When Lyndon B. Johnson took office in 1963, he found he was too large for the desk, and commissioned a plainer replacement which was built by the Senate cabinet shop.
    • Quotes

      Martin Luther King Jr.: Our lives are not fully lived if we're not willing to die for those we love, for what we believe.

    • Crazy credits
      Martin Sheen is not listed in the credits.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Chris Pine/David Oyelowo/Bobby Flay (2014)
    • Soundtracks
      One Morning Soon
      Written by Traditional

      Performed by Joyce Collins & Johnita Collins

      Courtesy of Tompkins Square, LLC

    User reviews290

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Fueled by a gripping performance from Oyelowo.
    Film critic Richard Roeper said it best. Selma is a film that provides a history lesson, but doesn't feel like a history lecture. Not one bit.

    I foresee a bright future for the director Ava DuVernay and actor David Oyelowo. For DuVernay's second or third effort, it's quite an achievement what she manages to do with this film. For nearly fifteen years she's been working in studio marketing and publicity and her film speaks for itself. She directs the film with flare and keeps the film emotionally grounded. Even though at times you think you know whats coming, DuVernay keeps us at bay and also provides us with some neat surprises. Also give Paul Webb some credit with his sharp screenplay.

    David Oyelowo truly embodies MLK. More often than not Selma tends to focus on something not many people tend to expect in a movie about MLK. The script showcases his doubts and insecurities. Oyelowo comes through with a deeply felt and compelling performance. He also nails Dr. King's speech patterns, voice, even his posture and shows that Dr. King has his flaws, but is a compassionate person. I find it hard that anyone will be able to take their eyes off him. What a performance. Shame that it was overlooked by the Academy.

    Everyone in the cast brings their "A-game." I liked Carmen Ejogo as Coretta Scott King, but I wanted just a little more of her character, but she makes up the most of what she has. Oprah Winfrey is solid as Annie Lee Cooper. She has a very substantial role and has a nice subplot. Other particular standouts are Tom Wilkinson as President Lyndon B. Johnson, Tim Roth as George Wallace.

    Selma takes itself very seriously, there isn't much humor to be found, and any break from documenting its events are often downbeat character moments. However DuVernay's talent is in full blaze. This film is very heavy, but it always grabs your attention, often in the hands of Oyelowo's performance. The March 7th, "Bloody Sunday" sequence is brutal to watch, but DuVernay and cinematographer Bradford Young achieve and deliver quite an intense and impactful set piece. Literally, it hits you in the gut as we watch history forged in flesh and blood.

    I am still shocked that this film received so little recognition by the Academy. Oyelowo and DuVernay should have been nominated at the very least. I believe you can blame that to Paramount Pictures as I heard that they did not deliver the screeners on time for the Academy voters. It's a pity.

    By the time we arrive at the film's postscript, revealing the fates of several people chronicled by Selma, it's almost impossible not to be moved by their courage and sacrifice. Selma to me, is not just a biopic, but rather a film that celebrates a community action through the eyes of Martin Luther King Jr. This movie sadly, could not be more relevant right now.

    9.3/10
    helpful•56
    33
    • drawlife
    • Jan 20, 2015

    FAQ1

    • Why is the movie titled Selma?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 9, 2015 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • France
    • Official sites
      • Official Site
      • Official site (France)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Selma: El poder de un sueño
    • Filming locations
      • Selma, Alabama, USA
    • Production companies
      • Pathé
      • Harpo Films
      • Plan B Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $52,076,908
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $571,450
      • Dec 28, 2014
    • Gross worldwide
      • $66,787,908
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 8 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • Dolby Surround 7.1
      • Datasat
      • Dolby Atmos
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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