The Best of Enemies (2019)

Civil rights activist Ann Atwater faces off against C.P. Ellis, Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan, in 1971 Durham, North Carolina over the issue of school integration.

Director:

Robin Bissell

Writers:

Robin Bissell, Osha Gray Davidson (inspired by true events chronicled in 'The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South' by)

Stars:

Taraji P. Henson, Sam Rockwell, Babou Ceesay

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Taraji P. Henson	...	Ann Atwater
Sam Rockwell	...	C.P. Ellis
Babou Ceesay	...	Bill Riddick
Anne Heche	...	Mary Ellis
Wes Bentley	...	Floyd Kelly
Nick Searcy	...	Garland Keith
Bruce McGill	...	Carvie Oldham
John Gallagher Jr.	...	Lee Tromblay
Nicholas Logan	...	Wiley Yates
Gilbert Glenn Brown	...	Howard Clement
Caitlin Mehner	...	Maddy Mays
Dolan Wilson	...	Councilman Bill Atkins
Morgan Mackey	...	Young Mother
Kendall Ryan Sanders	...	Ben Butler
Chris Cavalier	...	Leonard

Storyline

Civil rights activist Ann Atwater faces off against C.P. Ellis, Exalted Cyclops of the Ku Klux Klan, in 1971 Durham, North Carolina over the issue of school integration.

---

Plot Keywords:

ku klux klan | durham north carolina | activism | civil rights | race relations | 

---

Taglines:

Change is worth fighting for.

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic material, racial epithets, some violence and a suggestive reference

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some bar scenes were shot at the American Legion in Tucker, Georgia.

---

Goofs

There is a scene at a baseball game at the start of the film where a player is shown wearing Nike branded baseball cleats, first made in 1980.

---

Quotes

C.P. Ellis: She looked at me like I was some kind of monster.
Mary Ellis: What did you expect?

---

Soundtracks

We'll Meet Again
Written by Ross Parker and Hugh Charles
Performed by Vera Lynn
Courtesy of Warner Music U.K. Ltd.
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

Two Thumbs Up

Incredible movie. If you consider yourself an American, this is a must see. There is so much rich history in the American culture that has not been part of main stream media until now. The script forces you to find empathy for each of the main characters, no matter what your background. This was a challenging role for Taraji, whereas the role of Ann Atwater could have been easily type cast for Octavia Spencer. Some of the bits that Sam Rockwell brought to the role of CP Ellis were almost comical, but well in-character. Unlike the Green Book which had several awesome moments, this movie was suspenseful and interesting from start to finish. I am looking forward to the next work directed by Robin Bissell.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 April 2019 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Best of Enemies

Filming Locations:

Atlanta, Georgia

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,446,190, 7 April 2019

Gross USA:

$10,205,616

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,209,813

Company Credits

Production Co:

Astute Films, Material Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

133 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1