The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till

Strong political views but this is a very well made documentary that provides factual insight into the mindset that prevailed during the time the incident took place. Well researched and passionately put together, it's a must see for anyone with any interest in recent american history of race relations and civil rights.

I learned quite a bit from watching this DVD regarding the death of Emmett Till. It was very well put together with first account interviews from family and friends. I recommend all family members to watch and learn a piece of history.

While stationed in Iraq, I realized that Black history month had crept up on me and it would be educational to read or watch movies reflecting the strugfle of our people.

I initially tried to purchase "Eyes On The Prize"; however, when I saw this documentary, I decided to try it. One thing I can tell you is that it finally answered the one question that has pondered my heart for about 17 years..... How did Mamie Till survive and live life after seeing her baby tortured and savagely destroyed for no logical reason under the heavens?

As it turned out, he was an "angel in disguise born with a God guided purpose"...... He was never hers at all.

Anybody that is interested in learning how the Civil Rights Movement started should watch this film. This is the true and untold story of Emmett Till's murder, told by his mother and other family members. When you watch it you will never forget it. This film should be shown to all teenagers and adults to remind them of the hatred and injustice that once was in this country. Keith Beauchamp reminds us that, "If we forget our past, history will repeat itself".

I recently had the opportunity to see Nikki Giovanni speak. She discussed her children's book about Rosa Parks giving up her seat, and briefly mentioned that she deliberately put Emmett Till's name in one of the newspapers a passenger was reading. I knew the name Emmett Till, but I never really knew the entire story. I'd heard about this documentary before, and I thought it would be worth a closer look.

Emmett was fourteen years old in 1955 when he visited his cousins in Mississippi, whistled at a white woman, and was killed three days later in what has to be one of the most brutal beatings in history. His death was arguably the biggest catalyst in the civil rights movement.

This film, made by Keith Beauchamp, is the result of eight years of research. He got the opportunity to interview several eyewitnesses, including Till's mother, who has since passed. He weaves this footage together with old news coverage, which paints a very clear picture of the events.

The most chilling part of the film is when Till's mother describes opening her son's coffin and looking at his body. As she describes his injuries, the screen cuts to a picture of Till's mangled face and doesn't change for almost fifteen seconds. As Al Sharpton comments, "It's hard to view a corpse and turn your head."

The only reason I gave the film four stars instead of five is that I found it to be a little self-congratulatory. It concludes with CNN footage announcing the reopening of the case fifty years after Till's death. Beauchamp made sure to select a clip in which the news anchor mentions the film and cites it as the reason the case was reopened. I'm not disputing that, but was it really necessary to include that, particularly as a way to conclude the film?

Other than that, though, I seriously suggest everyone watch this. It's an ugly but important part of our history. You also might want to pick up 4 Little Girls, the Spike Lee documentary about a 1963 church bombing in Birmingham.