The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till

This film is "required reading". A true story with a compelling message that resonates globally, this movie reveals God's heart. It is about people; a boy who was murdered, men who murdered, injustice, fear, hate and undying love - the only kind of love.

High praises to the filmmaker, whose transparency allowed the truth of a now 50 year old story to speak fresh as if the news broke live today on your TV screen or on your Blackberry.

Sometimes you need more than an RSS feed, an iPod moment, or an action drama to invigorate you to the truth of life. You need truth and the Untold Story of Emmett Till is about Truth.

I always wanted to know why my grandmother didn't care too much for white people. She had told my mother,her daughter years ago about Emmett Till's story. My grandmother is from Greenwood,MISS. She left there shortly after the verdict. She said the town was really getting out of hand. The white people felt that nothing could stop them and that they would certainly get away with anything. His story had bothered me for years. I am only 31. I've been told that there were witnesses, but was too scared to come forward. Who would ever think this story would still be told and unsolved. The only survivor that my grandmother knows is that white woman who kicked it all off. I hope that they find someone guilty and punish who ever is still living for the death of Emmett Louis Till. My grandmother is about 73 and she still has family back there. She will not be able to relax until that case is brought to juctice!

The " Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till" is told from the real experience and voices of Emmett Louis Till family, friends and leaders of the nation taking an active role in bringing this case to justice.

50 years ago, 14 year-old Emmett Louis Till was kidnapped from his uncle's house in Money, Mississippi, beaten to death, murdered and thrown into Tallahatchie River, for whistling at a white woman Carolyn Bryant.

The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till revisits Till's death and the trial acquittal of the two men, Roy Bryant and J.W Milam, who later confessed to the crime in a magazine interview (both men have expired). Mamie Till-Mobley recounts her struggle and seeking justice for Till. An event that shocked the world when Mobley wanted the world to see what they did to her son.

By allowing these voices to be heard, Keith A. Beauchamp, Director of this documentary does an excellent and powerful educational screening to bring the black experience in deep south to the reality that racism and discrimination is real in this country and exist. The story of these people are told in the context from not misery but from the deep south experience of the brutal murder of Till.

Mamie Till Mobley expired on January 6, 2003, I know she would be proud that she mentor someone to bring awareness to our people by having the story from " Untold" to Told like it is.

Beauchamp's documentary has prompted the federal goverment to re-open the case. I am sure the Department for Justice will make the right decision and bring this case to justice this year.

It's does not matter if it was 50 years old. Racism and the brutal murder of Emmett Louis Till should not be tolerated in this country. The documentary could be used in University, workshop and session forum of educational purposes for older adults and children.

A must see documentary.

Marian M. Inguanzo, MSW
Social Worker, Civil Right Activist

If you think you know everything about the Emmett Louis Till case, think again. Young film maker Keith A. Beauchamp spent years conducting interviews and doing research in support of his documentary film The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till. As you may know, Emmett was a young boy from Chicago who went down south to Mississippi to visit relatives. During his visit he whistled at a white woman outside of a store and days later he was brutally beaten and murdered. Emmett's murder caused a huge shift in the struggle for civil rights. His case also African Americans to protest and strike out against lynchings.

The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till is the best documentary every produced about the Emmett Till case. What makes this documentary unique is the first person interviews Beauchamp scored for the film. These never before seen interviews in conjunction with archive footage paint a picture of the events surrounding Till's murder and the case afterwards that has never been seen. The interviews with Mamie Till-Mobley are excellent. She remembers with so much detail the events leading up to Emmett's murder and the struggle that she went through after the muder and during the trial. The film also includes interview footage of the brother of Medgar Evars, Emmett's cousins, Reverend Al Sharpton and more. It's a great film and it's captivating. The DVD includes a directors commentary and a featurette titled "The Impact of the Emmett Till Case in American History and Today." This film is so special it should be used in ever Black American Studies program and every African-American family should own a copy of this film. Many people feel like lynching and racism are far in the past, but watching this film will make people realize that what happened 51 years ago is an important part of not only African-American history but American history.

For the August of 1955, Mamie Till-Mobley of Chicago sent her son Emmett Louis Till to the Mississippi Delta to visit friends and family. Eight days after his arrival, Emmett was abducted from his Great Uncle's home by a group of white men for allegedly whistling at a white woman at a convenience store. Emmett was brutally beaten and murdered, the violent act epitomizing the virulent racism of the time. When two of the men involved were put to trial, the all-white jury acquitted them in less than an hour. Outraging many of the leaders in the black community, the murder and subsequent trial served as the catalyst for the entire American civil rights movement. The symbol of this act is the mangled face of Till, shown by the mother at his open-casket funeral. While her decision was controversial, her reason was simple: "I want the world to see what they did to my son.".

I have had the great pleasure of hearing Mr. Beauchamp speak about his documentary, and I can truly say that he put a great deal of work and effort into it. The documentary is not told with narration, as instead Mr. Beauchamp uses interviews with eyewitnesses, family members, and historians to tell the story. The documentary provides a concise view of the murder with the first-hand accounts, and while it does not bombard the viewer with biases or Mr. Beauchamp's personal views, it does evoke a clear message about racism back then as well as today, due to the lessons that can be learned. Mr. Beauchamp's thoughtful documentary serves as a brilliant reminder of the consequences that feelings of racism and hate can bring.