Five Documentaries To Watch On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Nationwide, January 16 will be celebrated as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This is an occasion to think about the life and legacy of one of the most prominent civil rights leaders in our country's history. We picked five titles from our digital library that you can view on-demand on your smart tv, smartphone or tablet. To sign up for any of these free services, all you need is your East Brunswick Public Library card. 

March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed The World

This adaptation of Christine King Farris' same-title book for kids shares her account of the day her brother delivered the "I Have A Dream" speech. You can view this on hoopla digital. 

In Remembrance of Martin

This PBS documentary honors his life and accomplishments through interviews with Coretta Scott King, Jimmy Carter, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and others. You can view this documentary on Kanopy.

KING: A Filmed Record...Montgomery to Memphis

Originally screened as a one-night-only event in 1970, this documentary was created using archival footage and then-new interviews to chronicle his life from 1955 to 1968. It was an Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary Feature and admitted to the National Film Registry in 1999. You can view this on hoopla digital

I Have a Dream: The Nature of Great Speaking

Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 "I Have A Dream" speech is one of the most essential and iconic moments of the 20th century. This film analyzes why this speech was so extraordinary and compelling. You can view this on Kanopy.

I Am Not Your Negro

Filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished, Remember This House. It is a journey into black history that connects the Civil Rights movement to the modern-day, examining the life of several critical figures, including Martin Luther King Jr. Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, it was nominated for Best Documentary Feature in 2017.  You can view this film on hoopla digital.