Rating: 
Summary: Great, but.....
Review: Having been to Birmingham numerous occasions and having met Mr. Chris McNair (who is now a county commissioner) as well as Carolyn McKinstrey, who also appears in this film (she was a survivor of the church bombing), I pretty much knew the story, but was pleased with the way it was told. A really fascinating segment for me was seeing the actual home movie of Denise Mc Nair and a couple of the other girls. Good job Spike. This is by far his best film.The DVD extras are very good, particularly the pathetic interview with the notorious George Wallace uncut. Poor Ed (see the film and you'll understand that last statement). Only minor complaint is that there isn't a scene selection on the DVD. You'll have to watch it all the way through. Also, it would be nice if some mention was made of Johnny Robinson and Virgil Ware (the two little boys who were also killed on that fateful Sunday, which is another story waiting to be told). But that aside, it's great that Spike did this while so many of those who were around to remember all this are still alive. This is history that needs to be seen.
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful Documentary
Review: Having read the reviews on this site before viewing this documentary I was prepared for a powerful viewing experience. But, because I already had an inkling of what I would see I won't say I was stunned by anything I saw. I was left with a slow, lingering, disturbing, gnawing feeling--perhaps like a hole. This is the type of movie whose scenes will replay in your mind when you can't sleep at night. I think Spike Lee produced in me just the feelings he was trying to evoke. I found the interview with former governor of Alabama, George Wallace, particularly chilling and masterfully crafted by Mr. Lee. The interviews with the parents and siblings of the victims were heart-wrenching without being melodramatic or sensationalistic. This movie is not only about the girls but the Civil Rights struggle in Birmingham. As a history teacher, I can hardly imagine a movie which would be more effective in covering the issues, the sacrifices and the legacy of the Civil Rights movement.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful Documentary
Review: Having read the reviews on this site before viewing this documentary I was prepared for a powerful viewing experience. But, because I already had an inkling of what I would see I won't say I was stunned by anything I saw. I was left with a slow, lingering, disturbing, gnawing feeling--perhaps like a hole. This is the type of movie whose scenes will replay in your mind when you can't sleep at night. I think Spike Lee produced in me just the feelings he was trying to evoke. I found the interview with former governor of Alabama, George Wallace, particularly chilling and masterfully crafted by Mr. Lee. The interviews with the parents and siblings of the victims were heart-wrenching without being melodramatic or sensationalistic. This movie is not only about the girls but the Civil Rights struggle in Birmingham. As a history teacher, I can hardly imagine a movie which would be more effective in covering the issues, the sacrifices and the legacy of the Civil Rights movement.
Rating:
Summary: A dramatic must-see!
Review: I have heard so much about these 4 girls but never knew "their story." As we all know, they are deceased and cannot speak for themselves.However, Lee does such a beautiful, tasteful and dignified job in allowing the individual families speak. My heart was shattered after learning the full story.To see personal pictures of those "babies" growing up. Wondering what might have become of them if fate had been different.The images stayed with me long after viewing this film. Being a small child myself when these event occured--I just had no idea.... A must for all to see!
Rating:
Summary: Racism's subtlety and harsh reality explored
Review: I personally feel that this film, despite it being a documentary, is Spike's finest work to date. As far as a feature film is concerned I would reserve that honor for the epic 'X'. I really don't know where to begin because this film is so involving and emotional for the viewer. The primary reason for this is because Spike does a masterful job of weaving the historical retelling of the events in question with the numerous personal recollections of the girls' friends and relatives in addition to putting the incomparable ignorance, haughtiness, and stupidity of southern racists on display. But perhaps most importantly the film brings life to a period of overt bigotry and violence that many people may consider to be long past but are sadly mistaken. I am always in awe of the phenomenal courage exhibited by black people during that time period. Well in practically any time period in America for that matter. Running through it all is just a tremendous sense of humanity. For me it's hard to describe in words. To truly understand and appreciate is a right that I think is reserved only for those who were actually there enduring the horror of these events. However the experience of this film is as genuine, insightful, enlightening, anger generating, and heartfelt as any film that i've seen in quite some time. Words really can't describe it.
Rating:
Summary: Sometimes This Is The Only Way!
Review: I vivdly remember reading about this as a youngster of 11 in Jet which, strangely enough, was the only magazine I read from back to front. I also remember the dread sometimes of reading Jet Magazine for you could count on pictures of dead African-Americans who were victims of racism. But this was the way of the world then. I am a grown man and I rarely cry at movies but it is quite impossible to hold back the tears looking at this. It is just as vivid to the parents, relatives, and friends of the four little girls involved in this horrific crime today as if it happend yesterday. Say what you will about Spike...HE WILL MAKE YOU CONFRONT IT WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT! Sometimes this is the only way to get the point across that we have simply got to do better. The movie is quite intense because the memories of the poeple most intimately involved have not faded in 38 years. But one mother even admitted that she doesn't even hate anymore and has resigned herself to the fact that that would simply not do any good at this point but at the same time this is something that she has to work on daily through the grace of her religious convictions. A beautiful documentary and a must see but be prepared to at least have to take a breather because it is intense but WELL worth the discomfort. Hats off, Spike! You've done it again!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: A sad, but true story that had to be told
Review: I was born in 1964 and I knew little about the bombing that killed the four little girls as they prepared to usher at their church for the church's annual youth day. Spike Lee did an exceptional job making us understand the time period and the pain and anger that the families still feel. Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, this documentary is not an Oscar winner, but it should be. Regardless, every family should see this video to truly get an understanding of the civil rights struggle from loved ones point of view. For the families left behind are the ones who made the real sacrafices so that African Americans might enjoy more liberty today. Each and every day we should remember those four little girls, Martin Luther King and Medgar Evers (among many, many others) as we go to our jobs and say our prayers every night. Thank God they lived.
Rating:
Summary: Time stopping & mind blowing & poetic
Review: I'm a Black 24 year old & I just seen the movie this morning. I waited so long to see it because I thought it would be graphic & gory; to my surprise it wasn't, but it was graphic in another sense-- getting close-ups on the people who had to deal first hand with this tragedy everyday of their lives. I put the tv on HBO by accident & this photo of MLK just had me stuck to the TV. I mean I stopped what I was doing. And then the part where Coltrane's "Alabama" is playing while the photo of one of the girls and her doll is just starring back at the viewer -- that blew my mind. The movie is hard to shake. I am an aspiring poet & this movie has a poetic aspect in its cimenatography.
Rating:
Summary: a great documentary
Review: I'm actually watching the special features on this disc right now, and the "making of" special is as well done as the film. This is a powerful and moving film about people before, during, and after a great tradedy. The stars of this film are the parents and friends of these children. One of the most startling things is an interview with violent segregationist George Wallace. Much like Micheal Moore handing the mike to Charleton Heston, the rope is handed over, and Wallace just hangs himself with it. Like Heston, he is old and outdated, illogical and mostly just old. You look at this old old man and you feel a strange pity, because he is so old and small and insignificant.
Rating:
Summary: a great documentary
Review: I'm actually watching the special features on this disc right now, and the "making of" special is as well done as the film. This is a powerful and moving film about people before, during, and after a great tradedy. The stars of this film are the parents and friends of these children. One of the most startling things is an interview with violent segregationist George Wallace. Much like Micheal Moore handing the mike to Charleton Heston, the rope is handed over, and Wallace just hangs himself with it. Like Heston, he is old and outdated, illogical and mostly just old. You look at this old old man and you feel a strange pity, because he is so old and small and insignificant.
| 
