The Weather Underground

Watching this movie really shook me up. It seemed to make a valiant attempt to clearly explain the history, motivations, and philosophies of one of the most radical political groups ever created in America. All in all I would say that the film was successful in its attempt, and heavy watching.

Giving a voice to revolutionaries may seem a dangerous endeavor, but as I watched this movie I began to understand the philosophies of the infamous Weathermen. I may not have agreed entirely with their message, but it was definitely one worth acknowledging. I began to understand the truly devisive nature of the Vietnam War, the desperation of those who wished to end it, and the overall mood of the times. The 60's were in-fact revolutionary times.

The film also revives seemingly long-forgotten injustices, one-by-one for the viewer to face anew. I had never known that Chicago police had murdered Fred Hampton, Black Panther. There are a string of other incident that coincided with the Weather Underground's bombings of government buildings.

The film uses a great deal of archival television footage, which enhace the viewer's understanding of the era. Everything from nightly news clips, war footage, interviews, and amateur video is used effectively to propel the viewer into chaos of those times. It was a pleasure to watch, because of its educational value, but I found the cost-cutting technique of using the same two songs repeatedly throughout the movie irritating and severely distracting. I would have to say that this film was unlike many others I've seen, absolutely stirring and thought-provoking.