The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till
Release Date:
August 17, 2005
Limited release
Over 40 years ago, Emmett Louis Till was a 14-year-old Chicago boy who was visiting family in Money, Mississippi. Unfortunately for the young man, two white men named Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam decided that they would teach him a lesson for whistling at Bryant's wife. The pair abducted the young man and then beat him and threw him into the Tallahatchie river with a weight fastened around his neck. Although the murderers were eventually arrested, they were ultimately acquitted of their charges by a white, all-male jury. The young man did not die in vain, though. His murder was a major spark for the black resistance of the South, which eventually became known as the American Civil Rights Movement.
Although this death has long been forgotten and many do not realize that a sacrificial lamb helped provide many of the opportunities that are available to them today, one documentary director remembered. He's bringing this story to the American public by telling of the family's agony that has taken place for the past 40 years. He will utilize commentary from people who were actually on the scene at the time the murder took place to help provide the all-too-real backdrop.
Despite the fact that the murders were originally acquitted, this documentary has had a very positive result. Recently, the investigation of the murders was re-opened by the Justice Department. Perhaps at long last, the truth will prevail. (Kim Hollis/BOP)
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