The Weather Underground

The Weather Underground

By Sam Green

  • Genre: Documentary
  • Release Date: 2004-05-25
  • Advisory Rating: NR
  • Runtime: 1h 30min
  • Director: Sam Green
  • Production Company: The Free History Project
  • Production Country: United States of America
  • iTunes Price: USD 4.99
  • iTunes Rent Price: USD 3.99
6.7/10
6.7
From 44 Ratings

Description

"Hello. I'm going to read a declaration of a state of war... Within the next 14 days we will attack a symbol or institution of American injustice." -- Bernardine Dohrn. Thirty years ago, with these words, a group of young American radicals called The Weathermen announced their intention to overthrow the U.S. government. Fueled by outrage over the Vietnam War and racism in America, they went underground during the 1970s, bombing targets across the country that they felt symbolized "the real violence" that the U.S. government and capitalist power were wreaking throughout the world. From pitched battles with police on Chicago's city streets, to bombing the U.S. Capitol building, to breaking acid-guru Timothy Leary out of prison, this carefully organized clandestine network attempted to incite a national revolution, while successfully evading one of the largest FBI manhunts in history. One of the top documentaries of the year, this award-winning film interweaves extensive archival material with modern-day interviews to explore the incredible story of "The Weather Underground." As former members reflect candidly about the idealistic passion that drove them to "bring the war home," they paint a compelling portrait of troubled and revolutionary times, with unexpected and often striking connections to the current world situation.

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Reviews

  • No

    1
    By lester phelps
    To see both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And Bill Ayers listed under the same cast is disgraceful. Whether you are a liberal, moderate, or conservative, you'd have to be a fool to sympathize with a maniac who is only free from incarceration because of poorly handled police procedures. Ayers is a domestic terrorist who ought to be behind bars. I considered watching the film before noticing the academy award nomination it received; that was enough for me to quickly realize what side this film is staged to present: sympathy for a would-be murderer. Just another example of the country's continued departure from the wonderful values our grandfathers fought so hard to protect. To give these terrorists even a dollar for a movie rental is an utter disgrace. Ayers and co... Despite your intellectual brilliance that only few of us could even attempt to match, you're a bunch of anti American losers.
  • Interesting and well executed documentary.

    4
    By Emdyzzle
    Very informative. I would highly recommend to buy / rent.
  • Terrific Historical Reflection

    5
    By janjamm
    The 60s and 70s seem like long ago events. This film is helpful in providing a sense of the history of that time, a history that is continually misunderstood and distorted. The Vietnam war was horrific and many people willingly commited their lives in order to stop the war. Historians will look upon the radicalism in a way that illuminates the truth with the exposure of time. These people, misguided sometimes, wrong at other times, were trying to forge a legitimate resistance to a war and government that was out of control. They used bombs in "safe" ways to emphasize the resistance to the path of the government.The resistance came to naught, I think, because the general population chose to return to their sleep. When the war ended, miserably, the radical work done to stop the was was no longer needed. All that was left for those living underground was to return to life and eventually, tell the story. It is hard to value a bomber. But these people tried to understand what people can do when the government they value is no longer honorable, but, rather, becomes the world's aggressor in the most brutal way. Personally, I think their intentions, though radical, were honorable. But this will be debated for decades. The film is a well knit and provides an honest journey in all its noble, as well as shameful, truths during a specific and outrageous time in American history.
  • Pretty Good Look at just how bad Ayers and his ilk are to this day

    4
    By Mac175
    The Documentary tries to stay objective but it does allow the main focus of the documentary to talk about how brave they were, the ideal they had, etc...and while the people who made the film do not pass judgement it is easy for anyone who reads and can place things into context the ability to totally condemn them for the actions they took. Luckily, the "stars" hang themselves in this show. The only reason they never blew anyone up at first was because a target they selected (A G.I. Dance) did not get hit due to a number of members of the "Underground" blowing themselves up prior to attacking the dance! lol! If they had pulled it off they would have kept on going, even Ayers said they did not do enough but is never specific about what else they could have done, blow up more buildings perhaps? They swore direct action type violence off because they killed some of their own people and many down the line started to rob banks and target police and military anyway! lol! Yeah, they were great people! ;-) They are just terrible human beings and the fact that they are still so un-apologetic, free, enjoy the fruits of this country and are actually involved in the education of our youth sickens me. Anyone who sticks up for these people is either a college under grad (you just do not know any better), post grad (you should know better but live in a fish bowl), a PhD (No one expects you to know any better) or a Marxist to the bone.
  • Very interesting

    5
    By thechroshley127
    With all the talk about Bill Ayers lately, it's the perfect time to learn more about the Weather Underground. I really didn't know anything about them before watching this movie, and it really taught me a lot about politics in the 60's and 70's.
  • Amazing documentary

    5
    By Ancient Spider
    I watched this a couple of years ago, and it blew my mind. It's amazing that all these things happened and I never knew about it, and must see!

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