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Independent Lens: The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution DVD & Blu-ray

$24.99 $17.99
Item #: WA7732
More than 40 years after the Black Panther Party was founded the group and its leadership remain powerful and enduring images in our popular imagination. This will weave together the voices of those who lived this story -- police informants journalists white supporters and detractors those who remained loyal to the party and those who left it.
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More than 40 years after the Black Panther Party was founded the group and its leadership remain powerful and enduring images in our popular imagination. This will weave together the voices of those who lived this story -- police informants journalists white supporters and detractors those who remained loyal to the party and those who left it.

Producer: Laurens Grant
Production Company: Firelight Films
Production Year: 2015
Copyright Year: 2015
Rating: TV-14
Number of Discs: 1
Length: 115 minutes
Subtitled: Y
Subtitle Languages: English (SDH)
DVI: N
Audio Format: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 16x9 Widescreen

18 Reviews
G
George D.
Anonymous User
4.0 star rating
02/24/22
Review of The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
Review by George D. on 02/24/22 review stating Review of The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
I found the opening to be a little weak, but once beyond that the documentary improved. To a degree, the producers focused on the headlines, and the explanations. The one failure is that they only briefly focus on the good that the Panthers did in the Oakland projects, meals, education, voter registration, etc.
D
Darrelldetroitbookman
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
02/24/22
***** 5 Star Documentary ...
Review by Darrelldetroitbookman on 02/24/22 review stating ***** 5 Star Documentary ...
***** Im old school -- knew several Panthers in the 60s and early 70s -- BPP Headquarters in Detroit was on Indiandale St. near 14th Ave --- This Documentary shows a evolution of BPP practices, services, and the F.B.I. secret agents infusion and injection into the BPP ranks ---- A story so beautiful and so very ugly -- a story of Huey, Bobby, Eldridge. Elain Brown, Hilliard et al thats told and shown with a great love and understanding of a period that still shines like a bright star --- The Black Panther Party will always be a Beacon of Light to not only Black folks, but the entire World ...
D
Dr. I.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
02/24/22
Bought this after seeing it on PBS--outstanding documentary!
Review by Dr. I. on 02/24/22 review stating Bought this after seeing it on PBS--outstanding documentary!
I will share this widely. The footage on Fred Hampton and the interviews with former Panthers make this a fine documentary and especially relevant today in a time of proliferating guns and intemperate racially charged language, not to mention police shootings of unarmed young black men.
A
Antoine
Verified Buyer
4.0 star rating
07/23/21
Good
Review by Antoine on 07/23/21 review stating Good
Good
L
Lakerfan4lyfe
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Excellent Programming
Review by Lakerfan4lyfe on 07/17/20 review stating Excellent Programming
I enjoyed this program and I am purchasing it today. Young people today should really watch this and understand how all lives matter. The Black Panther has left a legacy still unfulfilled. Continue the great programming.
M
Mr W.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Excellent
Review by Mr W. on 07/17/20 review stating Excellent
Everything I expected and more
S
Sp T.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
A Story that Still Speaks
Review by Sp T. on 07/17/20 review stating A Story that Still Speaks
I was surprised to see such activism, agency and advocacy in the Black Panther Party, at the same time as King and Malcolm X. Three different answers to the same problem. It was at times inspiring and then tragic as individual mistakes and white privilege pushed back. Somehow I want to bring this story to my students to change their mentality, as this change is even more necessary.
L
Leon
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
enjoyable
Review by Leon on 07/17/20 review stating enjoyable
Things I never knew were revealed.
S
Stephon
Anonymous User
4.0 star rating
07/17/20
The Black Panthers Vanguard of the Revolution
Review by Stephon on 07/17/20 review stating The Black Panthers Vanguard of the Revolution
Really good! Clears up many myths and lies that have circulated throughout the years b people with no clue!
K
Kurtjohn
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Great documentary! Outstanding! Two thumbs up!
Review by Kurtjohn on 07/17/20 review stating Great documentary! Outstanding! Two thumbs up!
I really love watching this documentary it was extremely educational and full of great knowledge. I would buy this again. I highly recommend this DVD.
Z
Zurie
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
One the Most Important Parts of History
Review by Zurie on 07/17/20 review stating One the Most Important Parts of History
OMG - Im in awe of the amount of information that I learned from this work of art. Im still shaking my head at the details of all sides of the story. I come away with more pride and humility for my people. I can only hope and pray the world and hope that as a human we can learn from our mistakes and find peace from the power over us all.
P
Panther P.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Always loved the panthers.. Love them even more now
Review by Panther P. on 07/17/20 review stating Always loved the panthers.. Love them even more now
I always loved The Black Panthers and what they stood for. Being a very proud woman of color I have nothing but pride at the courage, determination unity that the panthers had and I was extremely glad that the truth was told about the corruption of our so called fair government. I only wish that I was alive back then so that I could have became a panther!!!
S
Sojourner
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Thank you Black Panthers; Thank you Stanley Nelson!
Review by Sojourner on 07/17/20 review stating Thank you Black Panthers; Thank you Stanley Nelson!
An enlightening, empowering piece of work. Nelsons opus negates the narrative that attempts to denigrate the worth of our black community and characterise us, particularly our men, as miing in constructive action and civic values. It also sheds light on calculated state-sanction oppreion, engendered by a desire to deny equality for Blacks EUR an objective that persists to this day. I am grateful for the sacrifices of the members of the Black Panthers Party and Stanley Nelson for their contribution to our communitys voice being heard This should be mandatory viewing for all students of history, particularly Americans and Texans.
I
It's U.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Powerful and informative
Review by It's U. on 07/17/20 review stating Powerful and informative
This documentary was great!!!! I wish a movie could also me made with this information. Our younger generation is just not aware of the struggles that were faced trying to be part of a racist society. It also exposed how too much power can be misused as well as how the powers of the government can hold back a community of people just trying to be treated as equals.
S
Sugrfoot
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Very Informative!
Review by Sugrfoot on 07/17/20 review stating Very Informative!
Awesome documentary!
M
Mighty O.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
A must see history!
Review by Mighty O. on 07/17/20 review stating A must see history!
I learned quite a bit from this DVD. It was very informative and well documented. Actual scenes added a realism that made you think you were there. I applaud PBS for its effort in bringing such a controversial subject to the forefront.
T
Tasha M.
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Knoeledge is the best defense against ignorance.
Review by Tasha M. on 07/17/20 review stating Knoeledge is the best defense against ignorance.
This DVD could not have come at a better time. I think the youth need to see this so they know some of the struggles people in history had been through. I like that the people in the DVD are actual Black Panthers and can give us a first hand account of what really happened. I truly believe the more youth who see this DVD the more of them will remember and try to do better. Thank you for offering this DVD.
D
Doc
Anonymous User
5.0 star rating
07/17/20
Informative
Review by Doc on 07/17/20 review stating Informative
This documentary is very enlightening, and for the most part very accurate.

"The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution' is essential history and a vibrant chronicle of this pivotal movement that gave rise to a new revolutionary culture in America." - Amsterdam News

"fascinating" - The Los Angeles Times

"Emmy Award winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson's captivating documentary dives into the lives of the Black Panther movement and the significance it had on American culture." - Black America Web/Tom Joyner Show

"It's a fascinating look at civil rights, the power of the people, and a part of American history that is underserved in the media." - Times Union

"a fascinating look at the black power movement" - Bergen Record

"Stanley Nelson's straightforward, fair minded two-hour account is a strong introduction." - The New York Times

3.5 out of 4 stars
"…this excellent historical examination of a controversial group couldn't be more timely. Highly recommended." - Video Librarian

"PBS, Independent Lens, the home of so much that is good in the documentary world. The Oscars certainly blew it when not including this on the short list of the best documentaries of the year." - Huffington Post

"This documentary offers and even-headed history of the rise and fall of the Black Panther Party. Be sure to show it to the Beyonce- bashers." - Tallahassee Democrat



Highlighted Customer Reviews


Informative
Review by Doc review stating Informative
This documentary is very enlightening, and for the most part very accurate.
Knoeledge is the best defense against ignorance.
Review by Tasha M. review stating Knoeledge is the best defense against ignorance.
This DVD could not have come at a better time. I think the youth need to see this so they know some of the struggles people in history had been through. I like that the people in the DVD are actual Black Panthers and can give us a first hand account of what really happened. I truly believe the more youth who see this DVD the more of them will remember and try to do better. Thank you for offering this DVD.
A must see history!
Review by Mighty O. review stating A must see history!
I learned quite a bit from this DVD. It was very informative and well documented. Actual scenes added a realism that made you think you were there. I applaud PBS for its effort in bringing such a controversial subject to the forefront.

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