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CHICAGO 10

4 of 5 stars.

Starring: voices of Hank Azaria, Dylan Baker, Nick Nolte, Mark Ruffalo, Roy Scheider, Live Schreiber, and Jeffrey Wright

Directed by: Brett Morgen

Rated R for language, nudity and brief sexual images

By John Delia

The documentary Chicago 10 is a very good depiction of the historical late 60’s movement against the war in Vietnam and the subsequent affect it had on America’s viewpoints. The excellent use of actual footage and court records coupled with animation, allows for a smooth rollout of the facts as compiled by Director and Writer Brett Morgan. If you are a lover of historical events and believe in the right of speech, then the Chicago 10 is a must see.

In 1968 two major groups against the war in Vietnam, the Yippies and the National Mobilization Committee (and some smaller groups) banded together to picket the war at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. The two groups comprised of thousands of war protesters set up their encampments in a park several miles from the convention. When they marched to the convention center they were met with resistance from the National Guard and the Chicago Police Department. It was this act that 10 so called leaders of the march were arrested and charged with conspiracy and violating Chicago’s Anti-Riot Act of 1968.

The film takes you to the courtroom and the trial of the infamous “Chicago 10,” Rennie Davis, David Dellinger, Thomas Hayden, Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Lee Weiner, John Froines, Bobby Seale, Leonard Weinglass and William Kinstler and lays out the circumstances surrounding their decision to picket the Democratic Convention and the consequences of their actions.

Morgan does an amazing job of showing the historical event in this documentary. His use of archival film combined with animation of the actual trial provides his startling view of the mistreatment of the rights of Americans to speak out for what they believe.

I do believe, however, that the film does tend to be somewhat one sided, but the facts remain. 50 million people saw live accounts of the riots and some very brutal beatings by law enforcement, yet prosecution was given every liberty to try the case, while the defense was stagnated by courtroom jurisprudence.

In the end, the publicity from the riots and subsequent court case was the probable force behind America’s disfavor for the war in Vietnam. It seemed well worth the subjugation the Chicago 10 received for their efforts.

The film opens in the South Florida area on June 25^th at the Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Please call 954-525-film for showtimes.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Run to see Chicago 10 when it comes to your local theatre, especially if you are a believer in just causes. 4 of 5 stars.