Deacons For Defense (2003)

"Deacons for Defense" (2003) was a made-for-television historical drama aired on Showtime. Bill Dukes directed the movie, and Richard Wesley and Frank Military wrote the teleplay based on the story by Michael D'Antonio. The film features an incredible cast starring Forest Whitaker, Ossie Davis, Paul Benjamin, Jonathan Silverman, Chris Britton, Gene Mack, and Tyrone Benskin.

The Deacons for Defense and Justice was an armed African-American self-defense group founded in November 1964, during the Civil Rights era in the United States, in the mill town of Jonesboro, Louisiana. The first affiliated chapter was in Bogalusa, Louisiana, where the film takes place. The Deacons for Defense consisted of World War II and Korean War vets dedicated to protecting their communities from violent attacks from the Klu Klux Klan. 

The movie offers a lot of historical context and does an excellent job highlighting the story of The Deacon for Defense and Justice. Bill Duke's incredible direction captures some of America's darkest moments and the perseverance of a group of people who would no longer accept injustice. I highly recommend this movie for viewing. It may sometimes be challenging to watch, but it's the truth of American history.

Director: Bill Duke

Writers: Richard Wesley, Frank Military, Michael D'Antonio

Starring Forest Whitaker, Chris Britton, Jonathan Silverman, Michael Deane, Ossie Davis, Gene Mack, Tyrone Benskin, Paul Benjamin, Mpho Koaho, Melanie Nicholls-King, Serena Lee, Khafre Armatrading, Adam Weine, Beau Starr, Paulino Nunes, Aaron Walpole, Boyd Banks, Timothy Burd

Storyline

In a nearly forgotten true story, "Deacon for Defense" is about a group of Black men who boldly took up arms against the Klu Klux Klan to protect their community during the Civil Rights era.

Go Down, Death! (1944)

Starring:

• Spencer Williams
• Myra D. Hemmings
• Samuel H. James
• Irene Campbell
• Eddye L. Houston

Storyline
A bar owner attempts to discredit the new preacher with whom he is feuding by framing him with a photograph showing him drinking with women with bad reputations. The bar owner's adoptive mother, a member of the minister's church, supports the preacher and gets the photographic prints. When the bar owner struggles with his mother for the prints, he accidentally kills her. After the preacher's funeral sermon, the bar owner's conscience drives him to his death. 

Spirit of Youth (1938)

Starring:

• Joe Louis
• Clarence Muse
• Edna Mae Harris
• Mae Turner
• Cleo Desmond
• Mantan Moreland
• Clarence Brooks

Storyline
This cautionary morality fable features real-life champion Joe Louis stretching his acting chops as up-and-coming boxer Joe Thomas. Mantan Moreland co-stars as Thomas' best friend and moral compass. Tempted and seduced by quick money, easy women and fast times, Thomas falls victim to the corruption of fame only to repent in the arms of his loving childhood sweetheart.