DVD,DVD + 3-Year Site/Local Streaming and Three-Year Site/Local Streaming Renewal
117 minutes, 2001 Producer/Director: William Greaves
ABOUT THE FILM
Dr. Ralph Johnson Bunche (1903-1971) was a statesman, peace negotiator, leading intellectual and scholar, and the first person of color to win the Nobel Peace Prize. An African American who overcame racial prejudice and poverty to become Undersecretary General of the United Nations, Bunche's life offers a unique window on many key issues and historical events that took place during the middle of the 20th century. This award-winning two-hour documentary film, narrated by Sidney Poitier, tells the story of his life and times.
Bunche was a political scientist, educator and civil rights activist during the 1930s. He played a key role in the founding of the United Nations in San Francisco in 1946. In 1949, he successfully mediated four Middle East Armistice agreements for which he received the 1950 Nobel Peace Prize. Bunche devoted the last 25 years of his life to the United Nations, working in the areas of de-colonization and international peacekeeping.
A director, producer, actor and writer, William Greaves' films have won over seventy international film festival awards including an Emmy. He served as executive producer and co-host of the pioneering 1960s network television series Black Journal. His complete filmography reveals that he has been one of the most prolific and eloquent African American voices in the media over the past three decades. For more information visit www.williamgreaves.com.
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CRITICAL COMMENT
"Ralph Bunche's historic life and extraordinary achievements are wonderfully documented in this film. I enthusiastically recommend it."
Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Harvard University
"A stunning film on the career of super diplomat Ralph Bunche is readily winning a place among the great screen biographies."
Erik Barnouw
"This superb documentary brings long overdue attention to a major historical figure. A highly recommended purchase for high school and public libraries."
School Library Journal
"We should restore Bunche's reputation not so much for his sake as for our own. His fall from prominence is tragic, but the loss is much more ours than his."
Arnold Rampersad, Dean of Humanities, Stanford University
