Good and rare documentary of the life of a Black revolutionary and political prisoner. Also, a very good introduction to the situation of Mumia Abu-Jamal for those who aren't very familiar with it. The film traces Abu-Jamal's biography from his early years to becoming conscious of injustices of racist and capitalist society to membership in the Black Panther Party to his later career as a radio journalist (and both radio and print journalist in jail). At the same time the movie doesn't go much into Abu-Jamal's case inasmuch as other movies have already done that. The work is well put-together technically. Is makes creative use of actors and actresses for roles for which there isn't (and can't be) any footage. Some of those roles, however, are over-acted. A number of academics and literary and other 'names' comment on his life and case. However, the film overly relies on this sort of celebrity testimony as opposed to that from voices of the grassroots. Well worth seeing.
32 Reviews
Thoughtful, provocative film
eduthie4 September 2013
The film presents the soul of Mumia against the backdrop of the city of brotherly love (Philadelphia) during a time of bigotry and violence against people of color. It examines how Mumia evolves into a warrior for justice rather than seeking to retry the crime in the media. It is a fascinating snapshot into an era that we think of being in the distant past and it is shocking to realize how close it still is. This is the story of a man who refuses to allow adversity to silence his voice. And it is the story of others who bear witness to his message. The message is especially relevant today with the emergence of racism in the form of voter rights acts that seek to once again suppress the voice of minorities. It is an absorbing story.... you really should see it.
Well-done but one-sided
hopey500011 October 2014
The movie is well-done showing Mumia to be a bright man and excellent writer. The movie excerpts speeches and writings presenting a compelling picture. Speaker after speaker discusses his impact.
That said, the movie is unabashedly one-sided. It appears he killed a policeman and an even-handed movie would have provided a section from the policeman's family discussing the devastation to her family. Indeed, in this debate, each side seems to ignore the other. Certainly a family has the right to speak of the devastating loss and to argue a murderer should not be given a platform.
Some of the political discussions are one-sided too. No one can or should defend slavery or segregation and it is a blight on our heritage. But one can argue that vigorous law enforcement has made some much better cities for Afro-Americans and whites alike. Is Detroit better today because of lax law enforcement.
The Harlem of 2010 after Mayor Guiliani law enforcement platform is better than the Harlem of 1975, with restaurants instead of drug-dens, museums, art galleries, and sundry stores instead of blighted buildings, jobs instead of desperation. White it is not perfect, New York is a far better city than nearby Newark or, probably in part because of vigorous law enforcement.
The movie does note the sad increase in prison population, disproportionately impacting black men. How do you create a reasonably safe society, benefiting both Afro-Americans and Whites, without consequences or prisons. The movie is long on creating straw men and talking about problems, less about realistic solutions. Jamal rightly says that with a large 7 digit prison population we need to develop some realistic way of improving their lives instead of just warehousing them. I did not see the movie as providing those realistic solutions.
The movie rightly chronicles and condemns the horrors of slavery and segregation. Whether that telling helps and why is a tougher question. Holocaust survivors saw burning of Jewish homes and businesses, starvation, beatings, murder, desecration of bodies. Many went on to be extraordinarily successful and live fulfilling lives. While they could never forget the murder of parents or brothers or sisters, they would put that aside as they lived impactful lives. Jamal teaches the opposite and one can debate how productive that really is. There are differences between the Holocaust survivors and the descendants of slaves principally that the former slave's children endured suffering for generations. But after remembering history, where do we go from here is a legitimate question. With thousands of laws and government programs the seeming suggestion of the movie is that more are needed which can be legitimately debated.
The movie makes sense for people to see and is reasonably well-done. it provokes more questions than it answers, raises more problems than it solves, and is as a one-sided as the views on the other side the movie condemns.
That said, the movie is unabashedly one-sided. It appears he killed a policeman and an even-handed movie would have provided a section from the policeman's family discussing the devastation to her family. Indeed, in this debate, each side seems to ignore the other. Certainly a family has the right to speak of the devastating loss and to argue a murderer should not be given a platform.
Some of the political discussions are one-sided too. No one can or should defend slavery or segregation and it is a blight on our heritage. But one can argue that vigorous law enforcement has made some much better cities for Afro-Americans and whites alike. Is Detroit better today because of lax law enforcement.
The Harlem of 2010 after Mayor Guiliani law enforcement platform is better than the Harlem of 1975, with restaurants instead of drug-dens, museums, art galleries, and sundry stores instead of blighted buildings, jobs instead of desperation. White it is not perfect, New York is a far better city than nearby Newark or, probably in part because of vigorous law enforcement.
The movie does note the sad increase in prison population, disproportionately impacting black men. How do you create a reasonably safe society, benefiting both Afro-Americans and Whites, without consequences or prisons. The movie is long on creating straw men and talking about problems, less about realistic solutions. Jamal rightly says that with a large 7 digit prison population we need to develop some realistic way of improving their lives instead of just warehousing them. I did not see the movie as providing those realistic solutions.
The movie rightly chronicles and condemns the horrors of slavery and segregation. Whether that telling helps and why is a tougher question. Holocaust survivors saw burning of Jewish homes and businesses, starvation, beatings, murder, desecration of bodies. Many went on to be extraordinarily successful and live fulfilling lives. While they could never forget the murder of parents or brothers or sisters, they would put that aside as they lived impactful lives. Jamal teaches the opposite and one can debate how productive that really is. There are differences between the Holocaust survivors and the descendants of slaves principally that the former slave's children endured suffering for generations. But after remembering history, where do we go from here is a legitimate question. With thousands of laws and government programs the seeming suggestion of the movie is that more are needed which can be legitimately debated.
The movie makes sense for people to see and is reasonably well-done. it provokes more questions than it answers, raises more problems than it solves, and is as a one-sided as the views on the other side the movie condemns.
Moving Experience!
mmoakland9 March 2013
I have seen a lot of films about the case surrounding the arrest and incarceration of Mumia Abu Jamal, but this film was refreshingly different. This movie was not only artfully done, but it was a good in-depth film about the soul of Mumia. Understanding where he comes from and how his natural curiosity about the wider world formed his political consciousness and drove him to a career in journalism with the pitfalls confronting truth-tellers and non-conformists in that world is fascinating. Mumia is a very complex man but a man with deep love for the truth and for freedom for everyone. I would not only recommend this film to my friends but I want to see it again and again.
Ignore the overall rating of this documentary
elizabethfaraone19 May 2013
The overall rating for this documentary is not an accurate accounting. Unfortunately, those who wanted to keep Mumia on death row are always actively trying to discredit him. When they caught wind of the existence of IMDb (not surprising it took so long), the ratings abruptly dropped. They don't have the intelligence required to understand Mumia's case or his humanitarian activism but they are master manipulators.
If you have been following Mumia as I have since the early 1980s, you will love this movie.
If you are not familiar with Mumia and are a humanitarian, you will love this movie. Follow it up with "Justice on Trial: Mumia Abu-Jamal" and "Mumia Abu-Jamal: A Case for Reasonable Doubt?".
To understand the crass and cruel assumptions of those who defame him, watch "The Barrel of a Gun."
If you have been following Mumia as I have since the early 1980s, you will love this movie.
If you are not familiar with Mumia and are a humanitarian, you will love this movie. Follow it up with "Justice on Trial: Mumia Abu-Jamal" and "Mumia Abu-Jamal: A Case for Reasonable Doubt?".
To understand the crass and cruel assumptions of those who defame him, watch "The Barrel of a Gun."
A documentary on the case and imprisonment of Mumia Abu Jamal
CDragon276 November 2013
I thought the documentary would be a dry, factual restating of the case. I was wrong. It pulsed with life, in the words of Mumia Abu Jamal, and in the many people who spoke from their hearts about the man, his case, and his effect on their lives. I learned more about the hidden history of this country. worth seeing and sharing. The fact that anyone, especially someone convicted on such flimsy and suspect evidence has been left in solitary is obscene. The way that Mr. Abu Jamal has not only retained his humanity, but is using his words to reach out and make a positive change in the world, is a lesson for us all. I was fortunate enough to also hear from the director of this powerful documentary, and his journey to gain access, and to bring this story to the world, also should be noted.
Fresh look at the man, not the case
berwickpatterson19 May 2013
Visually striking, Long Distance Revolutionary looks at the man behind the bars and not the "criminal." The movie covers Mumia's journalism career from the time he began writing as a young Black Panther all the way to the present while subtly making the case that this person may, in fact, be innocent; a political prisoner held captive by people who don't like his message. Mumia is certainly not the first and, unfortunately, won't be the last to suffer that fate.
The interviews are fascinating -- Cornel West among some of the best (but rare is the occasion when he's not). West and the rest do a great job of illustrating that the mindset that lynched blacks in the 50s and 60s has not completely gone away.
Overall, a completely different and fresh look at Mumia Abu-Jamal. Well worth a viewing.
The interviews are fascinating -- Cornel West among some of the best (but rare is the occasion when he's not). West and the rest do a great job of illustrating that the mindset that lynched blacks in the 50s and 60s has not completely gone away.
Overall, a completely different and fresh look at Mumia Abu-Jamal. Well worth a viewing.
A deep look into the heart of a revolutionary
stevenmorris23 May 2013
Emotions run strong whenever a police officer dies in the line of duty. Fellow officers, prosecutors, judges, in fact all of polite society becomes eager and hell-bent to find a perpetrator whom they can begin punishing as quickly and thoroughly as possible by any means available. Some individuals feel that if breaking the rules helps ensure a successful prosecution then it is perfectly acceptable to threaten witnesses, suppress contrary evidence; stack the juror pool, and read wrong parts of the law to them when they have questions, even threatening to sequester them over the 4th of July holiday weekend. After a successful conviction some of these same individuals feel it their God-given calling to suppress any word spoken on behalf of the convicted one, whether that calls for continued intimidation of would-be witnesses, disruptions of lawful protests, rants on hate-radio, or even a few words of ugliness on movie review sites. Previous movies have already explored the arrest and conviction of Mumia Abu Jamal. Long Distance Revolutionary is not about that. Instead, it is a memoir of the person, Abu Jamal. Director Stephen Vittoria traces the entire life of Jamal, from his teenage roots, through his successful career as an NPR journalist, and on through 30 years of incarceration. Viewers can draw their own conclusions, but it soon becomes obvious that Jamal's annoying habit of clearly exposing political corruption made him a target that had to be silenced. Despite relentless repression Jamal has continued to speak and write about the same subjects that have always been his passion. Long Distance Revolutionary brings this man to life for a new generation that knows little or nothing of his struggle, and in this film we are privileged to view his inner being, to look into the soul of a gentle, but hated man who has never wavered from his quest for what is right.
The facts of the crime are lacking
JOgershok27 January 2014
The film initially presents some of the ire generated by the murder of officer Danial Faulkner. According to the testimony of three witness, Mumia Abu Jamal, born Wesley Cook, initially shot the police officer in the back when Faulkner made a traffic stop of the brother, William Cook. After the officer returned fire he was killed by Mumia who shot at him point blank. Only two guns were found at the scene, one registered to Mumia and the police officer's weapon. There was a bullet in Mumia from Officer Faulkner's weapon. Mumia was found by the responding officers sitting on the curb in front of Wm. Cook's vehicle with the gun registered to him next to him with all five cartridges spent. When ordered to freeze by Officer Shoemaker, he raised the weapon and attempted to fire upon the officers who used other than deadly force to subdue him. The officer kicked him in the throat and kicked the gun away. Bullets which caused the officer's death were damaged but consistent with those fired from the weapon registered to Mumia. All witnesses at the scene identified the now wounded Mumia as the shooter of the police officer. The brother, clearly an eye witness, refused to testify but when police arrived Wm. Cook exclaimed, "I ain't got nothing to do with this." At the hospital Mumia stated, "I shot the mother f---er and I hope the mother f---er dies." These facts are missing from the presentation but the alleged reasons for Mumia's revolutionary positions and his influences are detailed. Likewise a case is made as to why Mumia had found himself a under the microscope of law enforcement and failed to maintain full time employment as a journalist is adequately presented. His writings are presented by many of his supporters as well as their interactions with him. Clearly this is an educated, articulate person with a revolutionary spirit. Many of his accomplishments are presented as well as honors which were bestowed upon him during his time on Pennsylvania's death row. The film erroneously claims his death warrant was signed in retaliation. The reality is that Governor Casey, who was opposed to capitol punishment and abortion, refused to sign any warrants during the eight (8) years he was governor of Pennsylvania. While then candidate for governor, Tom Ridge made signing death warrants a campaign pledge. Clearly this film is meant to rehabilitate the image of this cop killer without presenting the irrefutable evidence of guilt.
A POWERFUL and EYE-OPENING documentary
laurengural28 July 2013
I grew up in the Philadelphia area, and both of my parents were born and raised in Philadelphia as well, so I was more than familiar with Mumia's story. That is - the one the media wants you to know.
I never really gave it much thought. As a child and teen, I just assumed, rather ignorantly, that what I was told was true. I also never understood why everyone was so interested in the case after so many years and a conviction had passed. But as I grew, I was able to educate myself more, and in doing so my opinions changed.
The best documentaries are the ones that draw emotions. If, afterwords, I don't feel angered or inspired or enlightened, then the doc and the filmmakers didn't do what they intended. There is nothing worse than a bad doc, but there is nothing better than a great one. Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu Jamal is a GREAT documentary. It made me angry, it made me sad, and it made me what to run out of the movie theater and DO something.
What I loved about the doc, besides it's ability to draw emotions from viewers, is that it told a story that we aren't familiar with. If you're familiar with Mumia, then you know all about the case, so 2 hours worth of "this-is-why-he's-innocent" really wouldn't have swayed you one way or the other. But Steve took a different, and I believe more powerful, route, to tell Mumia's story. He showed us the Mumia that our media and government want to silence, and by doing so, Steve has given Mumia an even more powerful voice.
I never really gave it much thought. As a child and teen, I just assumed, rather ignorantly, that what I was told was true. I also never understood why everyone was so interested in the case after so many years and a conviction had passed. But as I grew, I was able to educate myself more, and in doing so my opinions changed.
The best documentaries are the ones that draw emotions. If, afterwords, I don't feel angered or inspired or enlightened, then the doc and the filmmakers didn't do what they intended. There is nothing worse than a bad doc, but there is nothing better than a great one. Long Distance Revolutionary: A Journey with Mumia Abu Jamal is a GREAT documentary. It made me angry, it made me sad, and it made me what to run out of the movie theater and DO something.
What I loved about the doc, besides it's ability to draw emotions from viewers, is that it told a story that we aren't familiar with. If you're familiar with Mumia, then you know all about the case, so 2 hours worth of "this-is-why-he's-innocent" really wouldn't have swayed you one way or the other. But Steve took a different, and I believe more powerful, route, to tell Mumia's story. He showed us the Mumia that our media and government want to silence, and by doing so, Steve has given Mumia an even more powerful voice.
Manufacturing Guilt
a_baron29 January 2014
This is a review only of the "bonus" film "Manufacturing Guilt".
This film is total fantasy. Right at the beginning we are told that Abu-Jamal was a journalist; the reality is that by the time he murdered Officer Daniel Faulkner he was driving a cab for a living, having thrown away a promising career in radio by his failure to distinguish reporting from advocacy.
Judge Yohn did not overturn his death sentence as "illegally imposed". In his 2001 appeal, Abu-Jamal's lawyers raised no fewer than 29 claims; in his minutely detailed two-hundred-and-seventy page judgment, Yohn dismissed all but one of those claims but granted a certificate of appealability for a resentencing hearing. This was a purely technical decision; the only illegality throughout these proceedings has been by the defense from the murder of Daniel Faulkner to the deluge of perjured testimony and fantastic fabrications that continue to this day.
There follows the usual garbage about "innocent" Mumia, how for example blacks were allegedly kept off the jury. To which even Angela Davis might be tempted to reply "So what?" on account of an all-white jury acquitting her in her controversial trial way back in the 1970s.
Anyone who is taken in or tempted to be taken in by this garbage should read the trial transcript, which like all the other transcripts and much else beside can be found on the dedicated Daniel Faulkner website.
Abu-Jamal's 2001 "declaration" of innocence is read here verbatim. The time to make such a declaration was at his trial; he didn't, and neither did his brother William Cook, who witnessed the crime and whose only testimony at the time was "I ain't got nothing to do with this." That is true, but unfortunately for Abu-Jamal, he cannot honestly make the same claim.
This film is total fantasy. Right at the beginning we are told that Abu-Jamal was a journalist; the reality is that by the time he murdered Officer Daniel Faulkner he was driving a cab for a living, having thrown away a promising career in radio by his failure to distinguish reporting from advocacy.
Judge Yohn did not overturn his death sentence as "illegally imposed". In his 2001 appeal, Abu-Jamal's lawyers raised no fewer than 29 claims; in his minutely detailed two-hundred-and-seventy page judgment, Yohn dismissed all but one of those claims but granted a certificate of appealability for a resentencing hearing. This was a purely technical decision; the only illegality throughout these proceedings has been by the defense from the murder of Daniel Faulkner to the deluge of perjured testimony and fantastic fabrications that continue to this day.
There follows the usual garbage about "innocent" Mumia, how for example blacks were allegedly kept off the jury. To which even Angela Davis might be tempted to reply "So what?" on account of an all-white jury acquitting her in her controversial trial way back in the 1970s.
Anyone who is taken in or tempted to be taken in by this garbage should read the trial transcript, which like all the other transcripts and much else beside can be found on the dedicated Daniel Faulkner website.
Abu-Jamal's 2001 "declaration" of innocence is read here verbatim. The time to make such a declaration was at his trial; he didn't, and neither did his brother William Cook, who witnessed the crime and whose only testimony at the time was "I ain't got nothing to do with this." That is true, but unfortunately for Abu-Jamal, he cannot honestly make the same claim.
Inspiring and challenging
antiracistaction_la6 March 2013
This film avoids the well-trodden tale of Mumia's frame-up and the injustices done to him, and instead situates his life in the span of history he has lived through and addressed, from his childhood, through his young adulthood and early professional journalism, and on through his valiant efforts to stay connected and relevant to history and society despite his isolation on Death Row. Let's the facts speak for themselves on the cowardice of National "Public" Radio. The film features readings from Mumia's numerous books, audio of some of his commentaries, extensive interviews with people who "knew him when," including his sister, and some dramatizations of his relationships with his family, including a moving tribute to his mother, and a painful scene with his daughter, who is finally able to visit but prevented from touching him by a wall of glass. Well worth seeing more than once.
One of the most thoughtful and engaging political documentaries in recent years
ekatz572 August 2013
This new film by director Stephen Vittoria, whose previous film was an excellent documentary about George McGovern, is easily one of the most thoughtful and engaging political documentaries that I have seen in recent years. For three decades, while he was on death row (until late 2011), African-American activist and journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal had become widely known as an international symbol of the immoral nature of capital punishment in America, as well as of the pervasive institutional racism too often found throughout the U.S. justice system. Furthermore, Abu-Jamal, a former National Public Radio reporter and former president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists, has been widely respected by many progressive readers for his continuing ability to write articles and books brimming with more social insight from within prison walls than most mainstream journalists are able to compose from the outside. But despite his international renown (including the controversy of that renown in conservative circles), not very much was commonly known about Mumia Abu-Jamal the person, or about the evolution of his world views. Through lively archival footage and through interviews with Abu-Jamal, with family and friends, and with some of our country's best progressive historians and political authors like Cornel West, Alice Walker, Amy Goodman, Michelle Alexander, Juan Gonzales, and former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, this terrific film provides a full and compelling portrait of Mumia Abu-Jamal's life story and places his history as an activist and journalist into the context of recent civil rights and human rights movements. Anyone interested in contemporary progressive politics or in modern liberation movements should not miss this important film!
The DVD version comes with a riveting 25-minute companion piece, Manufacturing Guilt, which makes the most comprehensive and persuasive case that I have seen for Abu-Jamal's likely innocence of the crime of which he was accused, the shooting in 1981 of a Philadelphia police officer. Manufacturing Guilt recounts the witness tampering, the withholding of exculpatory evidence, the lack of any physical evidence tying Abu-Jamal to the crime, and some near-certain lies by key police officers that were at the core of Abu-Jamal's original conviction. It also describes compelling new evidence that has come to light in the ensuing years, including a witness who has come forward to say that he saw the shooter that night and it was not Mumia Abu-Jamal, a revealing re-examination of the original crime scene photos, and another man's actual confession to the crime. After watching this feature film and its companion DVD piece, I am more curious than ever to see what will happen next in Abu-Jamal's ongoing legal appeals process, now that his sentence was commuted in late 2011 from the death penalty to life without parole, and now that his legal team will have to continue to try to figure out how to get the courts to finally acknowledge that Abu-Jamal's original trial was grossly unfair, and that he deserves to be retried or freed.
The DVD version comes with a riveting 25-minute companion piece, Manufacturing Guilt, which makes the most comprehensive and persuasive case that I have seen for Abu-Jamal's likely innocence of the crime of which he was accused, the shooting in 1981 of a Philadelphia police officer. Manufacturing Guilt recounts the witness tampering, the withholding of exculpatory evidence, the lack of any physical evidence tying Abu-Jamal to the crime, and some near-certain lies by key police officers that were at the core of Abu-Jamal's original conviction. It also describes compelling new evidence that has come to light in the ensuing years, including a witness who has come forward to say that he saw the shooter that night and it was not Mumia Abu-Jamal, a revealing re-examination of the original crime scene photos, and another man's actual confession to the crime. After watching this feature film and its companion DVD piece, I am more curious than ever to see what will happen next in Abu-Jamal's ongoing legal appeals process, now that his sentence was commuted in late 2011 from the death penalty to life without parole, and now that his legal team will have to continue to try to figure out how to get the courts to finally acknowledge that Abu-Jamal's original trial was grossly unfair, and that he deserves to be retried or freed.
Excellent chronicle of one of the most important thinkers of the 21st Century
staajabu10 July 2013
Because of Mumia Abu-Jamal's honesty and integrity, not to mention his gift of communicating through the medium of writing and broadcast journalism, this film is crucial is bringing information to the world audience of his humble beginnings and his consistent search for truth and justice.
Since I've known him since the early days of WRTI in Philly and have been an ardent fan of his for many years, I can attest to the film's accuracy and historical validity. Great job done for a great cause. Mumia Abu-Jamal must be set free.
Much respect, staajabu
Since I've known him since the early days of WRTI in Philly and have been an ardent fan of his for many years, I can attest to the film's accuracy and historical validity. Great job done for a great cause. Mumia Abu-Jamal must be set free.
Much respect, staajabu
10/10 - Very Well Presented And Keeps Your Attention!
tptotalpackage6 November 2013
All I literally watch are documentaries.... besides a small handful of other shows, Sanford & Son, King Of Queens, Breaking Bad etc. I know a thing or two about documentaries, and I must say Long Distance Revolutionary is one of my favorites! It's obvious that time and organization went into the making of the film. It boggles my mind, and is beyond ridiculous that the ratings would be as low as they currently are. It seems like a concerted effort was made on behalf of the Anti-Mumia camp to "low-vote" this film. Disregard the reviews and decide for yourself if it's your cup of tea or not. 10/10 in my opinion. For the anti-mumia crowd, who naively believes the "official story", remember.... The Best Indicator of A Future Behavior, Is A Past Behavior. There have political prisoners in the past, and will be more in the future. Cointelpro is NOT a conspiracy theory. Use your better judgement, and look outside of the box.
A magnificent artistic journey through Mumia Abu Jamal's life!
carolp679818 August 2013
Mumia Abu Jamal: Long Distance Revolutionary is a magnificent artistic journey through Mumia's life. It spotlights his talent, brilliance, and perseverance in the face of insurmountable odds. It shows the absurdist Kafkaesque tragedy that our criminal justice system has become. A former Black Panther and a leftist journalist Mumia had a perspective that challenged the status quo and made his capture and silencing an imperative to the FBI and the Philadelphia police under the iron fist of Frank Rizzo. Filmmaker Stephen Vittoria brings out Mumia's humanity while never losing sight of the racial and class politics so intrinsic to Mumia's message of love to the world. Cornel West says Mumia is a long distance revolutionary because of his love for and dedication to humanity. He says Mumia is a blues man to the life of the mind, and a jazz man of ideas. Vittoria makes these musical allusions vivid in the film. He does this under the severe constraints set by the Pennsylvania prison system. He was not allowed to film Mumia, yet managed to use stills and vintage footage to maximum effect. The audience comes away from the film knowing they have experienced a truly remarkable man. Vittoria tells us that Mumia is so remarkable Paris has designated him an honorary citizen, and St. Denis, France, the city of kings, has named a street after him. This movie doesn't address the question of Mumia's actual guilt or innocence, but in a companion feature on the DVD , "Manufacturing Guilt", Vittoria shows how the evidence against Mumia was heavily fabricated. Fundamental police procedures such as testing for explosives on his hands that would indicate whether or not he had recently fired a gun were not done. At the same time a witness was coerced into giving a false confession which she later recanted. On appeal the evidence from Mumia's trial proved so flimsy, he was removed from death row after 30 years.
Superb film about Mumia Abu-Jamal - the person, NOT the case.
rbwpeaceandfreedom30 October 2013
"Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary" is an excellent depiction of Mumia Abu-Jamal as the brave activist, eloquent journalist and admirable human being he truly is. Unlike previous documentaries about Mumia Abu-Jamal, which focus primarily on his case, Stephen Vittoria's film focuses on the life and work of Abu-Jamal himself -- and in so doing, shows the real motive of those who have tried to silence him forever. Mumia Abu-Jamal is one of the finest minds of my generation -- a brilliant writer, commentator and media critic who was targeted for a hit by the Philadelphia police for reporting on police brutality, railroaded to a murder conviction for surviving the cops' attempt to kill him, and condemned to die in prison for his dissident politics. I urge all people who believe in the American promises of freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of association to watch "Long Distance Revolutionary." This great film deserves the widest possible audience – and Mumia Abu-Jamal deserves to be free NOW!
Mumia as you might not know him.
glm19171 November 2013
Although i thought I knew a lot about the case of Mumia Abu-jamal, i knew that he was innocent. I knew that he was framed by the DA, mayor and the Philadelphia police department. I knew that his trial was a travesty with the judge a member of the FOP and quoted having made racist statements about Mumia. I knew that witnesses had been threatened and coerced. Like i said, I knew a lot. I knew he was innocent and that someone else even confessed to the crime. I learned a great deal about the man Mumia and not just the political figure. Mumia's brilliance and insight has flowered behind prison walls and through tremendous disadvantage. I thank the director, Stephen Vittoria for his sensitive work in taking on this controversial story. I have seen it in theaters and own the DVD.
Mumia: An outstanding documentary
rossrhart3 September 2013
This film is a real eye opener. Mumia is a must see for every American. For those who already understand what lengths the government machine can and does go to in order to suppress revolutionary voices and actions, it adds fuel to the smoldering fire. To those who don't already understand, let's hope it is a small ray of sunshine piercing the elaborate red, white and blue smoke and mirror environment you have been brought up with and swallowed hook, line and sinker. Incredibly well researched and brilliantly executed by Stephen Vittoria, a documentary filmmaker at the very top of his game, Mumia is populated by a who's who of revolutionary thinkers who bring their thoughtful commentary to bear on this important subject. The subject of the film, Mumia Abu-Jamal, is nothing less than a universal thinker, philosopher and visionary. Mumia can extemporize and speak on virtually any subject or event without research or calculation at a higher and more thorough and profound level than most PHDs could if given a week in the central library to prepare to address a topic. Mumia thinks and speaks in an improvisational manner that can only be analogized to the riffs of jazz greats Coltrane, Davis and Monk. Don't miss it and watch it twice.
A truly great movie ....
MitchelCohen8 November 2013
Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary is a wonderful, humane picture of one of the most important progressive figures of our day.
The film focuses on Mumia's life and work, and not as much on the trial that sent him to death-row for more than 27 years.
Mumia remains imprisoned, and it was only the protests of tens of thousands of people around the world that has thus far stayed the Executioner's blade (so to speak).
Go see this film!
Mitchel Cohen Brooklyn Greens/Green Party, and former Chair, WBAI radio (99.5 FM in NYC) Local Station Board
The film focuses on Mumia's life and work, and not as much on the trial that sent him to death-row for more than 27 years.
Mumia remains imprisoned, and it was only the protests of tens of thousands of people around the world that has thus far stayed the Executioner's blade (so to speak).
Go see this film!
Mitchel Cohen Brooklyn Greens/Green Party, and former Chair, WBAI radio (99.5 FM in NYC) Local Station Board
Excellent profile of a controversial figure
EAllen20878 November 2013
Whether you believe in his guilt or innocence, you'll find Mumia a fascinating presence while watching this film. For the millions who've heard his name, but have had their opinions and impressions of him filtered through a lens of news reports, pro-police protests and bloodlust for his execution, as well as those who've only come to know him through his best-selling books or by attending "Free Mumia" rallies, this provides a more intimate look. This film captures the elements of his experience that resulted in activism and personal convictions, and makes clear the reasons that he has been opposed by so many -- beyond the obvious conviction and label of "cop killer."
A One Man Revolution
johnpoconnor8 November 2013
What is so incredible to me about "Mumia: Long Distance Revolutionary" is that against all odds -- from decades of isolation on death row -- that Mumia has persisted so elegantly at being what he always was, a righter of wrongs. His body of work -- his numerous books, essays and commentaries distributed by Prison Radio -- rank him in a class by himself when it comes to fighting for human rights and the dignity of man. He's the greatest example I've ever come across of a person the government wanted so badly to silence and could not. The documentary shows him to be the one-man revolutionary who comes along once a generation. More than anything, the documentary shows what a terrible loss society has sustained by keeping Mumia imprisoned under the bleakest of conditions for over 40 years.
My only regret is that the documentary did not make the overwhelming case for Mumia's innocence or show how our so-called justice system has failed him at every turn. Mumia's trial was contaminated with numerous constitutional violations that should have merited him a new trial many years ago. A documentary on that -- as well as his outright innocence -- subject is long overdo.
My only regret is that the documentary did not make the overwhelming case for Mumia's innocence or show how our so-called justice system has failed him at every turn. Mumia's trial was contaminated with numerous constitutional violations that should have merited him a new trial many years ago. A documentary on that -- as well as his outright innocence -- subject is long overdo.
inspiring documentary on a very important revolutionary
ematos-839-3392448 November 2013
Warning: Spoilers
This documentary takes you on a journey with Mumia, the main character, and his love of family, work, people, and what it means to have to struggle as a revolutionary in an open racist society. This story shares a lot about his educational, political and occupational formation, and brings to light an intellectual who takes very seriously his professional career as a journalist. One is able to understand that Mumia never ever gives up even under very repressive and horrendous conditions, and influences you to do the same, which is good. His love for reading, writing and learning is evident in this story. His love for everything that denotes struggling and mass movements organized against the repressive apparatus clearly illuminates his self-determination to press forward with the truth and not to cave into despair and darkness which the system wants to force on him.
This documentary stirs the mind and imagination, what is mentally weak is force and repression, and what is mentally strong is depicted as being under extreme surviellance and repression. One can see how the repressive forces in society conspire against unity and ties of solidarity, and how they tear to pieces family ties through organized crime and murder(Manufacturing Guilt). Mumia's thousands of commentaries are recorded and broadcasted by www.prisonradio.org. There, at that website, one can become educated in a quick span of time, and this contribution somehow offsets the gap in the educational infracstructure. This whole documentary is a journey also through the real love of learning and wanting a decent society where everyone is elevated to succeed in a positive way. See this documentary and you will see other living intellectuals who are part of the progressive historical makeup of the United States express their genuine and loving feelings towards Mumia. Of course others in this film express their negative feelings. Overall, this documentary is very revealing of what it is to struggle and support a family, and get treated malevolently and shafted by the power structure all because one is a bright and shining force for people the world over.And one of the top notched journalist and radio broadcaster in the whole universe.
This documentary stirs the mind and imagination, what is mentally weak is force and repression, and what is mentally strong is depicted as being under extreme surviellance and repression. One can see how the repressive forces in society conspire against unity and ties of solidarity, and how they tear to pieces family ties through organized crime and murder(Manufacturing Guilt). Mumia's thousands of commentaries are recorded and broadcasted by www.prisonradio.org. There, at that website, one can become educated in a quick span of time, and this contribution somehow offsets the gap in the educational infracstructure. This whole documentary is a journey also through the real love of learning and wanting a decent society where everyone is elevated to succeed in a positive way. See this documentary and you will see other living intellectuals who are part of the progressive historical makeup of the United States express their genuine and loving feelings towards Mumia. Of course others in this film express their negative feelings. Overall, this documentary is very revealing of what it is to struggle and support a family, and get treated malevolently and shafted by the power structure all because one is a bright and shining force for people the world over.And one of the top notched journalist and radio broadcaster in the whole universe.
Documentary dense with provocative ideas
thoroswet_311 November 2013
Most of what I would say about the great value of this film has been eloquently covered by earlier reviewers. I found that I got far more out of the documentary on the second viewing--the editing is tight, so almost every statement by the commentators gives the viewer/listener something to chew on, and, as a result, one can miss a few succeeding ideas while one is digesting any given idea. I'm confident that the documentary could easily bear a rewarding 3rd and 4th viewing. It's a real feast of stimulating insights, in other words.
I think it would be wise for viewers who are completely new to the subject to learn a little about the facts of the case before seeing the documentary. The film's value lies in its focusing on the political factors influencing Mumia's development as an internationally influential revolutionary in the most powerful of all capitalist states. While one does not NEED detailed information on the chain of events leading to his frame-up and incarceration in order to appreciate the film, questions related to his legal situation are bound to arise for the uninitiated. There are fine documentaries and books that address the facts of the trial as argued by the defense and prosecution at length, but it should suffice a complete newcomer just to find a brief chronology of events and summary of political factors before seeing this particular documentary.
The film is truly exceptional. Both the activist and the merely curious should embrace its unique contribution to our understanding of the world we live in and the need to resist the oppression that characterizes this epoch in history. Many, many thanks to the makers and producers of this wonderful documentary and, of course, to Mumia and MOVE!
I think it would be wise for viewers who are completely new to the subject to learn a little about the facts of the case before seeing the documentary. The film's value lies in its focusing on the political factors influencing Mumia's development as an internationally influential revolutionary in the most powerful of all capitalist states. While one does not NEED detailed information on the chain of events leading to his frame-up and incarceration in order to appreciate the film, questions related to his legal situation are bound to arise for the uninitiated. There are fine documentaries and books that address the facts of the trial as argued by the defense and prosecution at length, but it should suffice a complete newcomer just to find a brief chronology of events and summary of political factors before seeing this particular documentary.
The film is truly exceptional. Both the activist and the merely curious should embrace its unique contribution to our understanding of the world we live in and the need to resist the oppression that characterizes this epoch in history. Many, many thanks to the makers and producers of this wonderful documentary and, of course, to Mumia and MOVE!
An exciting and compelling documentary.
jrcamp869 November 2013
This film is about Mumia Abu-Jamal and does an amazing job of humanizing him. It chronicles his life and provides incite into many aspects of American culture. The film includes interviews with supporters and opponents of Mumia and it allows the viewer to draw his/her own conclusion. His story is a story of American history that should be told and retold. This film does a great job of condensing his story into a fascinating and exciting time slot.
After watching this film you cannot deny how special of a person Mumia Abu-Jamal is. The world would be a better place if more people watched this film.
After watching this film you cannot deny how special of a person Mumia Abu-Jamal is. The world would be a better place if more people watched this film.
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