This is an exceptional film about the American suffrage movement. While I've seen a few other shows about this, this episode of "The American Experience" is incredibly thorough and expertly crafted. Susan Sarandon narrates and there are various interviews along with the usual use of stock photos and early film. The show is quite inspiring.
Now about my summary. I am a recently retired history teacher and have long thought Woodrow Wilson was one of the most despicable men in American history. Not only did he push the US into WWI when we should have stayed out, but he had one of the worst records on human rights of any President--perhaps the worst. And, considering he was an incredibly well-educated professor and head of Princeton University, you know he knew better. During WWI, he jailed anyone who disagreed with the war and also was content with the view "Birth of a Nation" gave of the KKK (while reports about what he said about it are untrue, he DID view the film and never spoke out against it). But, before seeing this show, I had no idea what a monster he was when it came to the suffragettes. When they were protesting quietly outside the White House for the right to vote during WWI, he ordered them arrested on trumped up charges and they were horribly brutalized in prison! What a creep! And, in this sense, the film was a rousing success, as it really got my blood boiling--seeing how the ladies' First Amendment rights were being completely trampled upon (as well as their Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights).
All in all, the film really struck a chord. Three cheers for these brave ladies and three cheers for this expertly crafted show! "Woman's Bible" Wilson--sob and perverter of justice
Now about my summary. I am a recently retired history teacher and have long thought Woodrow Wilson was one of the most despicable men in American history. Not only did he push the US into WWI when we should have stayed out, but he had one of the worst records on human rights of any President--perhaps the worst. And, considering he was an incredibly well-educated professor and head of Princeton University, you know he knew better. During WWI, he jailed anyone who disagreed with the war and also was content with the view "Birth of a Nation" gave of the KKK (while reports about what he said about it are untrue, he DID view the film and never spoke out against it). But, before seeing this show, I had no idea what a monster he was when it came to the suffragettes. When they were protesting quietly outside the White House for the right to vote during WWI, he ordered them arrested on trumped up charges and they were horribly brutalized in prison! What a creep! And, in this sense, the film was a rousing success, as it really got my blood boiling--seeing how the ladies' First Amendment rights were being completely trampled upon (as well as their Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights).
All in all, the film really struck a chord. Three cheers for these brave ladies and three cheers for this expertly crafted show! "Woman's Bible" Wilson--sob and perverter of justice
