The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till
THINKFilm | Release Date: August 17, 2005 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
80
METASCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews
Positive:
14
Mixed:
2
Negative:
0
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
100
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Required viewing for anyone interested in the struggle for American racial equality. Read full review
90
SalonAndrew O'Hehir
A vital documentary in the truest sense. Read full review
90
Village VoiceJoshua Land
A triumph of documentary activism nine years in the making. Read full review
90
The Hollywood ReporterFrank Scheck
There is no denying the emotional impact of the story, which is powerfully conveyed in this important, deeply moving documentary. Read full review
88
New York PostKyle Smith
Expect a sequel -- perhaps one with a more satisfying conclusion. Read full review
88
New York Daily NewsJack Mathews
It is a devastating indictment of the ruling class of Money, Miss. Read full review
83
Portland OregonianShawn Levy
Stirring and haunting. Read full review
80
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
Superior in every respect to the PBS documentary "The Murder of Emmett Till." Read full review
80
VarietyRonnie Scheib
Now, 50 years later, the Justice Department has decided to reopen the case, due largely to Keith Beauchamp's documentary, which contains testimony from hitherto unseen witnesses. Read full review
80
The New York TimesStephen Holden
Because federal indictments for conspiracy to murder have yet to be handed down, the documentary is necessarily discreet about naming names and detailing its evidence. A sequel would go a long way toward solving the documentary's many unanswered questions. Read full review
75
Chicago TribuneRobert K. Elder
If you don't believe film can change the world, you haven't seen the documentary The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till. Read full review
75
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
Beauchamp's film has an earnest solemnity that is appropriate to the material. He has a lot of old black and white TV and newsreel footage, including shots of the accused men before, during and after their trial. Read full review
75
Philadelphia InquirerCarrie Rickey
The heroine of this story is the eloquent Mamie Till-Mobley, Emmett's mother, who recalls her fight to have an open-casket funeral for her son. Read full review
70
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
Thankfully, it boasts a story that doesn't require a surplus of style to be compelling. Read full review
60
TV Guide MagazineKen Fox
Beauchamp reconstructs the actual crime with disturbing immediacy, and his treatment of how Till's death galvanized a country makes this short film a good way to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a crime that still has the power to outrage. Read full review
60
Washington PostNeely Tucker
You leave the theater feeling moved by a mother's courage, sickened by the crime and a little frustrated, wondering if this unquiet moment in our history will ever rest easy. Read full review
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