4 Little Girls

Name: 4 Little Girls
Genre: History, Documentary
Released: July 9, 1997
Duration: 102 min
Rating: 88
Cast: Chris McNair, Fred Shuttlesworth, Howell Raines, Maxine McNair, Wamo Reed Robertson

1997

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	Your Score
7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

HBO Documentary | Release Date: July 9, 1997 | Not Rated

Starring: Chris McNair, Fred Shuttlesworth, Howell Raines, Maxine McNair, Wamo Reed Robertson, Wyatt Tee Walker

Summary: On September 15, 1963, a bomb destroyed a black church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four young girls who were there for Sunday school. It was a crime that shocked the nation -- and a defining moment in the history of America's civil-rights movement. Now, acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee tells the full story of the bombing, throughOn September 15, 1963, a bomb destroyed a black church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four young girls who were there for Sunday school. It was a crime that shocked the nation -- and a defining moment in the history of America's civil-rights movement. Now, acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee tells the full story of the bombing, through heart-wrenching testimonials from surviving members of the victims' families, insights from Bill Cosby, Walter Cronkite, Andrew Young, Coretta Scott King and many others, and a rare and revealing interview with former Alabama Governor George Wallace. [HBO Documentary Films]… Expand

Director: Spike Lee

Genre(s): History, Documentary

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 102 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Mike Clark

This subject demands consummate screen treatment and now has absolutely gotten it from director/producer Spike Lee. [10 Jul 1997, Pg.02.D]

100

David Sterritt

The film's approach is highly instructive, deeply moving, and geared to deploring the racism that breeds violence rather than reactivating old hatreds. Read full review

100

Roger Ebert

There is mostly sadness and regret at the surface in 4 Little Girls, but there is anger in the depths, as there should be. Read full review

James Berardinelli

It is Lee's job as a film maker to imbue these images with life, and that's a task he easily accomplishes. Read full review

Elvis Mitchell

Mr. Lee, whose lean, straightforward documentary style loses none of his usual clarity and fire (the film has been exceptionally well shot by Ellen Kuras), summons a powerful sense of Birmingham's past and a galvanizing sense of how this bombing would change its future. Read full review

Robert Lloyd

The film is artfully made, its occasional excesses of style moderated by the plain force of the content and the passion of the testimony. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

Lee's tough decision to include photos of the victims' smashed-up bodies was probably correct, but adding 'soulful' music to some of the interviews was more questionable. Read full review

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User Reviews

KarinD.

Dec 20, 2006

This was a powerful movie that drew you into it. This story was mentioned in school, but writer/producer Spike Lee made you feel a part of it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

joomjim4

Jun 18, 2012

A great documentary which possessed an overwhelmingly touching story by representing life of these 4 girls in such great depth that it raises much of a despair yet provoking a sense of compassion and anger to the viewers. A Profoundly Conventional Film.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

shy191

Jun 18, 2012

There is not a thing went wrong in this exceptionally engrossing documentary from Spike Lee. The story was so personal in a way that it raises such anger for these innocent girls. Magnificent film.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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4	#4 Best Movie of 1997
90	#90 Most Discussed Movie of 1997
64	#64 Most Shared Movie of 1997