Foundrywire

NEW YORK, NY – In life he conquered ignorance and asked Americans to dream; his death brought society to its knees. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a pivotal leader in the civil rights movement and an iconic symbol for change. Forty years after his assassination at age 39, a new History™ special, KING, with newsman Tom Brokaw, takes viewers on an unprecedented journey back in time and forward to today. KING goes beyond the legend to delve into the man, the questions, the myths and, most importantly, the relevance of Dr. King’s message in today’s world. This feature-length chronicle of the life of a man whose words still resonate to day will be available June 10 for $24.95SRP.

In a rare television interview, Dr. King’s son Martin Luther King III shares his memories and thoughts about his father in the special. In an insightful conversation with Brokaw, he talks about how he carries his father’s torch today by leading a new campaign against poverty called “Realizing the Dream.” During the interview, he takes Brokaw into the field to show him the devastating poverty still plaguing our nation.

Some of Dr. King’s closest confidants draw viewers inside his mind as he led the civil rights movement; and others from public life and entertainment speak about his indelible influence on their lives. Among those interviewed in the special are Andrew Young, Former President Bill Clinton, Harry Belafonte, Chuck D, Forest Whitaker, Rep. John Lewis and many others. KING brings to life many aspects of his unwavering fight for civil rights: his decision to join the bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama; the fateful march in Selma; his incarceration in Birmingham; the march on Washington; and his tragic death in Memphis. It shows his personal struggles and triumphs, moments of doubt and weakness, and his humility and humanity.

Lending a new perspective on King’s life, Brokaw, along with contemporaries who weigh in on King’s vibrant words against the backdrop of 21st century struggles, brings the civil rights battles of the ‘50s and’60s into focus with today’s realities. In addition to rare archival footage and in-depth interviews, KING also includes newly declassified FBI documents that show the civil rights leader was under constant surveillance until his untimely death. Music, too, plays a role in the program, just as it did in the civil rights movement. Rock star/activist Bono, who agreed to be interviewed, performs his famous 1984 song about King, “Pride (In the Name of Love)” and, in a remarkable first, John Legend performs a cover of the song, commissioned and recorded specifically for KING.

The “I Have A Dream!” speech may have been the pinnacle moment in King’s career, but the road to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial was rough. KING takes home viewers beyond the dream to discover the man in a compelling program that commemorates the man who created a movement – and paved the way to the future.

A&E Home Video, part of the Consumer Products Division of A&E Television Networks (AETN) is a video distributor of non-theatrical programming, featuring collectible DVD editions of the high quality programming from A&E Network and HISTORY™, as well as acquired classic programming. A&E Home Video brings the best of critically acclaimed entertainment presented in award-winning packaging to the special interest category. For more information about ordering these and other titles from the A&E Home Video Collection, call (212) 206-8600 (TRADE ONLY). Consumers please call 1-800-423-1212 (A&E). In addition to placing orders by phone, A&E Home Video products may be purchased over the World Wide Web at ShopAETV.com.