Our reviewers select and review the best independent and foreign films on amazon.com, cd universe, and netflix

Title: The Murder of Fred Hampton
Year: 1971
Writer and Director: Howard Alk
Stars: Fred Hampton, Rennie Davis, Edward Hanrahan

The Story: What do you do when the subject of the documentary you’re making gets assassinated halfway through? You intercut an expose of the murderers with the inspiring footage you have of the dead man. The life and death of this charming 21-year-old Black Panther makes for one of the most jaw-dropping and edifying documentaries I’ve ever seen.

Why It’s Great: As chilling as it is to watch the post-murder scenes, the most fascinating footage is the mock trial Hampton holds for himself as a piece of political agitprop before his death. Amazingly, Hampton gives himself a thoughtful trial filled with real-world give and take, designed to make his audience think, not feel. The actual justice system, on the other hand, shot first and asked no questions later in this case. This movie takes everything you think you know about the Panthers and turns it on its head. There’s also a great scene where Hampton meets with two other revolutionaries who want his support. To their surprise, he skeptically dissects their shaky program point-by-point. His criticisms are extremely smart, yet delivered with his usual swaggering humor. In response, they scoff, “The reason we don’t do a lot of talking is because what you say is a foregone conclusion with us.” He cocks a slight smile, and then shoots back “Yeah, well, the reason I do do a lot of talking is that nothing is a foregone conclusion with me.” Now that is a dangerous man.

Three more reasons at Cockeyed Caravan.