JFK & LBJ: A Time for Greatness

Gr 9 Up—President John F. Kennedy's dignified and charismatic nature was effectively complemented by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson's political passion and larger-than-life Texas persona, and both men were deeply committed to the goals of the civil rights movement. The first 30 minutes of the film set the stage, laying out Kennedy's efforts to pass the Civil Rights Act and the aftermath of his assassination. The last hour belongs fully to LBJ and his maneuvering, in front of and behind the scenes, to make sure the Civil Rights Act passed without dilution by amendments. The program argues that LBJ was not coasting along on the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others but was a driving force behind civil rights protection for every American. The film primarily focuses on Johnson and his political tactics immediately after the assassination (hiring a black woman for his staff) and in the long term. Although the actor who portrays LBJ in several reenactments does not closely resemble him, when he voices LBJ's words, based on secret White House recordings, it is clear the president's commitment to civil rights came from the heart. The film is narrated by Morgan Freeman and includes extensive commentary by Rep. John Lewis (particularly notable) and others. LBJ's early career and the Vietnam War are briefly mentioned.