Scottsboro: An American Tragedy

"The case that sparked the civil rights movement"

Jan 21 2000 N/A 1h 24m
Documentary, History

A look at the infamous "Scottsboro Boys" case that occurred in Alabama in 1931, in which nine young black men were arrested, tried and quickly convicted in the rape of two white women, despite overwhelming evidence that showed their accusers had falsely accused them and the fact that one of the women later admitted that no rape had in fact occurred (although both had had sexual relations with their boyfriends on the day prior to the "rape"). The case was one of the first that shined a spotlight on what many called the "legal lynchings" that occurred in the South whenever blacks were accused of crimes, especially against whites and most especially against white women.

Plot

A look at the infamous "Scottsboro Boys" case that occurred in Alabama in 1931, in which nine young black men were arrested, tried and quickly convicted in the rape of two white women, despite overwhelming evidence that showed their accusers had falsely accused them and the fact that one of the women later admitted that no rape had in fact occurred (although both had had sexual relations with their boyfriends on the day prior to the "rape"). The case was one of the first that shined a spotlight on what many called the "legal lynchings" that occurred in the South whenever blacks were accused of crimes, especially against whites and most especially against white women.

Written by

Barak Goodman, Kay Boyle

Directed by

Barak Goodman, Daniel Anker

Cast

Frances McDormand, Stanley Tucci, Andre Braugher

Crew

View crew

Production Countries

United States of America

Languages

English

Awards

Nominated for 1 Oscar. 6 wins & 2 nominations total

Scores
# of Votes
372
Average Rating
7.5 out of 10
Metascore
74
Popularity
NA