CHISHOLM ?72 Unbought & Unbossed is the first historical documentary on Brooklyn Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and her campaign to become the Democratic Party?s presidential nominee in 1972. Following Chisholm from th... more »e announcement of her candidacy in January to the Democratic National Convention in Miami, Florida in July, the story is like her- fabulous, fierce, and fundamentally ?right on.? Chisholm?s fight is for inclusion, as she writes in her book The Good Fight (1973), and encompasses all Americans ?who agree that the institutions of this country belong to all of the people who inhabit it.? Shunned by the political establishment, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm asks people of color, feminists and young voters for their support to ?reshape our society and take control of our destiny as we go down the Chisholm Trail in 1972.? To the surprise of many, voters responded.« less
The documentary was well made, but I am glad she didn't win.
Movie Reviews
It was great!
Aubrey Ward III | Englewood,NJ | 02/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"
Ok, I did not buy the DVD. Howver, I did see this film on an episode of POV which airs on the station PBS (Public Broadcasting Station). Regardless, the film was very well done. I love vintage footage so I was in heaven. This film has plenty of 1972 interviews, campaign commercials, demonstrations, they even play Shirley Chisholm's campaign song.
The documentary also did a great job of showing various points of view about the Chisholm campaign. It would have been real easy to manipulate the film so as to villanize those who didn't support Chisholm or did support and then turned later on it. The film is unbiased and honest. The participants interviewed made decisions like any human would. The viewer is given the opportunity to decide whether he thinks it was a good or bad choice.
My only criticism is that I wish I could've heard more about the other side of the campaign. How was Shirley Chisholm when the cameras weren't rolling or when the speech was over. There is a moment when Shirley is asked about an incident where she was almost stabbed in the back. She was naturally uncomfortable with that moment and she became a bit choked up. I wish there was more of that. It would have been good for people who want to follow in Chisholm's footsteps to see the personal struggles as well as the triumphs. But then the doc. is truly about her campaign. I'll just have to read her autobiography for the other details.
All in all, the doc. was very well done. It was educational, lively, exciting, and thought provoking. The real tragedy, though, isn't her defeat but that no one has picked up where she left off. The "dirty" politics that kept Shirley's campaign down are still well and alive today."
Get Fired Up
Tina Tang | San Francisco Bay Area, United States | 08/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This documentary reawakens the political activist in us all! It's as educational as it is entertaining. Ms. Lynch reveals the American election process while unfolding the story and character of the vivacious Shirley Chisholm. I saw this film at the Sundance film festival and had to have it for my DVD collection. It'll fire you up and make you care again."
A true Ground-Breaker
mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 02/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Shirley Chisholm truly was a Ground Breaking Soul Sister who made a change. this Documentary shows all the Politics&everything that went down with her 1972 Campaign. there should be a Film&also more determined minds to follow in her shoes because Shirley Chisholm truly was ahead of her time. she was truly one of a Kind.she was like a Modern Day Harriet Tubman meets Dr Martin Luther King Jr all rolled into one. Barbara Jordan made a Impact in DC but we haven't had another Shirley Chisholm&we need that spark now more than ever."
Sister Shirley gave 'em her all
Fredric A. Cooper | Los Angeles, CA | 06/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Shirley Chisholm ran for President of The United States in my favorite year, 1972. This fine documentary shows what a lot of guts and determination, along with real, concrete convictions, the lady had, and we can now fully appreciate what she set out to do. A real progressive candidate is such a breath of fresh air any time, and Ms. Chisholm was certainly ahead of hers. It's fun to see the vintage 1972 footage for all the wonderful fashions and hairstyles as well. I dig Shirley's suits, which matched right down to her blouse. Now that's style."
Important then and now
David Nox | Mississippi USA | 02/19/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Chisholm isn't talked about much today. She seems to be forgotten by many.
With Hilary running many forget that Hillary wasn't the first woman to seek the nomination of the Democratic party. This DVD will really help you understand politics and what goes on behind the curtains. It's is strange Obama is leading with the delegate count. Yet many are suggesting he can't win and perhaps he should step aside. There are haunting similarities in the way Shirley was treated. She was often told she can't win step aside.
This DVD was made shortly before Shirley's death it appears (DVD is dated 2004 and she passed in 2005). She looked great in the more recent interviews contained in the DVD. Thank god she dropped those horrible wigs and went natural. 1972 was an exciting year. There were several serious attempts on her life during the election. George Wallace was shot during the campaign. Shirley tells it all. Who was a b*stard and who was a drunk. For this price Amazon is giving this DVD away. It really is a first class DVD."