Product Details

• Actors: Edward Asner, Angela Bassett, Lucas Black, Theodore Borders, LeVar Burton
• Directors: Rob Smiley, Vincenzo Trippetti
• Writers: Chris Simmons, Dawn Comer, Deborah Pratt, Sib Ventress
• Producers: Andy Boron, Andy Heyward
• Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• VHS Release Date: January 12, 1999
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305196141
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #61,035 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This animated time-travel adventure features a stellar cast and is a delight for kids and adults alike. When Matt, a black teenager, has to go on a class field trip to the museum of Martin Luther King Jr., he thinks that he'd rather play baseball. But the trip turns into an exciting adventure when he and his best friend, Randy, who's white, are sent back in time to meet Dr. King.

The story is also remarkably moving, as Matt and Randy learn what Dr. King did for humanity, and come to see him as a real person, not a historical figure. Matt and Randy experience segregation firsthand when they aren't allowed to eat on a train together. Together, they witness the bus boycott, the Birmingham riots, and the "I Have a Dream" speech. They discuss the theme of "non-violent resistance" with their new friend Martin and the work of Ghandi in India. As King tells Matt, "We must meet hate with love. It will take time, but somebody's got to start." Authentic historical footage blended with animation make this an excellent choice for teaching kids about the legacy of Dr. King. --Elisabeth Keating

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem!, June 15, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Our Friend, Martin (DVD)

This is an excellent educational video. I agree with other reviewers that it is not appropriate for young viewers. However, as a fifth grade teacher, my students were fully capable of handling the presentation and the discussions that we had before and after.

This video truly encourages children to think about the choices they make. Not only does it make Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. someone a child can relate to, but it explores the idea that one person can make a difference. It urges children to stand up for the right thing even when it is difficult.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great teaching tool, January 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Our Friend Martin [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I just finished showing this film to my second graders. Not only did it hold their attention, but they learned quite a bit about Martin Luther King Jr. and America as it once was. The animated format combined with real life footage was extremely effective and captured my younger viewer's attention. Having characters that spoke the kid's "lingo" helped make this a film children of today can relate to. We used this video as a springboard to discuss Dr. King and his accomplishments. I highly recommend this video to any parent or teacher.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mixes cartoons and real footage to teach history!, January 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Our Friend Martin [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This kid-focused video seeks to teach viewers about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. It's attention-grabbing format combines a cartoon story about 4 sixth graders who travel back in time to meet Dr. King at various points in his life, with genuine footage of his speeches and various marches. The characters' voices are provided by such famous celebrities as Whoopie Goldberg, James Earl Jones and Susan Saranden. The plot is fast pace, and hooks viewers in through it's clever time travel premise, while getting its message across. Certainly, the most gripping segment of the video occurs when the main characters try to prevent Dr. King from being assassinated, by bringing him forward in time. Viewers are suddenly thrown into a world untouched by King's dreams of racial equality, and the gross differences between our lives with and without King's accomplishments are starkly revealed. This is definitely an exceptional video.