Selma

2014, History/Drama, 2h 8m

314 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Fueled by a gripping performance from David Oyelowo, Selma draws inspiration and dramatic power from the life and death of Martin Luther King, Jr. -- but doesn't ignore how far we remain from the ideals his work embodied. Read critic reviews

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Selma Videos

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Movie Info

Although the Civil Rights Act of 1964 legally desegregated the South, discrimination was still rampant in certain areas, making it very difficult for Blacks to register to vote. In 1965, an Alabama city became the battleground in the fight for suffrage. Despite violent opposition, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (David Oyelowo) and his followers pressed forward on an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, and their efforts culminated with President Lyndon Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
  • Rating:
    PG-13 (Brief Strong Language|A Suggestive Moment|Disturbing Thematic Material|Violence)
  • Genre:
    History, Drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Ava DuVernay
  • Producer:
    Christian Colson, Oprah Winfrey, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner
  • Writer:
    Paul Webb
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $52.1M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Paramount Pictures

Cast & Crew

David Oyelowo
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tom Wilkinson
President Lyndon Baines Johnson
Carmen Ejogo
Coretta Scott King
Giovanni Ribisi
Lee White
Alessandro Nivola
John Doar
Cuba Gooding Jr.
Fred Gray
Tim Roth
George Wallace
Oprah Winfrey
Annie Lee Cooper
Common
James Bevel
Lorraine Toussaint
Amelia Boynton
André Holland
Andrew Young
Omar J. Dorsey
James Orange
Dylan Baker
J. Edgar Hoover
Tessa Thompson
Diane Nash
Colman Domingo
Ralph Abernathy
Stephen Root
Al Lingo
Jeremy Strong
James Reeb
Nigel Thatch
Malcolm X
Martin Sheen
Judge Frank M. Johnson
Ava DuVernay
Director
Paul Webb
Screenwriter
Christian Colson
Producer
Oprah Winfrey
Producer
Dede Gardner
Producer
Jeremy Kleiner
Producer
Brad Pitt
Executive Producer
Cameron McCracken
Executive Producer
Nik Bower
Executive Producer
Diarmuid McKeown
Executive Producer
Ava DuVernay
Executive Producer
Paul Garnes
Executive Producer
Nan Morales
Executive Producer
Bradford Young
Cinematography
Spencer Averick
Film Editing
Mark Friedberg
Production Design
Jason Moran
Original Music
Ruth E. Carter
Costume Design
Aisha Coley
Casting
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Critic Reviews for Selma

All Critics (314) | Top Critics (89) | Fresh (310) | Rotten (4)
Full Review… Nijla Mu'min Bitch Media Full Review… Chris Stuckmann ChrisStuckmann.com Full Review… Simon Weaving Sydney Morning Herald Full Review… Philippa Hawker Sydney Morning Herald Full Review… Roxana Hadadi Chesapeake Family Magazine Full Review… Alonso Duralde What the Flick?! Full Review… Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review Full Review… Roger Friedman Showbiz 411 Full Review… Nick Levine NME Full Review… Richard Crouse Richard Crouse Full Review… Nicole Ackman Next Best Picture Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins
View All Critic Reviews (314)

Audience Reviews for Selma

  • May 27, 2017
    effective dramatisation. it could've been a bit longer though and a bit more detailed. tim roth did the best acting.
    Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
  • Jan 01, 2017
    The story of Martin Luther King's efforts to give black Americans the right to vote in the 1960s is mostly engaging and interestingly portrayed. Some conversations could have used some trimming, there are a few slow parts. But the acting is top notch, especially Oyelowo is fantastic during King's speeches. It is the ending with original footage from the walk that is particularly touching and well done. Especially when you realize what a step backwards we seem to be taking currently.
    Jens S Super Reviewer
  • Dec 03, 2016
    I really liked this movie but was somewhat disappointed in it, too. There are three major scenes depicting the famous marches on the Edmund Pettus Bridge and each of them is historically accurate, powerful in their depiction and highly moving. There are other scenes that are not nearly so accurate, powerful or moving. Contrary to popular opinion I was not transfixed by the performance of David Oyelowo as Rev. Martin Luther King. President Lyndon Johnson's portrayal as an antagonist to MLK, I believe, is over exaggerated. The J. Edger Hoover fixation on Dr. King is underplayed. And, much more doesn't work for me. Nonetheless, Selma, as a whole, is worthy of our attention, our discussion on its merits and flaws and our our respec
    Aldo G Super Reviewer
  • Apr 08, 2016
    Has some pacing/editing issues, but the cast are all on top form.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
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