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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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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 in 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:
  • Production Co:
    Plan B Entertainment, Harpo Films, Cloud Eight

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
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
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News & Interviews for Selma

The 21 Most Memorable Movie Moments of the Past 21 Years: Vote for the Best Now!
21 Most Memorable Movie Moments: Crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma (2014)
Melanie Lynskey’s Five Favorite Films
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Critic Reviews for Selma

All Critics (311) | Top Critics (89) | Fresh (307) | Rotten (4)

View All Critic Reviews (311)

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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