Product Description

In these turbulent times, Howard Zinn is inspiring a new generation. This acclaimed film looks at the amazing life of the renowned historian, activist and author of the landmark book 'A People's History of the United States', an eye-opening history from the perspective of the disenfranchised.

Following his early days as a shipyard labor organizer and bombardier in World War II, Zinn became an academic rebel and leader of civil disobedience in a time of institutionalized racism and war. His influential writings shine light on and bring voice to factory workers, immigrant laborers, African Americans, Native Americans and the working poor.

Featuring rare archival materials and interviews with Zinn and colleagues such as Noam Chomsky, YOU CAN'T BE NEUTRAL captures the essence of this extraordinary man who has been a catalyst for progressive change for more than 60 years. Narrated by Matt Damon; Featuring Music by Pearl Jam, Woody Guthrie & Billy Bragg.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #36978 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-05-24
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 78 minutes

Review
If 'Fahrenheit 9/11' unveils the problem, then 'You Can't Be Neutral On a Moving Train' offers the hope that there indeed are solutions. --Boston Phoenix

Review
An excellent introduction to a man whose thoughts on war, peace and dissent have become increasingly influential in ever more confusing times. --TV Guide.com

Review
Before Michael Moore, there was Howard Zinn. --Boston Herald

Customer Reviews

The force of moral indignation
This is a marvelous film about an amazing man. Depending, of course, on your point of view. Which is Zinn's point. In any case, if you agree with Zinn, you'll love the movie. If you don't, but have an open mind, you might be interested in his ideas. And if you're Bill O'Reilly, don't even bother. Please.

The film follows Zinn from his experiences as a bomber pilot in WWII, through the birth of modern American activism in Atlanta (where he was fired from Spelman College for encouraging students in non-violent activism), through the Vietnam war, and up to his current activities and ideas. It also contains a very nice section about his book "The People's History of the United States," which looks at American history from the point of view of the victims. AND, it is the only mention I have ever seen in film or television of the tragic Ludlow, Colorado massacre of the strikers by those staunch defenders of American democracy: the Pinkertons. That's right, the mine owners brought in their own private army of Pinkertons who burned the strikers' tent city in the middle of a Colorado winter and then shot the survivors.

This film reminds us of what moral indignation is all about and the importance of taking a stand against tyranny in all its forms. Bill O'Reilly will, of course, disagree.

A wonderful tribute to an engaging political activist
As an undergraduate at Boston University in the 1980's I had the advantage to take two of Dr. Howard Zinn's courses. Unfortunately, as a somewhat naive student from a conservative midwestern upbringing I did not take full advantage or fully appreciate the opportunity of studying under Dr. Zinn. Today, I was quite pleased to see a documentary about this amazing, yet contravesial man.

Whether or not you agree with Dr. Zinn's politics, it cannot be denied (especially after watching this documentary) that his motives are genuine. Dr. Zinn is really fighting for a better and truer form of what he defines as justice. It may be easy to disagree with him (I certainly do not agree with all his ideas or actions), this documentary makes it impossible to disagree that he is a man who really cares about what he is fighting for.

The documentary begins with his meager upbringing and discusses that although as a shipbuilder he could have received a deferment from fighting in World War II, he enlisted believing that fighting facism in Europe was the right thing to do. However, some of the things he was called upon to do as a pilot forced him to ponder on what means can and should be used to achieve a just end. The documentary then depicts the start of his activism as a white teacher in a black college in Atlanta during the early days of the racial movement in the South. The documentary covers his life from those early days throughout his career.

Although the documentary is not what you could call balanced in that none of Dr. Zinn's opponents are interviewed, I do not find that as a fault. I do not think the purpose of this documentary was to be a completely balanced protrayal leaving it up to the viewer to make his or her own decision about Dr. Zinn; but instead the documentary is meant to be a heartfelt synopsis of a fascinating man.

From a filmaker's point of view, the documentary ceratainly works as well. It is well edited with loads of great old footage intertwined with the interviews. All-in-all, this is a documentary that works. Love or hate Dr. Zinn's politics, this documentary will still give the viewer new insight into his life and what drives him.

Howard Zinn: A Great American!
When puff pastries like Sean Hannity say to the thoughtless hawk guests who people his infotainment circus: "You're a Great American" he is completely pathetic. Although Sean and his ilk would howl, a true Great American among us is Howard Zinn who devotes his life to speaking the truth no matter what.

This documentary bio is a great starting point for learning about the man and his life. He is a modern day Wise Man who has really been in the trenches and speaks from experience about peace, social justice and the politics of power. The doc makes good use of historical footage and although it is fairly standard in its appproach it is well worth watching.

Zinn makes a strong Prophet-like presence in other films that are all on Amazon like "Rush To War," "Liberty Bound" , the very creative "Axis Of Evil" and my favorite "USA The Movie" in which Zinn's voice, filled with suffering for our sins, sums up the brutality of the act we are about to undertake just as we embark on the war in Iraq. As usual, he says it all.