American Revolution 2
Encyclopedia
American Revolution 2 is a 1969 documentary on the 1968 Democratic National Convention
and its aftermath. Part of the film focuses on the creation of an alliance between the Young Patriots Organization
and local Black Panthers. On its release Roger Ebert
gave the film four stars, while New York Times reviewer Roger Greenspun was more critical. The film was released on DVD in 2007 (along with its follow-up The Murder of Fred Hampton
) and received generally positive reviews.
The film was directed by Howard Alk
and produced by Mike Gray
. Ebert writes that the film was created as a collective effort by the Film Group, a local company that generally made commercials, and released without any individual credits. It has no narrator.
1968 Democratic National Convention
The 1968 Democratic National Convention of the U.S. Democratic Party was held at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago, Illinois, from August 26 to August 29, 1968. Because Democratic President Lyndon Johnson had announced he would not seek a second term, the purpose of the convention was to...
and its aftermath. Part of the film focuses on the creation of an alliance between the Young Patriots Organization
Young Patriots Organization
The Young Patriots Organization was an American left-wing organization of the 1960s and 70s. Growing out of an SDS project called JOIN , its first leader was Doug "Youngblood" Blakey, the son of Peggy Terry. It was later led by Jack "Junebug" Boykin, and then, William "Preacherman" Fesperman...
and local Black Panthers. On its release Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
gave the film four stars, while New York Times reviewer Roger Greenspun was more critical. The film was released on DVD in 2007 (along with its follow-up The Murder of Fred Hampton
The Murder of Fred Hampton
The Murder of Fred Hampton is a 1971 documentary film which began with the intention of portraying Fred Hampton, and the Illinois Black Panther Party. During the production of the film, Hampton was killed by the Chicago Police Department....
) and received generally positive reviews.
The film was directed by Howard Alk
Howard Alk
-Career:Alk enrolled in the University of Chicago at the age of 14. He was a member of the Compass Players cabaret troupe and one of the founders of The Second City. Alk had previously worked with Sills at the Gate of Horn. According to Sahlins, Alk coined the group's name...
and produced by Mike Gray
Mike Gray
Mike Gray is a writer, screenwriter, cinematographer, film producer and director.-Film and TV:Gray co-wrote the screenplay for the 1979 nuclear thriller The China Syndrome. Earlier in his career he directed and produced two documentaries on radical politics in Chicago, American Revolution 2 and...
. Ebert writes that the film was created as a collective effort by the Film Group, a local company that generally made commercials, and released without any individual credits. It has no narrator.