Film - The Trial of the Chicago 7

“The riots were started by the Chicago police department”

This film is based on the story of the five-month trial that followed an intended peaceful protest against the Vietnam war at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.   Aaron Sorkin brings us another example of America’s failings, this one under President Nixon. The seven are mainly middle-class white men, students, hippies and a family man. The additional black man in the dock was in Chicago to deliver a speech.

“The whole world is watching”

For me, the story hung on this single black man, Bobby Seale, who was unrelated in any way to the seven white men but got charged with them. Seale had no representation in court, with the judge insisting on the lawyer for the seven represent him too. When Judge Hoffman wasn’t cajoling the lawyer, he was showing his absolute hatred of Seale and making assumptions that the ‘Black Panther’ sitting in the court was representing him or guiding him. This happened several times with both the lawyer and Seal, eventually getting highly irritated. The black man was then the only one of the seven to be gagged and bound in full view of a US courtroom and taken away to be beaten up by the authorities. No matter how many times I hear of or see scenes like this, I am shocked, yet never surprised.

“It will be impossible for me to care any less about what you are tired off”

Just that part of the story makes this a must-watch. Although those on trial represented different factions of the anti-war movement. The students wanted change from within as did the family man who as a pacifist, scout leader, clearly meant no harm. The hippies had wanted a revolution and of course, the Black Panthers wanted all of the above so they could achieve equality.

Sadly, we’re still waiting for all of this 50 years later.

How accurately the film depicts the events doesn't matter as much as the facts. The Democratic Mayor of Chicago had 12,000 cops, members of the national guard and the army ready at his disposal to dish out punishment. Not to enforce law and order, but to go into battle with 10,000 protestors.  700 arrests were made, thousands hurt. It seems to me, that’s how important it was for America to continue with the Vietnam war that at this point was killing 1000 American soldiers a month.

Oh, turns out Bobby Seale was one of the founders of the Black Panther Party, now in his 80s and still campaigning.

7½/10 (rather than 8/10 because I don’t watch it again)