The March

PBS, Sundance Productions, Smoking Dogs Films, and Cactus Three present "The March," a new documentary honoring the 50th anniversary of the original March on Washington, a watershed moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Unprecedented in size, the August 28, 1963 massive demonstration for racial and economic equality issued a clarion call for racial justice that would help usher in sweeping civil rights legislation and a sea change in public opinion.

1 of 15

Martin Luther King, Jr., The March on Washington 1963.

Courtesy of Getty Images

2 of 15

Martin Luther King, Jr. marching, The March on Washington 1963.

Courtesy of NARA/Smoking Dogs Films

3 of 15

Leaders on March, The March on Washington 1963.

Courtesy of NARA/Smoking Dogs Films

4 of 15

Leaders in Memorial, The March on Washington 1963.

Courtesy of NARA/Smoking Dogs Films

5 of 15

Marchers and White House, The March on Washington 1963.

Courtesy of NARA/Smoking Dogs Films

6 of 15

The crowd in front of Memorial, The March on Washington 1963.

Courtesy of NARA/Smoking Dogs Films

7 of 15

Men with banners, The March on Washington 1963.

Courtesy of NARA/Smoking Dogs Films

8 of 15

Women walking, The March on Washington 1963.

Courtesy of NARA/Smoking Dogs Films

9 of 15

Marchers and banners, The March on Washington 1963.

Courtesy of NARA/Smoking Dogs Films

10 of 15

Armband, The March on Washington 1963.

Courtesy of NARA/Smoking Dogs Films

11 of 15

Harry Belafonte and Charlton Heston, The March on Washington 1963.

Courtesy of NARA/Smoking Dogs Films

12 of 15

Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte and Charlton Heston, The March on Washington 1963.

Courtesy of NARA/Smoking Dogs Films

13 of 15

Clarence Jones. During PBS’ THE MARCH session at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Los Angeles, Calif. on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, PBS General Manager of Programming Beth Hoppe, director John Akomfrah, CBS anchorman Roger Mudd, and March on Washington participants Clayborne Carson, Clarence Jones and Joyce Ladner discuss the dramatic story of the 1963 March on Washington when Dr. King declared, "I Have a Dream.”

Courtesy of Rahoul Ghose/PBS

14 of 15

Joyce Ladner. During PBS’ THE MARCH session at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Los Angeles, Calif. on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, PBS General Manager of Programming Beth Hoppe, director John Akomfrah, CBS anchorman Roger Mudd, and March on Washington participants Clayborne Carson, Clarence Jones and Joyce Ladner discuss the dramatic story of the 1963 March on Washington when Dr. King declared, "I Have a Dream.”

Courtesy of Rahoul Ghose/PBS

15 of 15

Clayborne Carson and Roger Mudd. During PBS’ THE MARCH session at the Television Critics Association Summer Press Tour in Los Angeles, Calif. on Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, PBS General Manager of Programming Beth Hoppe, director John Akomfrah, CBS anchorman Roger Mudd, and March on Washington participants Clayborne Carson, Clarence Jones and Joyce Ladner discuss the dramatic story of the 1963 March on Washington when Dr. King declared, "I Have a Dream.”

Courtesy of Rahoul Ghose/PBS

The event, which will forever be remembered for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s stirring “I Have a Dream” speech, endures today as a symbol of unity and monumental impact.

Produced by Lina Gopaul and David Lawson, "The March" is directed by John Akomfrah, with Krysanne Katsoolis, Robert Redford and Laura Michalchyshyn as executive producers. Sam Pollard is consulting producer, with Gina Belafonte as associate producer. "The March," narrated by Denzel Washington, premieres on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 on PBS.

"The March" reveals the dramatic story behind the event through the remembrances of key players such as Jack O’Dell, Clarence B. Jones, Julian Bond and Andrew Young. Supporters and other testimonials of the March include Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte and Diahann Carroll.

Additional interviewees include Roger Mudd, the CBS anchorman who reported from the March, Clayborne Carson, founding director of Stanford’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute and a participant in the March, and Oprah Winfrey, whose life was transformed by watching the March on television along with millions of other Americans.

Also featured are the remembrances of ordinary citizens who joined some 250,000 Americans who thronged to the capital on that momentous day to peacefully demand an end to two centuries of discrimination and injustice.

“Viewers turn to PBS to provide great programs that explore our nation’s history,” said Beth Hoppe, PBS Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming. “The 50th anniversary of this major milestone provides the perfect opportunity to examine the legacy of the original March.”

“The story of people who suffered profound injustice in America and fought it with sacrifice and courage is something we should never forget,” said Executive Producer Robert Redford. “I hope the generations who see this film will be inspired by it.”

Deploying remarkable rare archival footage, "The March" recounts the dramatic events that took place not only in front of the cameras but behind the scenes, revealing how one of the most important events in the Civil Rights Movement almost didn’t happen, told by those who refused to back down and whose lives it forever changed.

“The March is the watershed moment of the Civil Rights Movement, the culmination of a hundred years of activism against segregation and social injustice for people of color in the U.S.,” said director John Akomfrah. “Re-telling this story is my small contribution to that monumental struggle.”

Edith Lee-Payne Discovers She’s the Girl in a Famous Photo

"Detroiter Edith Lee-Payne attended the March on Washington with her mother on her 12th birthday. Although Edith doesn’t recall having her photo taken at the event

Delores Morgan Brule

"Delores Morgan Brule recalls her family fearing for her safety at the March on Washington. “They were not very happy.” Brule

A Defining Moment for Pittsburgh Activist Sala Udin

"As a 20-year-old

Joan Nelson

"Joan Nelson found the path to her own personal freedom at the age of 14. Her entire family was made up of civil rights activists and they have all been arrested for participating in non-violent sit ins and demonstrations. “I am a Soldier” she says

Johnnie Turner

"State Rep. Johnnie R. Turner has been serving in the 108th TN Gen Assembly representing House Distr 85 since 2010. She is a retired educator & Exec Dir on leave of the Memphis Branch NAACP. She is the House Democratic Floor Leader and has been a member of the TN Black Caucus of State Legislators. She serves on the Board of Directors of the NAACP TN State Conference

Philip Hallen meets the New America at The March

"A long-time professional in the Pittsburgh foundation community