Frederick Douglass: In Five Speeches

Directed by Julia Marchesi. US. 58 minutes. Rated TV-MA.

Frederick Douglas: In Five Speeches explores the life and legacy of the prominent African American abolitionist, orator, and statesman. The film features five of Frederick Douglass’s notable speeches, each one revealing a different aspect of his activism and intellectual prowess. Archival footage, interviews with scholars, and dramatic readings of Douglass’s speeches by actors present a vivid portrait of one of America’s most inspiring and influential figures and sheds light on his enduring relevance to the fight for racial justice today.

Producer Henry Louis Gates Jr., a renowned historian and scholar of African American history, hosts the documentary and provides historical context and commentary on each of the speeches, highlighting their significance, impact on the abolitionist movement, and the struggle for civil rights.