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Documentary

MLK/FBI (2021): Ratings & Box Office

MLK/FBI (2021) movie poster

MLK/FBI is a 2021 documentary directed by Samuel D. Pollard. It runs 1 hour 44 minutes and earned $91,833 worldwide. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
98%
worldwide gross
$91.8K
Echo Score
75
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MLK/FBI (2021) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 44m (104 min)
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is MLK/FBI About?

The premise of MLK/FBI without spoilers.

This gripping documentary explores a hidden aspect of Martin Luther King Jr.'s fight for civil rights: the intense and prolonged surveillance he endured from the FBI. Through archival footage and expert analysis, the film reveals how J. Edgar Hoover's personal biases and fears drove the bureau's relentless pursuit of King, monitoring his activities and associates. It offers a revealing look at a controversial chapter in American history and the complex relationship between the government and a pivotal leader.

MLK/FBI Themes & Keywords

· 40 tags
  • civil rights era
  • fbi harassment
  • suppressing dissent
  • surveillance
  • abuse of power
  • federal law enforcement
  • government corruption
  • democrat
  • political repression
  • political oppression
  • american history
  • 1950s
+28 more
  • 1960s
  • cointelpro
  • african american interest
  • civil rights movement
  • police surveillance
  • archive footage
  • tapping a phone
  • character assassination
  • unjust surveillance
  • government surveillance
  • confidential informant
  • dirty trick
  • wiretapping
  • racism
  • race relations
  • assassination
  • house unamerican activities committee
  • infiltrator
  • oppression
  • repression
  • fbi federal bureau of investigation
  • reference to j. edgar hoover
  • reference to lyndon b. johnson
  • reference to martin luther king jr.
  • history documentary
  • anti communism
  • red baiting
  • anti left
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Crew

The Director of MLK/FBI

Directed by Samuel D. Pollard.

Ratings

MLK/FBI Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave MLK/FBI 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 75/100, strongest in character & emotion (82) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

75 /100

MLK/FBI Echo Score Breakdown

The film delivers a rigorous examination of the FBI’s campaign against Martin Luther King Jr. through a sequence of archival materials. Critics praised its focused narrative and factual rigor, while users noted the thorough documentation and occasional pacing issues. The reliance on evidence-based storytelling foregoes dramatic embellishment yet underscores systemic overreach. Although some viewers found the approach slow, it succeeds in prompting critical reflection on historical accountability.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 78

    In terms of art and craft, the film exhibits disciplined direction and a restrained visual palette. Critics highlighted the well-curated archival footage and clear editing that maintains clarity. Some viewers, however, found the pacing of transitions and the absence of contemporary interviews created an overly linear rhythm. Overall, the production’s visual assembly remains coherent yet occasionally feels overly methodical.

  • Character & Emotion 82

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, the film relies on archival voices to evoke Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring presence. Critics commended the emotional weight carried by original recordings and context-rich documents. Some users missed personal interviews that might offer fresh insights. Ultimately, the film sustains a respectful portrayal, though emotional engagement varies by viewer familiarity with the subject.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of story and flow, the documentary presents a clear chronology of the FBI’s surveillance efforts. Critics appreciated its focused structure and informative sequencing, while some users described the pacing as deliberate to the point of sluggishness. The film’s factual approach maintains coherence but can feel exhaustive in its thorough retracing of events.

  • Sensory Experience 72

    In terms of sensory experience, the film utilizes archival audio and historical footage with minimal embellishment. Critics noted the uniform sound design and cohesive visual style, while some viewers found the lack of modern sound elements or score diminished dynamism. Overall, the presentation remains consistent but offers limited sensory variation beyond the raw materials.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    Regarding rewatch factor, the documentary’s strength lies in its archival depth and historical context. Critics suggested it serves as a valuable reference, yet some users indicated the exhaustive detail and static format limit replay appeal. While the film holds appeal for audiences interested in systemic analysis, its repetitive structure may reduce incentive for subsequent viewings.

Box office

MLK/FBI Box Office

MLK/FBI grossed $91,833 worldwide. $45,200 came from the US and Canada and $46,633 (51%) from the rest of the world.

2021 box office

Worldwide gross

$91.8K

US & Canada
$45.2K
International
$46.6K
US & Canada 49% Rest of the world 51%
Videos

MLK/FBI Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Featurette PFF29 Q&A | MLK / FBI

Seen MLK/FBI?

FAQ

MLK/FBI FAQ: Box Office, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of MLK/FBI, each answered in a sentence.

How long is MLK/FBI?

MLK/FBI runs 1 hour 44 minutes (104 minutes).

When was MLK/FBI released?

MLK/FBI was released on January 15, 2021.

Who directed MLK/FBI?

MLK/FBI was directed by Samuel D. Pollard.

More films by Samuel D. Pollard

How much did MLK/FBI make at the box office?

MLK/FBI grossed $91,833 worldwide ($45,200 domestic, $46,633 international).

How is MLK/FBI rated?

MLK/FBI has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Does MLK/FBI have a post-credit scene?

No. MLK/FBI has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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