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MOVIES / ON DVD / HOWARD ZINN: YOU CAN'T BE NEUTRAL ON A MOVING TRAIN
Howard Zinn: You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train

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Howard Zinn: You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train (2004)

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96 %
Reviews Counted: 28 Fresh: 27  Rotten:1 Average Rating: 7.3/10

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 78 mins

Synopsis: In this galvanizing documentary, professor Howard Zinn recounts his life as a writer, educator, and leader in nonviolent social protest. His story is one of being in "the right place at the right time," from poor beginnings, working in shipyard unions, fighting in WWII as a bomber pilot, and... In this galvanizing documentary, professor Howard Zinn recounts his life as a writer, educator, and leader in nonviolent social protest. His story is one of being in "the right place at the right time," from poor beginnings, working in shipyard unions, fighting in WWII as a bomber pilot, and then launching his academic career as one of the first white professors to teach at the historically black Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. He helped spark the civil rights protest there, and soon moved to Boston College where he became a key figure in organizing anti-Vietnam protests. The historical span of the film concludes with Zinn protesting the war on Iraq. Known as the author of the bestselling A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES, Zinn is a charismatic, well-spoken man whose devotion to telling the truth about America--and working to set things right--is inspiring. Viewers may come away from this film ready to grab a picket sign and head off to the nearest rally. The documentary captures a year in Zinn's life, including his winning of the 2003 Prix des Amis du Monde diplomatique. Testimonials from the likes of Alice Walker (a student of Zinn's at Spelman) and Noam Chomsky put his contributions to the peace and civil rights movements in a broader perspective. Matt Damon narrates and the score includes songs by Woody Guthrie, Billy Bragg, and Eddie Vedder. [More]

Genre: Education/General Interest

Starring: Howard Zinn, Matt Damon

Director: Deb Ellis, Denis Mueller
Producer: Deb Ellis, Denis Mueller
Composer: Richard Martinez

DVD Info

Release:

Dec 5, 2006

[DVD Details]

DVD Features:

  • Region (unknown)

Additional Release Material:

  • Bonus Footage
  • Biogrpahies

Text/Photo Gallery:

  • Trailer Gallery

Reviews

 
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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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B

A flattering but soft documentary about Howard Zinn.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/01/05
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
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3/4

A provocative documentary on a life that could easily be described as a moving train.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/29/04
Marta Barber
Miami Herald
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3/4

Finally, a documentary about one of America's most important academics.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/15/04
Jonathan Curiel
San Francisco Chronicle
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3.5/5

Leads us on a journey through some of the major historical events of the 20th century, revealing Zinn to be far more than simply an activist version of Zelig.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/15/04
Kevin Crust
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
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N/A

Loaded with fantastic old footage and photographs of the Vietnam War, of the American civil rights movement and of Zinn's own family.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/14/04
Ernest Hardy
L.A. Weekly
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3/4

'Compassion' is a word the man himself uses a lot, and it's what makes the film so invigorating. Ending the movie with eloquent words about how to live a hopeful life, he is 82 and he continues to fight for what he believes in.

Full Review | comment Comment
10/07/04
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press
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3/4

They generally sit back and let the genial, even cheerful Zinn tell his story.

Full Review | comment Comment
09/16/04
Rob Thomas
Capital Times (Madison, WI)
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3.5/4

A thinker and an educator, Zinn has led a life of commitment and compassion, and the film offers a loving tribute.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/26/04
Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer
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3/5

The sparkle of Zinn, who as a liberal toiling for decades for the common man yet seeing so many of them continue to vote instead for the side that wishes them such ill might be expected to have become embittered, remains as bright and infectious as ever.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/15/04
Kim Williamson
Boxoffice Magazine
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N/A

An example of film editing at its finest: Ellis and Mueller combine archival footage, contemporary interviews, voice-over narration (by Matt Damon) based on Zinn's writing, and music with a skill that can only be borne of thoughtful contemplation.

Full Review | comment Comment
08/08/04
Maria Garcia
Film Journal International
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N/A

His simple message -- that history is not made by the few but by the struggles of the many -- isn't out of line with typical Marxist teachings, but Zinn has always found a way to make it fresh.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/28/04
Stephen Whitty
Newark Star-Ledger
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N/A

A concise primer that should well satisfy those with a casual interest in his career.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/27/04
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
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3.5/5

It's an excellent introduction to a man whose thoughts on war, peace and dissent have become increasingly influential in ever more confusing times.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/23/04
Ken Fox
TV Guide's Movie Guide
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2.5/4

It's the subject himself, still brimming with passion in his 80s, who provides the most inspiring moments.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/23/04
Elizabeth Weitzman
New York Daily News
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3/4

Deb Ellis and Dennis Mueller's tight and deceptively low-key documentary lets the subject eloquently speak for himself.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/23/04
Lou Lumenick
New York Post
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A-

A nice companion piece to Fahrenheit 9/11, this moving Train will only feed the country's election-year interest in politics.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/23/04
E! Online
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2.5/4

A decently executed but rather formulaic treatment of a life that's been anything but.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/23/04
John Anderson
Newsday
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3/5

Mr. Zinn delivers a challenge when he says, 'To be neutral and to be passive is to collaborate with whatever is going on.' Democracy he defines as 'not just a counting-up of votes' but a 'counting-up of actions.'

Full Review | comment Comment
07/23/04
Stephen Holden
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
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4/4

Thoughtful, exciting, moving.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/22/04
David Sterritt
Christian Science Monitor
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4/5

A rousing documentary about the radical historian and activist who has risked all to proclaim his call for peace and justice in America.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/22/04
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice
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Related Forums

Darko, Donnie
HOWARD ZINN: You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train ... hmm ... can you?
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News

Howard Zinn's People's History Getting Feature Doc Treatment
posted by Jeff Giles February 08, 2008
If you've had Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States on your must-read list for years, but have always...

Around the Network

• Howard Zinn: You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train at Rotten Tomatoes
• Howard Zinn: You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train at AskMen
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