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

1h 18m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

29 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Born in 1922, Howard Zinn began his career as a political activist at age 18, when he worked as a labor organizer. In this documentary, the late historian tells his life story. After serving in World War II, Zinn becomes a professor at Atlanta's Spelman College, only to be fired for his activist agitation. Admirers and friends of the fiercely liberal Zinn testify to his impact on their lives as he discusses his commitment to anti-war politics and rethinking American history.

Jonathan Curiel

San Francisco Chronicle

10/15/2004

3/4

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

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Kevin Crust

Los Angeles Times

10/15/2004

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.

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Steven Rea

Philadelphia Inquirer

08/26/2004

3.5/4

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

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

09/11/2020

3.5/4.0

Actor Matt Damon provides narration for the film and does so maintaining consistency with Zinn's energy and enthusiasm.

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Andrea Chase

Killer Movie Reviews

10/03/2010

5/5

a spare but dazzling portrait of a unique man and soulful progressive

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

06/01/2005

B

A flattering but soft documentary about Howard Zinn.

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10/09/2015

The bio-documentary here is essentially an oral history of the greatest historian of our times.

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01/08/2013

Brings and understanding, and a relevance, to the progression of patriotism from a WWII veteran in the 1950's, 1960's, up through the millennial change.

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09/25/2011

Howard Zinn! Need I say more?

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05/22/2011

A pretty interesting documentary. I had never heard of Howard Zinn until I watched it. Although the documentary drags, if you watch and listen you'll learn a lot.

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03/22/2011

This was a very powerful documentary for me. It informed me on so many issues of our nation's past that continue to be relevant.

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01/11/2011

Really, really, really good.

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Deb Ellis

Director

Denis Mueller

Director

Matt Damon

Narrator

Deb Ellis

Producer

Denis Mueller

Producer

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Synopsis

Born in 1922, Howard Zinn began his career as a political activist at age 18, when he worked as a labor organizer. In this documentary, the late historian tells his life story. After serving in World War II, Zinn becomes a professor at Atlanta's Spelman College, only to be fired for his activist agitation. Admirers and friends of the fiercely liberal Zinn testify to his impact on their lives as he discusses his commitment to anti-war politics and rethinking American history.

Director: Deb Ellis, Denis Mueller
Producer: Deb Ellis, Denis Mueller
Distributor: First Run
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 18, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $120.3K
Runtime: 1h 18m