A review of “The People Speak” airing Sunday, December 13th on the History Channel
By Michal – Staff Writer

If you’re interested in American history from the bottom up, the new documentary, “The People Speak” premiering Sunday on the History Channel is for you. Produced by Howard Zinn, the two-hour program uses actors and musician to tell the history of the United States of America using the voices of the common people. Starting with the Declaration of Independence and covering the Revolutionary War, the Civil War & Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, women’s sufferage, the Great Depression, labor uprising, AIDS, and the plight of Native Americans among many other topics and historical events, the documentary attempts to show a different version of how American history unfolded from those not in power.

A number of notable actors including Matt Damon, Jasmine Guy, David Stathaim, Marisa Tormei, Morgan Freeman, and Viggo Mortensen among others read from letters, diaries, editorials, petition, poetry, and trial transcript while historical photographs and archival footage offer visual perspective to match the words. The documentary also features several performances by John Legend, Bob Dylan, Eddie Vedder, and Bruce Springsteen of historical relevant songs such as “Brother Can You Spare a Dime?” or “This Land is Your Land.”

Overall, I enjoyed “The People Speak” immensely and recommend it wholeheartedly. The documentary was filmed over the course of 2 years and the lecture format helps not only hold the attention of the viewer but also includes reaction shots from the crowd that adds another layer to the auditory experience. There is

something so compelling about listening to an entry from diary of a farmer struggling to keep his farm after the Revolutionary war or Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech that leaves me with goose-bumps. To be honest, I could sit and listen all day!

However, I do have one small caveat to add. I figure if you have made it through this review, you are either a history buff or interested in American history. However, I should note, I have a bachelors and masters degree in history and my day job is that of an archivist for the Idaho State Historical Society. I am the exact target audience for this documentary and much of my day job is helping researchers find these first hand perspectives and stories and share them with the public. I hope “The People Speak” gets more people interested in the history of common people and how they factor into the larger history of the United States.