Save the Children (1973)

Synopsis

In 1972, during a period of political and racial unrest, Rev. Jesse Jackson and his organization Operation PUSH held a Black Exposition on Chicago’s South Side to celebrate Black excellence in business and culture. This new version of the film captures the epic five-day event — virtually unseen since its original release more than 50 years ago — with a glorious display of legendary musical performances, creating a jubilant and soul-stirring snapshot of the times.

The Temptations’ singing “Papa Was a Rolling Stone.” Bill Withers crooning “Lean on Me.” Gladys Knight & The Pips pounding out “I Heard it Through the Grapevine.” A show-stopping number from The Jackson 5 singing “I Want You Back.” These and many more rousing moments — from the Staples Sisters to Issac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield to Quincy Jones — keep on coming. There are also somber moments that evoke the contentious time period, from Sammy Davis, Jr.’s confessional “I’ve Gotta Be Me” to Marvin Gaye’s political ballad “What’s Going On.” Like Questlove’s Summer of Soul, director Stan Lathan has crafted and restored this transportive film, which is both a reclamation of forgotten Black history and a testament to the power of music.