Home  |  About Robert Richter  |  Video/Filmography  |  Contact Us  |  Support  |  Site map

Documentaries On:

Documentaries on Social and Political history

A Plague on Our Children

Dioxins, PCBs, public health v. profits

Ben Spock, Baby Doctor

The life, times and pediatric pioneering of one of the 20th century's most important and influential figures, a genuine American folk hero.
"One of the most influential people of this century."
—Life Magazine

Convictions: Prisoners of Conscience

Profiles a few of the 200 civil disobedience activists who collectively have spent more than 80 years in federal prison for their non-violent actions to close the SOA.

Crossing the Line

The grassroots campaign to close the U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA), with Martin Sheen and 7,000 others. Susan Sarandon, narrator.

Do Not Enter: The Visa War Against Ideas

Prominent people in twelve countries, invited to speak or participate in U.S. cultural activities, were denied U.S. visas. The filmmakers asked them what they might have told Americans if allowed to enter.
"A bold, indignant documentary."
—Newsday
"An excellent resource for classes."
—Journal of American History
"Responsible... persuasive... Watch it."
—New York Times
"Effectively challenges the portrayal of the U.S. as a 'marketplace of ideas'...skilfully draws out contradictions."
—Journal of Contemporary Sociology

Father Roy: Inside the School of Assassins

The struggle to find and reveal the truth about the U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA). Susan Sarandon, narrator.
"This powerful film presents one person's efforts to change American foreign policy... recommended for all video collections."
—Library Journal
"One of the outstanding documentaries of 1997."
—Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Five Days to Change the World

A youth rebellion and major issues at the world's largest peace congress: child soldiers, small arms, land mines, nuclear weapons, peace education, racism, poverty, International Criminal Court. Martin Sheen, Narrator.
"...a riveting program that may inspire other young people to think about and perhaps take positive steps to achieve world peace."
—School Library Journal
"...conveys the earnestness of the young people, many of whom came from war-torn countries. In just a few days, they were able to influence the larger conference agenda... Highly recommended."
—Library Journal

The Gifts

Oscar nominated documentary short
"The most beautiful film on ugliness ever made."
—Variety

Gods of Metal

Oscar nominated documentary short

Guns and Greed

Sweatshops, World Bank and IMF policies linked to the U.S. Army School of the Americas (SOA).
"One of the outstanding documentary shorts of the year."
—Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences

HHH: What Manner Of Man

"Advertised as The Mind Changer" it was telecast 300 times across the nation in the closing three weeks of the 1968 presidential race. Lawrence O'Brien, Democratic Party Chair, described it as the "most important" element in the campaign that pushed Hubert H. Humphrey up in the polls, resulting in the narrow election outcome.

In Our Hands

This feature-length documentary celebrates the largest peace demonstration in history: New York City, June 12, 1982 – one million people speaking with one voice. Photographed by 43 volunteer professional film crews, this theatrically distributed film features well-known performers and activists including James Taylor, Pete Seeger, Carly Simon, and Meryl Streep.
"An outright joy to behold."
—The San Francisco Chronicle
"Exhilarating, funny, poignant and occasionally frightening."
—The Village Voice
"One of the important films of our time."
—The Hollywood Reporter

Incident at Browns Ferry

Nuclear power and a near melt down, starting with a burning candle, ending with a chicken feather. A duPont Columbia Broadcast Journalism awardee.

The Last Atomic Bomb

Nuclear proliferation of today is seen through the life of a Nagasaki survivor and college students dedicated to making sure the truth about the last atomic bomb deliberately used on human beings will never be forgotten
"It's impossible to remain detached...an emotional sledge hammer but not a diatribe ...Deeply affecting..."
—New York Times
"***(3 stars) A worthwhile effort to understand an event that should never be repeated. Recommended."
—Video Librarian

Linus Pauling, Crusading Scientist

New Scientist, the British magazine, ranks Linus Pauling among the 20 most influential scientists in history, in company with Darwin, Einstein, Galileo and Newton. Pauling is the only person to have ever received two unshared Nobel Prizes, for chemistry and peace.
"Effectively conveys Pauling's continuing enthusiastic enjoyment of scientific adventure ...warmly recommended."
—Journal of College Science Teaching
"Moving and effective... exhilarating and inspiring. Superb use of a great variety of film techniques to create a smooth, continuously interesting and stimulating film that provides powerful insights."
—Educational Film Library Association
"Excellent, interesting, impressive."
—San Francisco Chronicle

The Money Lenders: Update 2000

Major criticisms of the World Bank and IMF. Prime-time TV in Europe, but too hot for PBS!
"Interesting look at both sides of the issue... Recommended."
—Video Librarian

The New Patriots

Five U.S. military veterans, including a Congressional Medal of Honor winner and a woman West Point graduate, speak out on terrorism, patriotism and their transformation from warriors to peace activists.
"A timely and powerful work...exposes the hypocrisy of 'the war on terrorism.' The film is a reasoned, honest and inclusive discourse on what it takes to be counted as a true defender of freedom."
—Perth International Film Festival

School of Assassins

Human rights abuses by School of the Americas (SOA) graduates and the start of the U.S. campaign to close the school. Susan Sarandon, narrator. Academy Award nominee, best documentary short.

Vietnam: An American Journey

"Robert Richter was the first American filmmaker allowed in Vietnam after the war, and his seven-week trip down Highway One from Hanoi to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is an enlightening, often touching portrait of civilian rehabilitation after a national trauma."
—Village Voice
"A fascinating and deeply moving informative guided tour through ravaged but resilient postwar Vietnam by a sensitive, enterprising filmmaker."
—William Wolf, Cue Magazine

What Price Clean Air?

Public health v. industry and the White House

Who Shot President Kennedy?

Walter Cronkite narrates: modern forensic science re-examines the evidence.
"Sterling piece of journalism...What a fine program...sweeps away enigma without making unsupported charges."
—Los Angeles Times
"Meticulous...may be the most convincing compilation of evidence...valuable, generally praiseworthy contribution to the historical record."
—Dallas Morning News
"Fascinating..."
—TV Guide
To top of page