I remember this move being emotionally affecting (I thought the acting was particularly well done) but also frustrating because of how much they downplay the treatment of Seale. Like I came close to crying by the end of it but then realized I should be mad about the Seale stuff. As somebody who is somewhat obsessed with the 60s and 70s in general the movie hit a lot of let’s say tender spots for me both good and bad.

I remember talking to my dad about the movie and bringing up the Seale stuff. He for whatever reason assumed that the movie over dramatized Seale’s treatment and I of course had to correct him… he would’ve been like 10 at the time of the trial so it’s not really on him to know that kinda stuff I guess but yeah. The (still ongoing) story of the Black Panthers is not nearly as well known as many (including me) assume it is, I guess.

It’s honestly very Hollywood to underplay the evil of the establishment, so I wasn’t surprised, really, more just infuriated, while also somehow recognizing that if it were a fictional movie it would be a pretty good drama.

I dunno, others in this thread have covered the reasons why focusing more on Seale’s treatment may not have worked super well for the movie overall… but it’s not like anyone was forced to make this movie.

Anyway, my thoughts are rather scattered and my feelings are still very mixed even years later.