Overview: Featuring interviews with Julian Bond, John Lewis, C.T. Vivian, Harris Wofford, Evan Thomas and others, “FREEDOM RIDERS” is the powerful and inspirational story of the men and women who, using non-violent tactics, risked their lives to challenge segregated facilities in the south in 1961.

DVD Verdict: 'Freedom Riders' is an American Experience presentation commemorating the historic Freedom Rides of 50 years ago, and the powerful, harrowing and ultimately inspirational story of eight months in 1961 that changed America forever.

From May until December 1961, more than 400 black and white Americans risked their lives—many endured savage beatings and imprisonment—for simply traveling together on buses as they journeyed through the Deep South. Determined to test and challenge segregated travel facilities, the Freedom Riders’ were greeted with mob violence and bitter racism, sorely testing their belief in non-violent activism.

From award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson (The Murder of Emmett Till, Jonestown, Wounded Knee), 'Freedom Riders' features testimony from a fascinating cast of central characters: the Riders themselves, state and federal government officials, and journalists who witnessed the rides firsthand. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs.