The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) on Netflix
In 1968, Abbie Hoffman, Tom Hayden, Jerry Rubin and others plan to protest at the Democratic convention in Chicago. They are arrested and charged with crossing state lines to incite riots.
- Netflix4.2/5
- IMDb7.7/10207,254 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes89%
Trailer
Plot summary
In August 1968, a group of antiwar activists prepares to demonstrate at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Five months afterward, they are charged with crossing state lines to start a riot. The attorney general picks two prosecutors for the case, and William Kunstler and Leonard Weinglass speak for the defendants, except Bobby Seale. Judge Julius Hoffman, who denies any family connection to Abbie Hoffman, sides with the prosecution throughout. When Seale's own lawyer cannot attend because of illness, the judge tells Kunstler to represent him, and both men refuse.
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Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Before Aaron Sorkin took over as director, Steven Spielberg planned to make the film and approached Will Smith to play Bobby Seale, with plans to meet Heath Ledger about playing Tom Hayden. A Writers Guild of America strike that began in November 2007 and lasted 100 days suspended the project.
- While finishing The Trial of the Chicago 7, Aaron Sorkin added quick cuts of the police raid that killed Fred Hampton, crime scene stills, bullet holes, a blood-stained mattress and five police officers almost smiling, after the killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd sparked protests, saying the images resonate today.
- Paul Greengrass was announced as director of the film in July 2013, but he left the project two months later when a budget could not be agreed upon, and the film did not move forward.
