Regular Price $26.95

Starring: Ray Cristensen,  Bill Youngdahl,  Ernie Chambers, 
Directed By: Barbara Connell,  William C. Jersey, 
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Release Date: 1966
Studio: New Video Group
Format: Black & White,  DVD-Video,  NTSC, 

Editorial Reviews and DVD Information about A Time for Burning

Description
Unsparingly honest, A TIME FOR BURNING packs a mighty wallop with its excruciatingly up-close treatment of race issues in a typical white, middle-class church at the pinnacle of the Civil Rights Movement. Originally rejected by the three major networks for being too controversial, this classic cinema-verité film from award-winning filmmaker Bill Jersey captures an all-white Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska as their eager, but earnest pastor tries to get the congregation to reach out to their fellow black Lutherans. Jersey's camera is there when a highly articulate and outspoken black nationalist Ernie Chambers tells Pastor Youngdahl that his "Jesus is contaminated." The camera continues to roll as a church elder speaks passionately about the urgency of desegregation but then admits he's never actually spent time one-on-one with a black person. As tensions threaten to tear apart the church, the film illustrates the anguish and awakenings of the civil rights era through the words and actions of everyday people. "A glowing beauty" (The New York Times), A TIME FOR BURNING is a classic touchstone, which poignantly captures the mood of the times as the Civil Rights Movement challenged the nation to change its ways. DVD Features: Director's Commentary; Update: Ernie Chambers 40 years later; Filmmaker Statement; Filmmaker Biography; Scene Selection

Amazon.com
An extremely passionate and moving documentary, William C. Jersey's A Time for Burning explores the civil rights issue from one of the least likely of vantage points--a white, middle-class congregation in Nebraska--and reveals some of the more powerful observations about race and equality to come out of the '60s. Jersey's focal point is the Reverend L. William Youngdahl, who attempts to inspire his parishioners--all white and Lutheran--to reach out and make a connection with black Lutherans in the state. Youngdahl quickly finds himself at the center of a conflict that mirrors the nationwide struggle, with representatives from the church, community, and protest movements speaking for and against his desire to unite those of a common faith. Rejected by all three networks, Burning's unflinching exploration of the state of race relations in the United States and the human heart earned it an Academy Award nomination in 1968, and a place on the National Film Registry in 2005. The DVD includes commentary by and a biography on Jersey, as well as an update on activist Ernie Chambers, who is featured in the film. -- Paul Gaita

Customer Reviews for A Time for Burning

You must watch!
This needs to be promoted better because no one has heard about this, but if they did, watch out. Ernie Chambers? I've never heard of this man, but i'm honored to know that he exists. This documentary is brilliant, especially for it's time period.A Time for Burning

it's still time...
Having lived through this time, I was born and raised in Omaha, I now understand why I think the way I do. Ernie Chambers and Dan Goodwin were, and still are, my barbers. The conversations that went on in the barbershop were not staged, these are the type of exchanges that go on in 'Spencer Street Barber Shop' to this day. This is where I earned my degree in 'Common Sense' Thank God, I am now equipped to deal with the unfortunate reality that is America. I wish I could say Omaha was unique, but it was not...this type of thinking goes on everwhere I have lived, now it's just a bit more covert, both black and white. While I applaud Min. Youngdahl's effort, I was not surprised that he 'resigned'. We all need to step away from our comfort zone...this documentary is our 'Picture of Dorian Grey'.A Time for Burning

A CHURCH CONFRONTS RACISM
How does a church respond in a time when the country is exploding over the question of civil rights? The answer can be found in this documentary film of one church's response to the crisis. Filmed in 1966, the leaders of Augustana Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska share with us their fears, hypocrasy, and racial prejudice as they come to grips with the social reality of their times.

The pastor of the church makes the first move in listening to the voices of Blacks in Omaha who bluntly tell him the truth of what is going on. Moved by their words he challenges the church's social committee to initiate a ministry that can bring understanding and reconciliation among the groups.

In watching this film you will witness the process of how a white church attempts to come to face the weakness of their faith, sense of justice and fears of reaching out. Every small step that they take is done with caution but they try. We see a church for the first time being confronted with the reality of what it means to be a Christian.

As a sociological study of race relations and the white church this is an excellent film. You see the theological, social and cultural differences as to how two groups view Christianity. The African-Americans do not spare their white Christian counterparts in condemning them for not living up to the Christian gospel. Augustan Lutheran Church is a good example of how a church can change and become relevant to the issues of its time if it will step out on faith. You will be hopeful at the outcome of this film as two groups struggle for reconciliation.A Time for Burning