FINALLY GOT THE NEWS is a forceful, unique documentary that reveals the activities of the League of Revolutionary Black Workers inside and outside the auto factories of Detroit. Through interviews with the members of the movement, footage shot in the auto plants, and footage of leafleting and picketing actions, the film documents their efforts to build an independent black labor organization that, unlike the UAW, will respond to workers’ problems, such as the assembly line speed-up and inadequate wages faced by both black and white workers in the industry.

Beginning with a historical montage, from the early days of slavery through the subsequent growth and organization of the working class, FINALLY GOT THE NEWS focuses on the crucial role played by the black worker in the American economy. Also explored is the educational ‘tracking’ system for both white and black youth, the role of African-American women in the labor force, and relations between white and black workers.

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Video Quality

Finally Got the News debuts on Blu-Ray courtesy of Icarus Films with a digital AVC-encoded 1080p transfer in the original 1.33:1 aspect ratio that is derived from a brand new 4K restoration courtesy of the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive and the Ford Foundation. Given the age of the material and the apparent quality of the source, this was surely a tricky project to restore to its intended glory. The transfer manages to impress as it retains the verité aesthetic of the source while eliminating most major blemishes, while still being beholden to the limitations of the source. There is still a consistent sheen of minor nicks and scratches throughout. 

This footage was captured over 55 years ago, and the “boots on the ground” nature of the documentary means the filming conditions were not always stable. The transfer maintains ideal film grain support throughout, as everything carefully resolves with few instances of spiking or swarming. When you consider the potential shortcomings of the source material, it is pleasing to see it looking so excellent. With the film and the corresponding Taking Back Detroit documentary on the disc being so short, there are no observable issues with compression artifacts or any other such digital anomalies. The photography provides an admirable stability within the contrast. This presentation gives this historic documentary the best presentation possible. 

Audio Quality

The Blu-Ray is presented with a newly restored DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track in the original English with optional English SDH subtitles. As with the video, this exhibits the material as well as the source will allow. There are a few fleeting moments when there is a fluctuation in the audio that seems to stem from a shortcoming of the source material, but these are infrequent and not a seriously distracting issue. The dialogue is captured fairly well with only a bit of a hollow quality that you would expect from an independent production of this vintage. Some of the information can become a bit muddled when they are filming in more bustling conditions, but most of the exchanges are discernible. Audiences should be pleased by the audio presentation. 

Special Features

  • Taking Back Detroit: A nearly 56-minute documentary from 1980 is provided that continues many of the ideas from Finally Got the News. 

 

Final Thoughts

Finally Got the News is an incredible document that captures a key moment in the fight for workers’ rights on the micro level. This is unfortunately an evergreen issue, and it is invaluable to see it captured through this perspective, giving voice to the Black experience by not eliminating the specific harm inflicted on them while still highlighting the universal nature of the oppression that stems from capitalism. It is enlightening and inspiring in equal measure, and it should be required viewing for all. Icarus Films has released a Blu-Ray featuring a commendable A/V presentation for both features. Recommended 

Finally Got the News is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. 

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Icarus Films and OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.