1963
In 1960, Bayard Rustin's efforts to organize civil rights protests are thwarted by political rivals who force his ouster from Martin Luther King Jr.'s inner circle. Three years later, Rustin, while working at the War Resisters League, conceives and begins organizing the March on Washington, facing continued opposition and a demotion despite reconciling with King. Overcoming immense logistical challenges and internal conflicts, Rustin and his team successfully execute the March on Washington, culminating in King's iconic speech and the presentation of demands. The film concludes with a Life Magazine cover featuring A. Philip Randolph and Rustin, acknowledging their pivotal roles in the historic demonstration.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Bayard Rustin organizes the March on Washington amidst internal and external conflicts, while struggling with personal relationships and past ouster.
Open full beat sheetBayard Rustin is listed as Civil Rights Activist. Handsome, regal, silver in his hair, brow creased, 48 years old. In the parsed data, Bayard Rustin is connected to 77 scenes, 55 dialogue lines, 56 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
77 scenes / 55 dialogue linesTom is listed as Activist. 24 years old, working-class handsome. In the parsed data, Tom is connected to 24 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 59.
24 scenes / 1 dialogue linesA. Philip Randolph is listed as Civil Rights Leader. Wisened, 71 years old. In the parsed data, A. Philip Randolph is connected to 22 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
22 scenes / 10 dialogue linesMartin Luther King Jr. is listed as Civil Rights Leader. 30 years old, co-pastor of Ebenezer. In the parsed data, Martin Luther King Jr. is connected to 18 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
18 scenes / 11 dialogue linesElias Taylor is listed as Field Organizer. 29 years old, handsome, self-effacing. In the parsed data, Elias Taylor is connected to 16 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 30.
16 scenes / 3 dialogue linesRoy Wilkins is listed as NAACP Executive Secretary. 59 years old, authoritative, grandiose. In the parsed data, Roy Wilkins is connected to 13 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
13 scenes / 7 dialogue linesAdam Clayton Powell is listed as Harlem Congressman. 52 years old, movie-star handsome, eloquent and slick. In the parsed data, Adam Clayton Powell is connected to 10 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
10 scenes / 11 dialogue linesElla Baker is listed as Civil Rights Activist. Early 60s, sharp and strong. In the parsed data, Ella Baker is connected to 10 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
10 scenes / 4 dialogue lineschar_11 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_11 is connected to 5 scenes, first appearing around scene 47.
5 scenes / 0 dialogue lineschar_14 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_14 is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 58.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue linesCoretta Scott King is listed as Martin Luther King's wife. 36 years old, beautiful and warm. In the parsed data, Coretta Scott King is connected to 3 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 85.
3 scenes / 1 dialogue lineschar_15 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_15 is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 51.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue lineschar_16 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_16 is connected to 3 scenes, first appearing around scene 51.
3 scenes / 0 dialogue linesA.J. Muste is listed as War Resisters League Leader. 75 years old, pale and patrician. In the parsed data, A.J. Muste is connected to 2 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 13.
2 scenes / 1 dialogue lineschar_12 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_12 is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 48.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue lineschar_13 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_13 is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 48.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue lineschar_18 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_18 is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 54.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue lineschar_19 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_19 is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 54.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesBayard Rustin, A. Philip Randolph, and Ella Baker meet with Martin Luther King Jr. to discuss organizing protests at the Democratic Convention.
Bayard Rustin, A. Philip Randolph, Ella Baker, Martin Luther King Jr.Bayard announces Martin's participation to a group of young activists.
Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr.Adam Clayton Powell and Roy Wilkins discuss their disapproval of the planned protests.
Adam Clayton Powell, Roy WilkinsMartin and Bayard sing together, interrupted by Powell's off-screen threats.
Martin Luther King Jr., Bayard Rustin, Adam Clayton PowellPowell and Wilkins plot against Rustin and King.
Adam Clayton Powell, Roy WilkinsBayard and Martin say goodbye.
Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr.Powell threatens to expose the truth about Martin.
Adam Clayton PowellRandolph defends Bayard against Powell's lies.
A. Philip RandolphBayard plans to resign to force Martin's maturation.
Bayard RustinBayard is ousted from the movement by Martin.
Bayard Rustin, Roy Wilkins, Martin Luther King Jr.Bayard realizes he has been ousted.
Bayard RustinThree years later, Bayard works at the War Resisters League.
Bayard RustinBayard participates in a protest with A.J. Muste.
Bayard Rustin, A.J. MusteBayard walks home after his arrest.
Bayard RustinBayard returns home exhausted.
Bayard RustinBayard attends a party and meets Tom.
Bayard Rustin, TomA confrontation occurs in the kitchen.
Bayard Rustin, TomTom visits Bayard and they become intimate.
Bayard Rustin, TomBayard begins planning a new protest.
Bayard RustinBayard asks Tom to be his assistant.
Bayard Rustin, TomBayard presents his plan for a massive protest.
Bayard Rustin, TomThe team brainstorms protest tactics.
Bayard Rustin, TomBayard reviews the progress of the planning.
Bayard RustinBayard instructs his team to visualize the logistics of the upcoming march.
Bayard RustinBayard visits Randolph at his apartment.
Bayard Rustin, A. Philip RandolphA series of images showing Bayard and Randolph with Lucille.
Bayard Rustin, A. Philip RandolphBayard convinces Randolph to support the new march.
Bayard Rustin, A. Philip RandolphRandolph and Bayard walk to the meeting, with Randolph warning Bayard to behave.
Bayard Rustin, A. Philip Randolph, TomA tense meeting where Roy Wilkins challenges the march plan.
Bayard Rustin, A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, Elias TaylorBayard and Elias have a private conversation in the restroom.
Bayard Rustin, Elias TaylorBayard meets Claudia Taylor, Elias's wife.
Bayard Rustin, Tom, Elias TaylorBayard confirms Tom as his assistant.
Bayard Rustin, Tom, Elias TaylorLucille's wake.
Bayard Rustin, A. Philip Randolph, Ella Baker, Roy WilkinsBayard and Elias drink and discuss Dr. King.
Bayard Rustin, Elias TaylorBayard and Elias continue drinking and talking about their personal lives.
Bayard Rustin, Elias TaylorDeep conversation between Bayard and Elias.
Bayard Rustin, Elias TaylorElias kisses Bayard.
Bayard Rustin, Elias TaylorBayard argues with his staff about the Birmingham protests.
Bayard Rustin, A.J. MusteElla Baker visits Bayard and urges him to reconcile with Dr. King.
Bayard Rustin, Ella BakerBayard prepares to board a bus.
Bayard RustinFlashback to 1942.
Bayard RustinBayard reads about Medgar Evers' death.
Bayard RustinBayard arrives at the King home.
Bayard Rustin, Coretta Scott KingBayard plays with the children and sings with Coretta.
Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott KingBayard and Martin discuss the logistics and political challenges of the upcoming March on Washington.
Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr.Roy Wilkins watches Martin's televised announcement of the march with disapproval, while Bayard watches with pride.
Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr., Roy WilkinsBayard, Randolph, and others arrive at the NAACP headquarters, encountering Cleve Robinson.
Bayard Rustin, A. Philip Randolph, Tom, Elias Taylor, Roy Wilkins, char_11The Big 6 meet to discuss the march budget and timeline; Roy Wilkins attempts to exclude others.
Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr., A. Philip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, char_11, char_12Bayard and his team wait while the Big 6 meeting continues.
Bayard Rustin, A. Philip Randolph, Tom, Elias Taylor, char_11, char_12Randolph informs Bayard that he has been removed as Director but reappointed as Deputy Director.
Bayard Rustin, A. Philip Randolph, Tom, char_11Bayard assigns roles to his team in the new office space.
Bayard Rustin, Ella Baker, Tom, Elias Taylor, char_11, char_15Bayard meets with Chief Wells to discuss march logistics.
Bayard Rustin, Elias Taylor, char_17Bayard calls Martin to report the hostility from the National Park Service.
Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr.The team shares stories about their motivations for joining the movement.
Bayard Rustin, Tom, char_15, char_16, char_18, char_19Bayard deals with loneliness and a tense interaction with Tom.
Bayard Rustin, TomBayard coaches Elias on his public speaking style.
Bayard Rustin, Elias TaylorThe office is busy with preparations.
Bayard Rustin, Ella Baker, char_15, char_16, char_18, char_19John Lewis reports on the meeting with the President.
Bayard Rustin, char_14John Lewis reports to Bayard about the meeting with the President and the Attorney General regarding the march.
Bayard Rustin, TomThe Big 6 meet to discuss logistical issues and internal conflicts regarding the march.
Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr., A. Philip Randolph, Ella Baker, Roy Wilkins, TomRandolph, Martin, Dr. Anna, and Bayard discuss the compromise on the march duration.
Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr., A. Philip Randolph, Ella BakerBayard faces his team who are upset about the changes to the march plans.
Bayard Rustin, TomJoyce and Dorie share their personal stories to raise funds for the march.
The team processes donations and funds for the march.
Norm promotes the march via loudspeaker.
Tom speaks to union members to gain support.
TomCharlene and the team share a new idea with Bayard.
Bayard RustinBayard greets the audience at a benefit concert for the march.
Bayard RustinStevie Wonder performs at the benefit.
Volunteers hawk march buttons.
The team hangs a banner for the march.
A truck promotes the march in Georgia.
Elias speaks to a congregation while Bayard watches.
Bayard Rustin, Elias TaylorBayard prepares for the march while under FBI surveillance.
Bayard Rustin, TomBayard witnesses a police raid at a gay bar.
Bayard Rustin, Elias TaylorBayard meets with Bill Johnson to discuss the Guardians.
Bayard RustinBayard reacts to Strom Thurmond's radio attack.
Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr., TomThe team celebrates a positive press mention.
Bayard Rustin, TomBayard prepares for a meeting with the Big 10.
Bayard RustinThe Big 10 meeting takes place.
Bayard Rustin, Martin Luther King Jr., A. Philip Randolph, Ella Baker, Adam Clayton Powell, Roy WilkinsLet freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvacious slopes of California. But not only that, let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, Black men and White men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: Free at last. Free at last. Thank God almighty, we are free at last.
Wyatt, Wyatt-- Congressman Powell has done so much for Harlem; almost as much as he's done for himself, but this is a bold-faced lie and he knows it! I'm fully aware Martin is your boss as well as your friend, but allow me to first speak with Bayard, as it's certain to disorder his soul most of all.
Friend, one of my greatest joys is watching you rise. The Lord speaks through you. That direct line can lead us into Los Angeles, where we will most vigorously let Kennedy, Johnson, and the entire Democratic Party know, that unless they show up for our people, our people will not show up for them.
And so, after a day spent flooding the Capitol and encircling the White House, so that the President of the United States cannot get in or out of his own home, our intrepid protesters would retire to tents, which now cover the National Mall. Day One.
This country has failed us, over and over. Even so, each day, we forgive by fighting to make things right, yet you can't forgive Martin for failing you one time.
A man in uniform unleashes attack dogs, turns a fire hose on the innocent, and the first words out of your goddamn mouth are 'Shame on Reverend King.'
Six years ago, Brown vs. Board of Education became the law of the land, yet there is nothing in the Democratic platform addressing its enforcement.
Unless we demonstrate unity and strength, Kennedy will do what they've all done before: champion legislature destined to be doomed.
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