George Wallace: Settin’ the Woods on Fire (2000)

Expansive, intricate and in-depth, this documental biography of one of the most controversial figures in the civil rights movement is like a history book come to life. Wallace is controversial, of course, because he was a segregationist. Thank god we live in a time where it might be necessary to explain that word. A segregationist is someone who thought that blacks and whites should be kept separate.

I remember Wallace from my childhood. My mother hated him. Even in his later days, confined to a wheelchair by an assassin’s bullet, and asking for forgiveness for his racist past, my mother, like many Americans I imagine, could not forgive him. Perhaps this is rightly so.

But “Settin’ the wood on fire offers us such a expansive and detailed look at the man’s life that we become engrossed in this character. Loud, bombastic, confrontational, spirited, Wallace emerges from our thoughts of a racist into an interesting and perplexing character. The film does a remarkable job of telling history, allowing us to judge for ourselves, and making sure we have all the pieces of the puzzle, that we begin to see through the thick layer of image that was Wallace and glean some understanding of who he was, where he came from, and, most importantly, why he did some of the things he did.

The film is wonderfully told using narration by Randy Quaid to tie together interview segments (old and new), old footage, and old photographs. Best of all, generally the film is told in lengthy chronological chunks that move us from Wallace’s childhood, through his young adult days, into the government jobs and eventually his repeated bids for top office of the United States, the President.

But the documentary goes into so much information and so much detail, at times it can seem to be stuffed full. It also veers into some seemingly unnecessary sideline stories. For example, in Alabama, the governor was only allowed term in that office by law. Wallace circumvented this law by having his somewhat demure wife run for Governor the next term after his and continuing his power in this way. There is a lengthy sidebar about this story, which also covers much ground about Wallace’s first wife. While it can be interesting at times, it does make the film’s running time overly elongated and doesn’t that much to the central story of Wallace. I’m not saying it’s filler or dull. I’m saying it makes the film even longer. In other words, this is for real history buffs. If you are interested in this subject, it can be engrossing. If not, it makes the film even more tedious.

Still, overall, the deep elaborateness of the film’s delving into one of the most interesting and important times in our American history, coupled with the story of one man’s battling with the choices he has made is riveting. This isn’t a film for high schoolers. Even those on a college level may become bored. But for those of us who remember, the tale is unwove so carefully and with such talent that we are engrossed.

Another pseudo problem with the film is the musical score. The lazy and electric guitar score is often the perfect accompaniment for the film images and moments here. Yet, the film is so long that this perfect underscore often becomes monotonous and noticeable during the film. Worse yet is the “theme” song of the film where a southern yokel seems to screech a chorus of a song that always ends with the line, “Settin’ the woods on fire.” I do not know if this song was made for the film or not. But I do know this, the device is used so often for a lackadaisical exclamation point that it becomes grating. I was delightfully surprised the filmmaker’s didn’t use this machination yet again to end the film.

The story of George Wallace is the story of America. The struggle, the anger and bitterness, the confrontations, the acceptance, the realizations and the seeking of forgiveness is powerful stuff. Wallace in many ways, whether he was aware of it or not, propelled the cause of the civil rights movement in America with his veracity and his conceit. He was a wake-up call for America. His voice fought for righteousness often without him even knowing it.

This is America. This is our modern history. This is a look back at a time and a man that captures the struggle and the spirit of independence in America. And here, thanks to the graciousness and the deliberate work of the filmmakers, it is saved for all eternity. A time capsule for all to marvel at and learn for repeatedly. This is a great American film.

Report Card

Content: A+

Completeness: A+

Cinematography\Lighting: A+

Special Effects\Make Up: A+

Music: B+

Final Grade: A+