User Reviews

Great film for those interested in labor and civil rights history in the U.S. in the 20th century. As a retired UAW member I had the privilege over the year of meeting a few of the people in the film, Victor Reuther, Doug Frasier, and Jerry Tucker. I certainly hope it gets to be on PBS as it is important historically to our country. Thank you Sasha Reuther for making this valuable contribution to documenting some of our history. I saw the film on May 5, 2012 in Chicago at the Labor Notes Conferece. I hope to some day be able to purchase it for my local union library in Three Rivers, Michigan. It is unfortunate that the UAW itself turned it's back on Victor Reuther in the 1980's when he challenged some of the actions of those that inherited the movement he and his brothers had built. Pete Bennett

I saw the world premier last night at the Birmingham Michigan Uptown Film Festival.

This is a terrific documentary that enthralled everyone present. Many in this country do not know enough about the history of the labor movement and what unions did to establish a middle class in this country. I would love to see this movie on PBS and I believe it will be used in classrooms at the high school and college levels.

First person interviews and archival footage bring this period of our history to life. Of interest, the Ted Kennedy interview were among the last he gave before his death.

I have watched this most inspirational and important documentary several times now, and at every sitting, I have noticed something new and fascinating that had never struck me before. It only serves to show the versatility of this film and its successful marriage of archival footage with current-day clips. The pacing and music were excellent, but most riveting is the story line itself. It offers a unique historical perspective on the country's labor movement, its triumphs and troubles, while shedding a contemplative light on the labor movement in general today. It also left me thinking and wishing that labor leaders were viewed in a more heroic light - given their ultimate sacrifice and dedication to the cause of social justice. Brothers On The Line was truly enjoyable and incredibly exhilarating.

Sasha Reuther's beautifully created documentary "Brothers on the Line" depicts an important part of American history oft forgotten or neglected. Charged with passion for the social justice topics it covers, the documentary is as much a personal journey for this Reuther as it is a critical and unbiased assessment of the contributions of the UAW, and its leaders - his grandfather Victor Reuther, and grand uncles Walter and Roy. The rare archival material, the music, story-telling and the narration by Martin Sheen, further transform this brilliant film, making it an engaging and moving documentary - one that viewers will always remember.

An educational and inspirational film on organized labor and the immense good that unionism has done for improving the lives of the working class in America.

Hopefully this documentary will serve to educate a new generation on the positive influence which unions in general, and more specifically, the UAW, has had in building the middle class and serving as a powerful vehicle for civil rights and social justice.

This is not so much a reaffirmation of a forgotten or lost history, but rather a new shining of the light of truth on a history which has been slandered, disparaged and lied about by the powerful and corrupting influence of corporate money and thirty plus years of intentional anti-union misinformation in all areas of public discourse.

Its time to stop the lies, time to fight back against the corporate culture of greed and exploitation which is threatening the economic prosperity of this nation, destroying the middle class and once again squeezing the life out of the working poor.

We can change our economic course...we did it before...the Reuther Brothers and the UAW are a testament to that...and we can do it again. We just have to organize and work together in a spirit of common cause and solidarity for the betterment of all, not just the privileged few, for the nation as a whole and not just those who live behind mansion gates paid for by the exploited labor of America's hard working men and women.

i saw brothers on the line last night at the DC film fest. having been raised in Detroit in a family active in both the labor and civil rights movement, i was very very excited to see brothers on the line. so often, i see movies that depict part of Detroit's history and exploit both the economic and political failure that have plagued our hometown since the 60s. this film was one of the few that did the complex and confounding history with respect and insight! it was a fantastic mix of archival footage and original interviews, well paced, well shot and a real pleasure to watch! i was particularly pleased with the inclusion of DRUM and the honesty with which Sasha Reuther engaged the personal and political it was an exceptional biopic and also so much more! an amazing movie at such a critical time!

A great movie. This should be shown to every school child. Workers died to form unions, and we are letting that sacrifice go so easily. The Ford Service Department and thug union busters that tried to kill the Reuther Brothers have been replaced by think tanks, PACs and Republicans. Unions have been on the right side of social history; from Civil Rights to health care.

Martin Sheen does a great job as narrator. The archival footage was great, and it was blended well with present day interviews. A great job of storytelling of a story far too many people have forgotten.

I have seen it twice, and it holds my interest every time.

The impact of the Reuther family on the history and social development of the United States and the world can not be overstated. "Brothers On The Line" documents not only the time line of their challenges and important events, but it also provides a window into the character of the men, women and organizations that formed the heart of the America's labor movement. With Martin Sheen's narration, Natalie Merchant's searing rendition of the Union call to arms, "Which side Are You On?", the movie revisits vital landmarks in the development of the labor movement. The means for attaining a lifestyle that we have come to label "middle class" was gained for millions upon millions of workers here and abroad by the Reuthers and others via the monumental struggles with the industrial giants of their time. The film captures the progression of those struggles, the benefits to workers everywhere and the courage of those willing to lay it all on the line in the name of fair and humane treatment for all. Brothers On The Line measures up to any historical documentary and will stand the test of time as an important document in the tableau of American history.