Kent State

April 07, 2025

Kent State

Airdate

February 8th, 1981 on NBC

Directed by

James Goldstone

Written by

Gerald Green

Joseph Kelner

Richard Kramer

James A. Michener

James Munvas

J. Gregory Pine

Starring

Charley Lang

Talia Balsam

Keith Gordon

Will Patton

Ellen Barkin

Trivia

From IMDb: "The film was originally intended to run four hours over two nights and was shot that way. But NBC executives later changed their minds, demanding the three-hour, one-night version that aired in February 1981. A scene set in the present day (1980) and involving a memorial to the four victims, was shot but didn't make the final cut."

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Kent State is an Emmy award-winning made-for-TV docudrama. It is based on the true story of the Kent State University massacre that occurred on May 4th, 1970 in Kent, Ohio. Four university students were killed and nine wounded by members of the National Guard during a peaceful protest. The film covers the initial riot and protests made in objection to President Nixon's decision to covertly bomb the country of Cambodia, expanding the Vietnam War. The President's announcement came as a shock to citizens, as he'd previously vowed to end the war, and the outrage led to student strikes across the United States.

In the film, viewers follow personal moments in the lives of the students, faculty, and National Guard members, allowing a better understanding of the characters whose lives were taken and those responsible for the needless deaths.

The film captures the feeling of an era impossible to replicate today and carries with it magnitude and depth. The facts it presents should never be forgotten.

Mr. Von Dohlen portrays a young soldier named Cal who has been with the National Guard for only a matter of days. He is demeaned by his superiors due to his tenderheartedness.

In one scene, Cal's friend, a fellow National Guardsman, states that the pair work in a fast food restaurant. The way Cal demonstrates that he is in charge of preparing shakes betrays his youth. He is essentially a child and unprepared for the challenges he's taken on by becoming a member of the National Guard. He stepped into the role to honor his brother.

At the climax, Cal is one of the soldiers who fires at students. He is despondent by the thought that he may have wounded one of the fallen. Wrestling with his emotions and guilt, he later asks his friend pleadingly, "They were going to kill us, weren't they?" Weren't they?"

Streaming Availability

Kent State is available free of charge at Tubi

You can purchase the film on Amazon

Kent State is also on VHS, Betamax and non-US release DVDs.

The film is also available on YouTube

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