Watch Mighty Ira

Mighty Ira is a documentary film directed by Nico Perrino and Aaron Reese about the life and career of Ira Glasser, the former executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The film takes a deep dive into the challenges and obstacles Glasser faced while leading one of the most influential activist organizations in the United States during his tenure, which spanned from 1978 to 2001.

Mighty Ira is told through compelling interviews with Glasser himself, as well as those who know him best, including family members, colleagues, and civil rights activists who worked alongside him. The film also features archival footage of some of the ACLU's most high-profile cases, including the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, the fight for marriage equality, and the campaign against racial profiling.

The film's narrative is interwoven with Glasser's personal story, from his early days as a Jewish kid growing up in Brooklyn to his early activism as a student at the University of Buffalo. It also shines a light on the relationships and tensions he had with other notable public figures, such as conservative columnist William F. Buckley, Jr. and fellow ACLU activist Roger Craver.

Mighty Ira highlights the pivotal role that Glasser played in guiding the ACLU through some of the most tumultuous periods in American history, including the War on Drugs, the AIDS epidemic, and the post-9/11 era. It demonstrates how his steadfast commitment to defending civil liberties and fighting for social justice led to significant victories in the courts and in the court of public opinion.

Throughout the film, we see the evolution of Glasser's views and strategies over the years, from his early days as a street protestor to his more strategic approach as head of the ACLU. Along the way, he battled against censorship, police brutality, the death penalty, and other issues that threatened the constitutional rights of Americans.

Mighty Ira is an engaging and inspiring documentary that offers a unique insight into the life of a civil rights icon. It is a reminder of the importance of defending civil liberties and fighting for justice, no matter how difficult the road may be. Ultimately, it is a testament to the power of one person to make a difference and to the legacy that Ira Glasser has left behind.

Mighty Ira is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.