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Do the Right Thing (Original title)
Date: 1989 (Copyright)

Country: USA

Director: Spike Lee

Synopsis: Racial tensions simmer on the hottest day of the year in this gripping, Brooklyn-set comedy drama.

Genres:
Comedy, Drama

Subjects:
Brooklyn, Ethnicity
Releases
Date: 1989Country: USARelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - Duartcolor - Sound - DolbyRuntime: 120 mins Length: 10795 FeetDialogue (original): English
Date: 23 June 1989Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - SoundRuntime: 120 mins Length: 10795 FeetDialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: United International Pictures (UK) Ltd
Date: October 2015Country: United KingdomRelease type: InternetFormat: not specified - Colour - SoundRuntime: 114 mins Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: BFIPlayer
Date: 2023Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: 35mm Film - Colour - SoundDialogue (original): English

Articles held in BFI Reuben Library (48)
In: Empire n242 August 2009  Page: 140
Title: At home/DVD reissues: Do the Right ThingAuthor: FREER, Ian Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: CineAction! n75 2008  Pages: 4-19
Title: The Bones of Reagan or The Ruins of Art Cinema in Contemporary American FilmAuthor: VARGA, Darrell Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Part of a whole issue on art cinema.

In: Empire n227 May 2008  Pages: 123-132,134-135
Title: The greatest movie studios: part 3: a complete history of...Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: "...Universal". History of Universal Pictures including a timeline, sidebars about monster movies, theme parks and its iconic logo. Plus a top ten listing of Universal's best films.

In: Empire n201 March 2006  Pages: 77-88,90-101
Title: 201 Greatest movies of all timeArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A listing of the top two hundred and one films as chosen by the reader's of Empire magazine. With comments by actors and filmmaker's.

In: Literature/Film Quarterly v34 n1 2006  Pages: 9-18
Title: Mookie as "Wavering Hero": Do the Right Thing and the...Author: BARTLEY, William Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: "...American Historical Romance".

In: Sight and Sound vSuppl nBlack World July 2005  Pages: 8-12
Title: Boyz in the woodAuthor: GEORGE, Nelson Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Supplement published as a tie-in to the BFI's Black World, a UK-wide celebration of Black cinema (June-November 2005). Traces the development of American hip hop cinema, from WILD STYLE to 8 MILE, and considers its digital future.

In: Sight and Sound v15 n6 June 2005  Page: 82
Title: Do the Right ThingAuthor: BELL, James Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Journal of Popular Film & Television v33 n3 Autumn 2005  Pages: 151-159
Title: A Name, a Number and a Picture: The Cinematic...Author: ARDOLINO, Frank Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: "...Memorialization of Jackie Robinson". Studies nine films that use Jackie Robinson's image to address problems of anti-semitism, child abuse and racism.

In: Empire n193 July 2005  Pages: 172-173
Title: RWD Masterpieve #25: Do the Right ThingAuthor: CROOK, Simon Article type: DVD ReviewLanguage: English

In: Journal of Film and Video v56 n2 Summer 2004  Pages: 32-44
Title: Dead-End Days: The Sacrifice of Displaced Workers on FilmAuthor: KING, Neal Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Study of `Do the Right Thing', `Dog Day Afternoon', `Falling Down', `John Q', `Mad City', `The Negotiator' and `Set It Off'.

In: Premiere v16 n2 October 2002  Pages: 33-35,38-54,56,58-60,62-64,66,68-72,74-76,78-80,82,84-90,92-94,96
Title: 15th anniversary special issueArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A celebration of the first 15 years of the American magazine Premiere, with features on Spike Lee's DO THE RIGHT THING, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Martin Scorsese

In: Sight and Sound v12 n8 August 2002  Pages: 26-28
Title: Fear of a black cinemaAuthor: TAUBIN, Amy Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Spike Lee's DO THE RIGHT THING is considered as a possible contender in a "top ten movies of all time" list. Includes quotations from contemporary reviews.

In: Creative Screenwriting v6 n3 May/Jun 1999  Pages: 43-45
Title: Spike Lee: playwright with a cameraAuthor: CHATMAN, Delle Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Some analysis of the structure of Spike Lee's screenplay for DO THE RIGHT THING.

In: Film Quarterly v51 n2 Winter 1997/8  Pages: 2-20
Title: The City as the CountryAuthor: MacDONALD, Scott Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: "The New York City Symphony from Rudy Burckhardt to Spike Lee". Looking particularly at how New York has been depicted in films, through the work of Rudy Burckhardt, Weegee, Marie Menken, Hilary Harris and Spike Lee's DO THE RIGHT THING.

In: Post Script v16 n2 Win/Spr 1997  Pages: 18-34
Title: Film frames: cinematic literacy and satiric violence...Author: BISHOP, Ellen Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: An illustration of US students developing film literacy through their study of satiric violence in The SIMPSONS (1989-), SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991), NATURAL BORN KILLERS (1994), HIGHER LEARNING (1995), DO THE RIGHT THING (1989).

In: Literature/Film Quarterly v24 n1 1996  Pages: 26-31
Title: Spike Lee and the American TraditionAuthor: LINDROTH, Colette Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Analysis of DO THE RIGHT THING, placing it in the tradition of American literature.

In: Studies in Latin American Popular Culture v15 1996  Pages: 154-173
Title: Expanding the popular culture debatesAuthor: VARGAS, Jocelyn A. Géliga Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A study of Hollywood treatment of Puerto Rican women, focussing on the films WEST SIDE STORY, POPI, SALSA, DO THE RIGHT THING and WHITE MEN CAN'T JUMP

In: CineAction! n40 May 1996  Pages: 44-72
Title: [CineAction! - n40 May 1996: no known title]Author: LIGHTNING, R. Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Four articles analysing DO THE RIGHT THING, discussing its genre; the conflict and resolution in its narrative; mixed messages of multiculturalism; and the violence involved in the intergenerational relationships portrayed.

In: Film Quarterly v47 n2 Winter 1993  Pages: 18-29
Title: Polyphony and cultural expression:interpreting musical tr...Author: JOHNSON, Victoria E. Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Spike Lee's use of music in his films, particularly in DO THE RIGHT THING.

In: Sight and Sound v1 n2 June 1991  Page: 68
Title: [Sight and Sound - v1 n2 June 1991: no known title]Article type: NoteLanguage: English
Description: Video note

In: Film Comment v27 n4 Jul/Aug 1991  Pages: 50-54,56
Title: Broadway Danny AielloAuthor: SMITH, Gavin Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A brief career review is followed by an interview with the actor Danny Aiello, about his various films - ONCE AROUND, 29TH STREET, and DO THE RIGHT THING; and working with Woody Allen and Spike Lee.

In: Empire n28 October 1991  Page: 122
Title: ClassicArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Classic scene from DO THE RIGHT THING.

In: Cinema Papers n78 March 1990  Pages: 52-53
Title: [Cinema Papers - n78 March 1990: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English
Description: Review of the film and consideration of some of the issues it covers and raises.

In: Screen v31 n1 Spring 1990  Pages: 26-44
Title: Ballots, bullets, or Batmen, etc.Author: Ross, Andrew Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Cultural criticism, focusing on BATMAN and DO THE RIGHT THING.

In: CineAction! n21/22 Sum/Aut 1990  Pages: 91-98
Title: "Fuck Sal's Pizza" - Spike Lee's DO THE RIGHT THING as a ...Author: HURST, James A. Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: In an issue devoted to authorship. "Spike Lee's DO THE RIGHT THING as a Product of the Hip Hop Movement"

In: Cinéaste v17 n4 1990  Pages: 32-39
Title: What is the right thing? A symposium on Spike Lee's Do the..Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: A critical symposium on DO THE RIGHT THING with contribut- ions from various journalists, filmmakers and teachers.

In: Empire n9 March 1990  Page: 79
Title: Empire directoryAuthor: McILHENEY, Barry Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Variety 24 May 1989  Page: 26
Title: [Variety - 24 May 1989: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Black Film Review v5 n2 Spring 1989  Pages: 13-15
Title: Spike Lee's Look at the Realities of RacismAuthor: JONES, Jacquie Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Article plus interview with Spike Lee on DO THE RIGHT THING

In: The Listener v122 n3138 2 Nov 1989  Pages: 10-11
Title: [The Listener - v122 n3138 2 Nov 1989: no known title]Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Article about the controversy the film has caused and the recent racial attacks that have happened in New York which parallel those depicted in the film.

In: Le Film Francais n2244/5 5 May 1989  Page: 28
Title: [ Le Film Francais - n2244/5 5 May 1989: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: French
Description: Credits and synopsis (in French and English).

In: Film Quarterly v43 n2 Winter 1989/90  Pages: 35-40
Title: [Film Quarterly - v43 n2 Winter 1989/90: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Positif n341/342 Jul/Aug 1989  Pages: 110-111
Title: Les FilmsAuthor: CIEUTAT, Michel Article type: CreditsLanguage: French

In: Monthly Film Bulletin v56 n666 July 1989  Pages: 203-204
Title: [Monthly Film Bulletin - v56 n666 July 1989: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: Films and Filming n418 August 1989  Pages: 39-40
Title: [Films and Filming - n418 August 1989: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Variety 22 Nov 1989  Page: 83
Title: [Variety - 22 Nov 1989: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Article about its trasfer to video.

In: Premiere n147 June 1989  Pages: 104-107
Title: [Premiere - n147 June 1989: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: French
Description: Spike Lee talks about his film DO THE RIGHT THING which was praised by the critics but won no prizes at the 1989 Cannes film festival.

In: Film Comment v25 n4 Jul/Aug 1989  Pages: 12-16,18
Title: [Film Comment - v25 n4 Jul/Aug 1989: no known title]Article type: InterviewLanguage: English
Description: Interview with Spike Lee about his film DO THE RIGHT THING.

In: Sight and Sound v58 n4 Autumn 1989  Page: 281
Title: Blackass talkArticle type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Empire n2 August 1989  Page: 88
Title: Empire directoryAuthor: BRADLEY, Lloyd Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Screen International n710 24 Jun 1989  Page: 26
Title: [Screen International - n710 24 Jun 1989: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: City Limits n403 22 Jun 1989  Page: 19
Title: [City Limits - n403 22 Jun 1989: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: American Film v14 n10 September 1989  Page: 15
Title: [American Film - v14 n10 September 1989: no known title]Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Article about the controversy caused by a Public Enemy spokesman's anti-semitic remarks before the release of the film in the US, which appalled Spike Lee. Public Enemy provided most of the music for DO THE RIGHT THING

In: Time Out n983 21 Jun 1989  Page: 35
Title: [Time Out - n983 21 Jun 1989: no known title]Article type: ReviewLanguage: English

In: Premiere v2 n12 August 1989  Pages: 78-85
Title: Burn baby burnAuthor: TATE, Greg Article type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Article about Spike lee and his film DO THE RIGHT THING

In: The Hollywood Reporter v307 n35 23 May 1989  Page: 4,35
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v307 n35 23 May 1989: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: The Hollywood Reporter v307 n35 23 May 1989  Page: 4,35
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v307 n35 23 May 1989: no known title]Article type: CreditsLanguage: English

In: The Hollywood Reporter v303 n17 19 Jul 1988  Page: 16
Title: [The Hollywood Reporter - v303 n17 19 Jul 1988: no known title]Language: English
Description: Credits


Books held in BFI Reuben Library (24)
Title: art of Ruth E. Carter: costuming black history and the Afrofuture, from Do the Right Thing to Black Panther
Author: Carter, Ruth E.  Pages: 152 pages

Title: Do the Right Thing
Author: GUERRERO, Edward  Pages: 98 pages

Title: Cinema and the audiovisual imagination: music, image, sound
Author: ROBERTSON, Robert  Pages: xv, 256 pages

Title: Closely watched films: an introduction to the art of narrative film technique
Author: FABE, Marilyn  Pages: xviii, 293 pages

Title: Adaptation theory and criticism: postmodern literature and cinema in the USA
Author: Slethaug, Gordon E.  Pages: vi, 275 pages

Title: Film analysis: a Norton Reader
Author: GEIGER, Jeffrey  Pages: xvii, 1134 pages
Description: Also discusses Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat (1895-1897).

Title: philosophy of Spike Lee
Author: CONARD, Mark T.  Pages: ix, 251 p.

Title: Philosophy, black film, film noir
Author: FLORY, Dan  Pages: xvii, 348 p.

Title: Spike Lee: that's my story and I'm sticking to it
Author: AFTAB, Kaleem  Pages: viii, 324 p.

Title: Post-soul Black cinema: discontinuities, innovations, and breakpoints, 1970-1995
Author: GRANT, IV, William R.  Pages: xvi, 96 p.

Title: Closely watched films: an introduction to the art of narrative film technique
Author: FABE, Marilyn  Pages: xviii, 279 p.

Title: Black city cinema: African American urban experiences in film
Author: MASSOOD, Paula J.  Pages: xi, 268 p.

Title: Schermi della dispersione: cinema, storia e identità nazionale
Author: BUSSI, G. Elisa  Pages: 382 p.

Title: Reading race: Hollywood and the cinema of racial violence
Author: DENZIN, Norman K  Pages: 240 p.

Title: Micropolitics of media culture: reading the rhizomes of Deleuze and Guattari
Author: PISTERS, Patricia  Pages: 302 p.

Title: Do the right thing
Author: GUERRERO, Edward  Pages: 95p.

Title: Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing
Author: REID, Mark A.  Pages: vii-xii, 162p.

Title: Legal reelism: movies as legal texts
Author: DENVIR, John  Pages: xi-xviii, 314p.

Title: Images of postmodern society: social theory and contemporary cinema
Author: DENZIN, Norman K  Pages: 179 pages

Title: Five for five: the films of Spike Lee
Author: MCMILLAN, Terry  Pages: 215p.
Description: Introduction by Spike Lee.

Title: Do the right thing: a Spike Lee joint
Author: LEE, Spike  Pages: 297 pages

Title: Film analysis: a Norton reader
Author: GEIGER, Jeffrey  Pages: 960 p.

Title: Studying American independent cinema
Author: MURRAY, Rona  Pages: 327 p.

Title: Controversial cinema: the films that outraged America
Author: PHILLIPS, Kendall R.  Pages: xxi, 206 p.