The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020), directed by Aaron Sorkin, is a historical legal drama based on the real-life trial of seven anti-Vietnam War activists charged with inciting riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The film follows the defendants—Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, Tom Hayden, Bobby Seale, and others—as they face politically charged charges in a trial that became a symbol of the turbulent era. It highlights the clash between idealism and the political establishment, with the defendants’ antics contrasting sharply against the serious accusations and courtroom proceedings.
The movie explores themes of justice, protest, and social change, capturing the deep divisions within American society during the 1960s. Sorkin’s sharp dialogue and an ensemble cast, including Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, and Mark Rylance, deliver powerful performances that emphasize the absurdities and injustices of the trial. The film ultimately serves as a critique of the political system and its attempts to silence dissent.
