Between 1945 and the early 50s, the lives of thousands of ordinary citizens were destroyed because they were accused of un-American activities. Government workers, teachers, union leaders, scientist, artists, writers—anyone who expressed a liberal or left-wing opinion—could be identified as a communist or a fellow traveler.

In this film both the anti-communists and the victims of the notorious McCarthy witch hunts talk candidly about the era of anti-communist hysteria and blacklists. It introduces men and women who joined the Communist Party out of idealism and in reaction to injustices in American society, such as poverty, and racism, but had no thoughts of violently overthrowing the government.

More than 400 people were brought to trial and about one-third were sent to prison and assessed huge fines. The execution of the Rosenbergs was the culmination of the hysteria. Arthur Kinoy, a constitutional lawyer, recalls his efforts to stay the execution. Archival newsreels, old propaganda films, and newspaper cartoons recapture those days.

"Recommended."
–MC Journal: The Journal of Academic Media Librarianship

"A good choice for promoting classroom discussion and raising awareness about this era."
–Booklist