Watch The Pruitt-Igoe Myth

The Pruitt-Igoe Myth is a documentary film from 2011 that explores the rise and fall of one of America's most notorious public housing projects. The film takes a critical look at the events that led up to the construction of the Pruitt-Igoe housing complex in St. Louis, Missouri, and the social and economic factors that contributed to its ultimate failure.

The film begins by providing historical context for the construction of Pruitt-Igoe, a massive housing project designed to provide housing for low-income families in the post-World War II era. The filmmakers explain that the complex was the product of a broader push for urban renewal in the 1950s and 60s, which aimed to improve the living conditions of America's urban poor by replacing slums with modern, high-rise housing projects.

However, as the film shows, the reality of life in Pruitt-Igoe was far from the utopia that urban planners had envisioned. The complex was plagued by crime, poverty, and social isolation, and many of its residents felt trapped in a cycle of poverty and hopelessness.

The filmmakers examine the various factors that contributed to the failure of Pruitt-Igoe, including systemic racism, faulty design, and the erosion of social programs in the 1970s. They also take a critical look at the media coverage of the project, which often portrayed its residents as lazy, uneducated, or criminal.

Throughout the film, the filmmakers use a combination of archival footage, interviews, and stunning aerial shots of the now-demolished complex to paint a vivid picture of life in Pruitt-Igoe. The interviews with former residents and urban scholars provide valuable insights into the social and economic dynamics that surrounded the project.

The documentary is also marked by a strong sense of empathy for the residents of Pruitt-Igoe, who are often portrayed as victims of a flawed system. The film highlights the human stories behind the statistics, exploring the lives of ordinary people who found themselves caught up in a larger social experiment.

At the same time, the filmmakers do not shy away from the complex political and economic factors that contributed to the demise of the project. The film's analysis of the broader social forces at work in urban America provides a nuanced and thought-provoking perspective on the history of public housing in the United States.

Overall, The Pruitt-Igoe Myth is a powerful and deeply affecting documentary that sheds light on one of the most important social issues of our time. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of urban America, the politics of public housing, or the ongoing struggles of low-income families in this country. As the filmmakers make clear, the story of Pruitt-Igoe is not just a story of failure or tragedy; it is a story of hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

The Pruitt-Igoe Myth is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 70.