罗根·布雷德（史蒂夫·詹姆斯 Steve James 饰）曾是一名警校优秀毕业生，他也梦想成为父亲那样的好警察。然而在纽约这个藏污纳垢的国际大都市中，许多罪恶肆意滋生，而警方又爱莫能助。为了涤清罪恶，5年前罗根选择成为一名赏金猎人，他一面赚取警方赏金，一面与犯罪分子进行残酷的斗争，终日游走黑白世界，为此和身为酒吧主唱歌手的女友迪妮丝（Valarie Pettiford 饰）关系分外紧张。

美国人权运动的展现，记录了美国黑人音乐家在20世纪中叶，用音乐的形式，激励美国黑人以和平抗议手段来获得平等权力的经过，通过采访马丁路得金的妻子，人权运动积极分子，歌手，作曲家等，将美国黑人反抗种族歧视，隔离政策等所做的努力，同时也展现了当权政府血腥镇压，还有暗杀，爆炸等恐怖行为到最后屈服于全美人民的意志过程。
The American civil rights movement is vividly captured by Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman--award winners for their collaboration on Nanking--through image and song. And what song! Compelling archival footage is set against dynamite contemporary performances of movement anthems by, among others, Wyclef Jean, John Legend, Anthony Hamilton and the Blind Boys of Alabama, Richie Havens, The Roots and Joss Stone (whose stirring rendition of "Eyes on the Prize" is a stand out).
The freedom songs evolved from slave chants, the labour movement and, especially, from the black church. The music enabled blacks to sing what they couldn't say, and it was crucial in helping the protesters as they faced down brutal aggression with dignity and nonviolence. The infectious energy of the songs swept people up--as they do again here--and empowered them keep fighting. The film also features interviews with civil rights soldiers and leaders of the movement, including Congressman John Lewis, Harry Belafonte, Julian Bond and Ambassador Andrew Young, but it is the songs themselves that are really the stars here. A celebration of the power of music to give strength and hope, Soundtrack for a Revolution is a vibrant, soul-stirring experience and a film of significance, energy and power.