You Got to Move is a profoundly touching documentary that follows people from communities in the Southern United States in their various processes of becoming involved in social change. The film's centerpiece is the Highlander Folk School (now known as Highlander Research and Education Center), a 50-year-old center for education and social action that was somehow involved in each of the lives chronicled in the documentary.

You Got to Move recalls the courage of those who fought for Civil Rights, from literacy programs for blacks to pass voter requirements in the 1950's and 60's to housewives who overcame their feelings of inadequacy to challenge environmental destruction in their communities.

You Got to Move features folk, country and gospel music from the Southern United States and in fact takes its name from an old spiritual.