Roots

Section: Talent

DVD Review by Kam Williams

Headline: 30th Anniversary Edition of Emmy-Winning Miniseries Arrives on DVD

Originally airing on television in 1977, the miniseries Roots was an
adaptation of Alex Haley�s Pulitzer Prize-winning best seller. The
groundbreaking autobiographical adventure introduced Levar Burton in the
lead role as Kunta Kinte, and featured far too many co-stars to list them
all, including O.J. Simpson, Lou Gossett, Jr., John Amos, Ed Asner, Ben
Vereen, Maya Angelou, Roxie Roker, Scatman Crothers, Lloyd Bridges, George
Hamilton, Todd Bridges, Burl Ives, Chuck Connors, Yvonne De Carlo, Lorne
Greene, Yaphet Kotto, Cicely Tyson, and Haley himself, to name a few.
The sweeping, genealogical saga sought to encapsulate the black experience
by telescoping on the author�s own family tree, starting in Africa in 1750
and ending in Arkansas a couple of centuries later. The show served as an
eye-opening expose� on the evils of slavery, as it forced the U.S. for the
first time to face that long-suppressed aspect of its legacy.
Among the critically-acclaimed program�s accolades were
nine Emmys, a Golden Globe, a Peabody, and over one hundred other awards.
Unfortunately, the production later lost a bit of its luster when Haley was
sued successfully for plagiarizing parts of what was supposed to be based on
his own very personal journey of self-discovery.
Though appearing a bit melodramatic in spots by today�s
standards, this dramatization holds up enough to remain heartily recommended
as a valuable history lesson and as a juxtaposition to demeaning satires of
the series over the intervening years by shock comics such as Dave
Chappelle.

Excellent (4 stars)
Unrated
In English, Spanish and French with subtitles.
Running time: 9 hours, 33 minutes
Studio: Warner Home Video
DVD Extras: Audi commentary by Levar Burton, Cicely Tyson and Ed Asner,
Roots Family Tree CD Rom, cast members reminiscences, and �Behind the
Scenes� plus another featurette.