1750: The Gambia, West Africa. A new Mandinka warrior is born to Binta and Omoro called Kunta Kinte. His father turns the young baby's face to the heavens and whispers "Behold - the only thing greater than yourself". So begins the most critically and popularly acclaimed television drama of our time, telling the struggle against the suffering, slavery and discrimination endured by generations of black people, as seen through the eyes of Kunta Kinte and his descendants...
Directed by
Marvin J. Chomsky (unknown episodes); John Erman (unknown episodes); David Greene (unknown episodes); Gilbert Moses (unknown episodes).
Written by
William Blinn (unknown episodes); M. Charles Cohen (unknown episodes); Alex Haley (unknown episodes); Ernest Kinoy (unknown episodes); James Lee (unknown episodes).
Starring
Olivia Cole (Mathilda (5 episodes, 1977)); LeVar Burton (Kunta Kinte / ... (4 episodes, 1977)); Ben Vereen ('Chicken' George Moore (4 episodes, 1977)); Vic Morrow (Ames (4 episodes, 1977)); Ji-Tu Cumbuka (Wrestler (3 episodes, 1977)); Edward Asner (Capt. Thomas Davies (3 episodes, 1977)); Ralph Waite (Slater (3 episodes, 1977)); Robert Reed (Dr. William Reynolds (3 episodes, 1977)); Lynda Day George (Mrs. Reynolds (3 episodes, 1977)); John Amos (Toby (3 episodes, 1977)); Madge Sinclair (Bell Reynolds (3 episodes, 1977)); Leslie Uggams (Kizzy Reynolds (3 episodes, 1977)); Carolyn Jones (Mrs. Moore (3 episodes, 1977)); Lloyd Bridges (Evan Brent (3 episodes, 1977)); Georg Stanford Brown (Capt. Thomas Davies (3 episodes, 1977)). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
Important: the following essays and comments are authored by Soul Food Cinema readers. Whilst the Editor prays for the spiritual integrity of all content of this site, it should be noted that these represent personal opinions and carry no official endorsement. If you consider any content to be a misrepresentation of Catholic teaching, please contact SFC. May God bless you and enlighten you in your reading.
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Readers' Comments and Opinions
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Excellent!
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
My parents had been talking about Roots for ages, saying how they watched it back in the seventies and had finally managed to buy it on DVD. So, not enthralled with the prospect of sitting down to watch nine hours of a production I hadn't previously heard anything about, I finally gave in and starting watching Roots every Monday evening (one episode is 1.5 hours) for the past six weeks. And as you will see from the short summary title to this post I'm glad I did because the production was in a word - excellent! Weaving together this inter-generational story of American slaves cannot have been easy but the producers and directors pulled it off with commendable ease. There was one episode, I think 3 or 4, when things seemed to slow down a little, but beyond that the story kept a good pace and kept the audience hooked through the continuity of Kunta Kinte's descendants, the new additions to the family and their constant struggles against the forces of evil that kept them bound up. I also found it interesting to see how the slaves finally won their freedom. Despite the energy, rightful anger, resentment and enthusiasm of the young Kunta Kinte, his descendants were kept waiting for some time until their freedom finally came around. For most of them they realised the plan to escape really wasn't a viable option, and had little they could do but sit patiently and wait on God. Also interesting, though not surprising, was the reaction of the white land owners when the slaves were finally granted their freedom - the devil was not happy with that decision! Overall a fine production that has well stood the channel of time; recommended watching for all.
