Join Amazon Prime and get unlimited Free First Class Delivery. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
More Buying Choices
13 used & new from £8.39
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Roots : The Original Series 1 - 30th Anniversary 4-Disc Box Set [DVD]
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images

Roots : The Original Series 1 - 30th Anniversary 4-Disc Box Set [DVD]

DVD ~ LeVar Burton
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
RRP: £30.99
Price: £9.98 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £21.01 (68%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In stock.
Items for dispatch to UK will be sold by Amazon's Preferred Merchant. (Why?) Gift-wrap available.

11 new from £8.39 2 used from £8.60
Learn about Lovefilm
Amazon's choice for DVD rental.
With a 14 day FREE trial. Learn more

Frequently Bought Together

Roots : The Original Series 1 - 30th Anniversary 4-Disc Box Set [DVD] + Roots - Series 2 : The Next Generation [DVD] + The Thorn Birds: Series 1 [DVD]
Total RRP: £81.97
Price For All Three: £27.94

Some of these items ship sooner than the others. Show details

Product details

  • Actors: LeVar Burton, O.J. Simpson, Maya Angelou, Ji-Tu Cumbuka, Moses Gunn
  • Format: Box set, PAL
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 4
  • Classification: PG
  • Studio: Warner Home Video
  • DVD Release Date: 29 Oct 2007
  • Run Time: 547 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000V4IO5S
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 3,320 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    Popular in this category:

    #75 in  DVD > DVD Bargains > The Warner List

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Reviews

DVD Description
Based on Alex Haley's best-selling novel about his African ancestors, Roots follows several generations in the lives of a slave family. The saga begins with Kunta Kinte (played by LeVar Burton), a West African youth captured by slave traders and shipped to America in the 1700s. This young man is torn from his homeland and in torment and anguish brought to the slave markets of the new world. The film traces his life and those of his family, depicted up until the Civil War where Kunte Kinte's grandson gains emancipation. It captures generations of love, tears, pain, strife, sacrifice and happiness, reminding us of the resilience and resource of the human spirit even under crippling injustice.
Roots garnered widespread popularity in the 1970s and made its mark in TV ratings, with on average 130 million viewers--almost half the country at the time--watching all or part of the series. This DVD collection is a celebration of 30 years since its original release.

Also available: Roots: The Complete Collection, which contains this box set of the original series, plus Roots: The Next Generation and, for the first time on DVD, Roots: The Gift, which focuses on the lives of two slaves from the original series.

Synopsis
The unedited complete mini-series based on Alex Haley's best selling novel that follows a black man's search for his heritage.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Roots - Series 2 : The Next Generation [DVD]

Roots - Series 2 : The Next Generation [DVD]

DVD ~ Roots
4.8 out of 5 stars (9)  £8.98
The Thorn Birds: Series 1 [DVD]

The Thorn Birds: Series 1 [DVD]

DVD ~ Richard Chamberlain
4.2 out of 5 stars (30)  £8.98
The Color Purple [1985] [DVD] [1986]

The Color Purple [1985] [DVD] [1986]

DVD ~ Danny Glover
4.4 out of 5 stars (24)  £3.98
Roots

Roots

by Alex Haley
4.9 out of 5 stars (25)  £6.99
Shogun [5 Disc Box Set] [DVD] [1981]

Shogun [5 Disc Box Set] [DVD] [1981]

DVD ~ Richard Chamberlain
4.5 out of 5 stars (21)  £17.07
› Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
 

Customer Reviews

13 Reviews
5 star:
 (10)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
37 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Great mini-series but still not the proper restorative attention it deserves!, 17 Oct 2007
By Jenny J.J.I. "A New Yorker" (That Lives in Northern Nevada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
The miniseries is the best program I have ever seen and now thankfully own thanks to my significant other. Even though the young Kunta Kinte is only in the first two episodes, LeVar Burton is what made the show for me. Levar Burton is a revelation and it surprises me that he isn't doing more movies. He reminded me of those silent film stars who show with their eyes. The rest of the actors performed their characters just as well, and it gave me an impression of them playing their characters with the whole of their hearts. In this story Kunta is a good, brave young man who loves his village, his family and Allah. He is only 17 and has just completed manhood training and dreams of having a family of his own; the young warrior is out gathering food for his family when he hears a twig snap and turns to see a white man rushing him. Haley gets inside Kunta's mind and you feel his horror. Kunta fights bravely, he fights like a wild animal, but is overpowered and taken captive and then brutally abducted and put on a slave ship. Haley's book was so much more graphic; it showed scenes the TV show couldn't. To really grasp Kunta's nightmare, you need to read the book. The story eventually follows 200 yrs. of the descendants of this family who's strong will and striving finally brings them to Justice and Freedom.

I think that different directors were assigned to different movies in the series... which could be the reason why movie began to grow weak after Kunta Kinte leaves the storyline. I thought the beginning was rather powerful... displaying the savagery of the white man's actions... entering the peaceful villages in Africa and pulling everybody out in shackles onto their ships' dark and musty cargo holds, and slowly, try to bring the main character into submission once he arrives in America. The rest is...Watchable... but has much less to offer than the first 2. This film is history, it has held up well over almost 30 years since it was originally televised. Racism is still rampant, and not just in the South. By being informed it helps each of us to have compassion and to inventory our beliefs and question our teachings.

This particular DVD version, however, is a little disappointing. I guess I was expecting a little more by way of restored/improved video and audio quality, but this version definitely shows its age. On the other hand, I enjoyed watching this 4 disc anniversary edition. Only 3 discs were related to story. This was not the entire series though. It seemed some scenes were cut out making this typical of an anniversary set. Apart from feeling like I am missing parts of the movie the picture and sound was good. There are one or two new extra features on this DVD that are very interesting, but I would not recommend purchasing this version if you already own the older DVD version unless your copy has been worn out.
Comment Comments (2) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking and Important Drama, 9 Mar 2008
By J. Roberts "Jinny" (Maryland) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
This 1970's Television drama was incredibly popular when it first emerged. It tells the story of an African slave, Kunta Kinte, who is kidnapped in his homeland and ferried across the Atlantic Ocean in a filthy slave ship, along with hundreds of other slaves.

Not only does it tell the story of Kunta, but it moves on from there and tells the story of Kunta's children, Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren, all of which is based on the facts in the book version of Roots, written by Alex Haley. Haley traced his family tree back and wrote his family history; a history which is steeped in great historical, social and political importance, and this DVD version also engages viewers on a personal level.

From the incredibly brave and caring Kunta, to his inspirational and strong daughter, Kizzy, to her good-natured and spirited son 'Chicken' George, all of the acting here is moving. There are many sad moments which will bring a tear to the eye, not least of all the scenes of horrific predjudice and oppression. When watching the scenes in which several characters are whipped, or families are cruelly torn apart without any thought whatsoever, or so-called 'good' white folks betray their black friends without a second thought, I couldn't help but find it remarkable that black people in the twenty-first century even manage to pass the time of day with white people. I don't think I could be so forgiving.

This is an important examination of some of the most disgraceful and unashamed human rights abuses in history. The events of 'Roots' must NEVER be forgotten.
Comment Comment (1) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
5.0 out of 5 stars roots the original series 1, 27 May 2009
I brought this DVD for my mums birthday she is 85 and I watched it with her she realy enjoyed it and said that it brought back memories of when she used to watch it on the TV all though she could not remember some parts. She has lent it to some of her freinds at the OAP club all said they enjoyed it (at last something good to watch on the TV for a change )
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Roots for the second time
I am enjoying my second visit to "Roots" as much as the first time. However, I have to mention that the Disc 2 label is incorrect in that the first side is labelled Espisode 3... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sandra Lee Cannutt

5.0 out of 5 stars gr8 viewing, a must to see
As usual only the best from amazon, good quality product in original packaging, gr8 film!!, a must for all people who care about our world and humanity as a whole!!
Published 2 months ago by S. Dawah

5.0 out of 5 stars ROOTS
I BOUGHT THIS DVD FOR A MAN AT WORK WHO SHOWED HIS SON THE TERRIBLE WAY THE BLACKS WERE TREAT IN THOSE DAYS,I REMEMBER AS A CHILD WATCHING ROOTS AND IT WAS BRILLIANT THEN AS IT IS... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Mj Ferguson

5.0 out of 5 stars Roots DVD
Relive those 1970s TV mini-saga memories with this compact DVD of the whole of Roots, Series One. The recorded sound could be a little sharper in definition, but otherwise this... Read more
Published 3 months ago by S. O'Mahony

5.0 out of 5 stars Age in movie does not matter
Sometimes an old movie is so fresh, that is a pleasure to watch it again and again. History, Life, Love is all in one.

Totally recomended
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. R. Brivent Barnes

4.0 out of 5 stars Roots
Roots : The Original Series 1 - 30th Anniversary 4-Disc Box Set [DVD] Enjoyable, although uncomfortable that people could be treated in such a way. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mrs. H. Davis

5.0 out of 5 stars dvd box set
i am very pleased with my purchase of the roots original series 1 box set
Published 4 months ago by Mr. Michael J. Bailey

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent
Excellent reminder of the TV series which I enjoyed a lot as a teenager. Still as good as it was then....
Published 5 months ago by Ikenna Okongwu

5.0 out of 5 stars Roots:The original series
This series was very well put together and the acting was surreal. Makes one put things into perspective. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Marie E. Hughes

5.0 out of 5 stars Groundbreaking Drama
I remember watching this on tv back in the seventies when I was a teenager.It was captivating then and has lost none of it`s magic since. I would recommend this to everyone.
Published 5 months ago by Steve

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

The Body Shop

The Body Shop - Vitamin C Skin Boost
Protect and boost your glow with The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Boost.

›Shop The Body Shop

  

Up to 75% off Shoes

Shoe Clearance - 75% off Shoes
Save up to 75% on shoes for the whole family.

›Shop clearance shoes

  

Up to 53% off Braun Series Shavers

Braun Series 3 390cc Clean & Renew System Rechargeable Foil Electric Shaver
Get in touch with your smooth side with Braun Series shavers, now with Gillette blade technology.

›Discover Braun Series at Amazon.co.uk

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates