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Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on Alex Haley's bestseller, the 1977 TV mini-series Roots told the harrowing story of one man's ancestors, commencing with African warrior Kunta Kinte, captured, transported to America, stripped of his dignity, his rights, and even his name. He tries but fails to escape before accepting he can never return to Africa. He marries and bears a daughter, Kizzy, who is callously sold, then raped by her new "master". However, her son, Chicken George, a resourceful dab hand with gamecocks, lives long enough to see his own children attain a liberty of sorts following the Civil War.
Roots is told in the same, accessible televisual language as The Waltons or Bonanza, yet it is never bland or evasive. It leaves no doubt as to the torment and abuse suffered by blacks, and although the series' conclusion is fictionally satisfying, for many of the black characters their only hope lies in generations yet unborn.
It is sturdy enough drama but its greatest, most revolutionary effects were social. It persuaded American audiences to regard their history from a black perspective, and to see how--against odds far more desperate than those the pilgrims faced--Africans laid claim to their status as free African-Americans. Roots was massively popular, triggering a craze for genealogy and paving the way for series like 1979's Holocaust, which similarly raised the public's awareness of the slaughter of the Jews under Hitler. Most importantly, Roots changed forever the way black people were depicted on American TV.
On the DVD: Roots is presented in 1:33:1 format and is visually extremely well-preserved. Extra features include a "Roots Family Tree", a copious, informative audio commentary featuring members of cast and crew, and a documentary, "Remembering Roots". Although this consists only of interviews, these convey the extraordinary emotional grip this project had on those who took part in it.--David Stubbs
Product Description
Brand New factory sealed, 4 Great DVD's 30th Anniversary Edition, fast dispatch, UK SELLER
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
52 of 54 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
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.
29 of 30 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
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.
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.
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Roots tells the tale of slavery, the development of the New World and changes in mankinds attitudes to each other. The story was powerful enough to be one of the reasons that I studied History at University.(I watched it as a seven year old,and some of the scenes have never quite left me)When I teach my pupils about slavery and its consequences it is a way in which they can become emotionally entangled in the subject. It has its weaknesses, it can be too simplistic, but not all of the white characters are evil and it does tell the truth about how people traded (and treated) each other just because of the colour of a persons skin.I would recommend this Dvd to anyone. The story is powerful,heartfelt and emotionally challenging.There is also joy in the story as you watch the plight and development of a family generation after generation.They remain strong and proud even when their lives are difficult and cruel. An epic...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
roots dvd
this was a present for my sister. she said the quality of the new dvd was very good.the package arrived in 4 days as stated on order
Published 5 months ago by huffard
roots
I could rememnber some of the series once i started watching . I still found it very interesting viewing and once i started i watched the whole lot in a week.
Published 8 months ago by J. Carter
roots dvd
this box set was purchased as a gift recipient highly delighted with dvd as she had series on video only
Published 8 months ago by craig
Buyers "Roots" series DVD review.
From ordering item to viewing same, this transaction went very well. I was fortunate in getting the anniversary set in presentation box (something not expected ). Read more
Published 12 months ago by James Hodgson
Roots
Purchased for a Present and has been very welcome and has given hours
of good entertainment. To all account, a very good buy.
of good entertainment. To all account, a very good buy.
Published 13 months ago by Mr. ROBERT B. MCILROY
Classic TV
Even though this series was recorded 30 years ago it is timeless watching and should be viewed by old and young alike. Loved it!
Published 17 months ago by Le Tub
Hope for humanity!
I was gripped by the series when it was on televison and I am still gripped by it now. An amazing tale of how inhumane man can be to man, but full of hope, courage and... Read more
Published 19 months ago by tuppence
Curbed but effective
This TV mini-series has become a classic in some twenty or thirty years and it deserves to be, both in its first part and in its second part. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Jacques COULARDEAU
roots
This was bought as a present, but this series is legendary.
The item arrived very speedily and was excellent value.
Seller & item recommended
The item arrived very speedily and was excellent value.
Seller & item recommended
Published 20 months ago by G. Evans
roots
we watched this years ago when it first hit the screens and it was good, daughter doing this in her school work and it was great to sit and watch it again and was delivered two... Read more
Published 21 months ago by maurice
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