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"Roots"
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"Roots" (1977) More at IMDbPro »TV mini-series

Videos (see all 8 NEW)
"Roots" (1977): :  -- Clip: Season 1 - Episode 6 - Episode 6
"Roots" (1977): :  -- Clip: Season 1 - Episode 5 - Episode 5
"Roots" (1977): :  -- Clip: Season 1 - Episode 4 - Episode 4
"Roots" (1977): :  -- Clip: Season 1 - Episode 3 - Episode 3
"Roots" (1977): :  -- Clip: Season 1 - Episode 2 - Episode 2

Overview

User Rating:
8.7/10   3,618 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Writers:
William Blinn (adaptation)
William Blinn (screenplay)
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Contact:
View company contact information for Roots on IMDbPro.
Seasons:
1 full episode list
Release Date:
23 tammikuu 1977 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | History | War more
Plot:
A dramatization of author Alex Haley's family line from ancestor Kunta Kinte's enslavement to his descendents' liberation. full summary
Awards:
Won Golden Globe. Another 14 wins & 35 nominations more
User Comments:
I understand it now that I'm older more (53 total)

Cast

 (Series Cast Summary - 47 of 58)
Olivia Cole ... Mathilda (5 episodes, 1977)

LeVar Burton ... Kunta Kinte / ... (4 episodes, 1977)
Ben Vereen ... 'Chicken' George Moore (4 episodes, 1977)

Louis Gossett Jr. ... Fiddler (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 ... Tom Harvey (3 episodes, 1977)
Brad Davis ... Ol' George Johnson (3 episodes, 1977)
Hilly Hicks ... Lewis (3 episodes, 1977)
Lynne Moody ... Irene Harvey (3 episodes, 1977)
Lane Binkley ... Martha Johnson (3 episodes, 1977)

Austin Stoker ... Virgil (3 episodes, 1977)
Sandy Duncan ... Missy Anne Reynolds (3 episodes, 1977)
Chuck Connors ... Tom Moore (3 episodes, 1977)

Tracey Gold ... Young missy reynolds (3 episodes, 1977)
Moses Gunn ... Kintango (2 episodes, 1977)
Thalmus Rasulala ... Omoro (2 episodes, 1977)
Hari Rhodes ... Brima Cesay (2 episodes, 1977)
William Watson ... Gardner (2 episodes, 1977)

Ren Woods ... Fanta (2 episodes, 1977)
Lorne Greene ... John Reynolds (2 episodes, 1977)
Thayer David ... Harlan (2 episodes, 1977)
Scatman Crothers ... Mingo (2 episodes, 1977)

George Hamilton ... Stephen Bennett (2 episodes, 1977)
Lillian Randolph ... Sister Sara (2 episodes, 1977)

Richard Roundtree ... Sam Bennett (2 episodes, 1977)
Davis Roberts ... Leonard (2 episodes, 1977)
Richard McKenzie ... Sam Harvey (2 episodes, 1977)
John Quade ... Sheriff Biggs (2 episodes, 1977)

Cicely Tyson ... Binta (2 episodes, 1977)

Tina Andrews ... Aurelia (2 episodes, 1977)
Henry Butts ... Sitafa (2 episodes, 1977)
Joe Dorsey ... Calvert (2 episodes, 1977)
Kermit Echols ... Vilars (2 episodes, 1977)

Richard Farnsworth ... Slave catcher (2 episodes, 1977)
Ronnie Leggett ... Kalila (2 episodes, 1977)
Rachel Longaker ... Caroline (2 episodes, 1977)
Ernest Thomas ... Kailuba (2 episodes, 1977)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
Alex Haley's Roots (Australia)
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Runtime:
573 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Color:
Color
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Originally broadcast on ABC as eight one-hour and two-hour episodes as follows: Episodes 1,2,6, and 8 were two hours; Episodes 3,4,5, and 7 were one hour. Presented on VHS, DVD, and rebroadcast as six two-hour episodes. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: At the beginning of the capture scene in Episode 1 of Roots, Kunta Kinte can be briefly seen wearing shoes or sandals. more
Quotes:
Tom Harvey: Listen to me, Jimmy Brent! Listen to me! And take this message with you to Hell! The last hands to touch you in this Earth... was my BLACK hands! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Mr. Hell (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Oluwa more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
17 out of 26 people found the following comment useful.
I understand it now that I'm older, 5 syyskuu 2003
Author: sbrnnxn from usa

In 1977 I was 10 years old, and all I remember is the majority of the city where I live was watching Roots each day for a week. I recently bought the video and watched it with my now 10 year old son, who is Black and I show him the importance of getting an education because our ancestors weren't allowed such luxuries. At his age everything is rosy just like it was when I was 10, but hopefully he can reflect back on this movie to motivate him in the future.

Great cast of characters-even though I didn't realize that O.J. Simpson was in it! John Amos was the best and the funniest especially when he kept losing his character's African accent and sounding more like "James" on Good Times! Overall the movie is very touching and will have you experiencing mixed emotions if you're of the Black race, and have compassion if you're of other races that haven't experienced such things. I highly recommend this film and a book called the Miseducation of the Negro as Black family heirlooms-or for anyone who wants to be enlightened concerning a portion of Black history.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for "Roots" (1977)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Why were they two actors to play Kunta Kinte syelton
Animosity toward Actors?? rickdvd-1
Favorite Family Members syelton
Naked Breasts? stuthehistoryguy
They should re-make this jimgerran-1
Evan Brent's brother Boiler-2
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