Roots 6 Video Box Set [VHS]
starring: LeVar Burton, Olivia Cole, Ben Vereen, Louis Gossett Jr., Vic Morrow
directed by: David Greene, Gilbert Moses, John Erman, Marvin J. Chomsky
directed by: David Greene, Gilbert Moses, John Erman, Marvin J. Chomsky
![Roots 6 Video Box Set [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61HJFSV6Y7L._SL160_.jpg)
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Amazon.com essential video:
From the moment the young Kunta Kinte (LeVar Burton) is stolen from his life and ancestral home in 18th-century Africa and brought under inhumane conditions to be auctioned as a slave in America, a line is begun that leads from this most shameful chapter in U.S. history to the 20th-century author Alex Haley, a Kinte descendant. The late Haley's acclaimed book Roots was adapted into this six-volume television miniseries, which was a widely watched phenomenon in 1977. The programs cover several generations in the antebellum South and end with the story of "Chicken" George, a freed slave played by Ben Vereen whose family feels the agony of entrenched racism and learns to fight it. Between the lives of Kunta and George, we meet a number of memorable characters, black and white, and learn much about the emotional and physical torments of slavery, from beatings and rapes to the forced separation of spouses and families. Nothing like this had ever confronted so many mainstream Americans when the series was originally broadcast, and the extent to which the country was nudged a degree or two toward enlightenment was instantly obvious. Roots still has that ability to open one's eyes, and engage an audience in a sweeping, memorable drama at the same time. --Tom Keogh
From the moment the young Kunta Kinte (LeVar Burton) is stolen from his life and ancestral home in 18th-century Africa and brought under inhumane conditions to be auctioned as a slave in America, a line is begun that leads from this most shameful chapter in U.S. history to the 20th-century author Alex Haley, a Kinte descendant. The late Haley's acclaimed book Roots was adapted into this six-volume television miniseries, which was a widely watched phenomenon in 1977. The programs cover several generations in the antebellum South and end with the story of "Chicken" George, a freed slave played by Ben Vereen whose family feels the agony of entrenched racism and learns to fight it. Between the lives of Kunta and George, we meet a number of memorable characters, black and white, and learn much about the emotional and physical torments of slavery, from beatings and rapes to the forced separation of spouses and families. Nothing like this had ever confronted so many mainstream Americans when the series was originally broadcast, and the extent to which the country was nudged a degree or two toward enlightenment was instantly obvious. Roots still has that ability to open one's eyes, and engage an audience in a sweeping, memorable drama at the same time. --Tom Keogh
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: 
- Back to ROOTs
I really enjoyed this movie. My husband and I had both watched it years ago on TV however I have never seen it offered again and I really wanted my children to see it. It is a very powerful movie that really shows the horror of slavery and the effects of all the people involved. I think everyone should take the time to watch this.
Rating: - Roots Review - Students relate emotionaly
I'm a history teacher in a 100% minority high school. I thought the production of Roots would be too dated for my students, but I was wrong.They became emotionally attached to the characters and I believe they came away from Roots with a better understanding of the African slave trade, the Middle Passage, and the fears that enslaved families had to endure.Give your students a chance to see it with guided questions. I highly recommend Roots for an African American History or American History class. ... Read More
Rating: - Roots
We are so happy we bought the series "Roots"! Our family has enjoyed watching it together. Schools should require watching it or at least reading the book. It's a huge part of history, that everyone should remember how far we've all come!
Rating: - Great Classroom Tool
I am a Social Studies teacher of African-American Studies and I purchased this film to show to my classes. I rfemember watching this mini-series as a teenager and being absolutely amazed by the way things were for African-Americans in the past. Today, teenagers seem to know less and less about History, especially African-American history and this serves as a great tool to teach them while also entertaining them. I highly recommend this product for teachers, parents, and all people in general to who wish ... Read More
Rating: - dvd
One of the greatest historical movie of all time. Watch with an open heart and mind to be able to really get a feeling of the times Roots was written. Great sale and quick delivery AAA++++++++++++++++
- Back to ROOTsI really enjoyed this movie. My husband and I had both watched it years ago on TV however I have never seen it offered again and I really wanted my children to see it. It is a very powerful movie that really shows the horror of slavery and the effects of all the people involved. I think everyone should take the time to watch this.
- Roots Review - Students relate emotionalyI'm a history teacher in a 100% minority high school. I thought the production of Roots would be too dated for my students, but I was wrong.They became emotionally attached to the characters and I believe they came away from Roots with a better understanding of the African slave trade, the Middle Passage, and the fears that enslaved families had to endure.Give your students a chance to see it with guided questions. I highly recommend Roots for an African American History or American History class. ... Read More
- RootsWe are so happy we bought the series "Roots"! Our family has enjoyed watching it together. Schools should require watching it or at least reading the book. It's a huge part of history, that everyone should remember how far we've all come!
- Great Classroom ToolI am a Social Studies teacher of African-American Studies and I purchased this film to show to my classes. I rfemember watching this mini-series as a teenager and being absolutely amazed by the way things were for African-Americans in the past. Today, teenagers seem to know less and less about History, especially African-American history and this serves as a great tool to teach them while also entertaining them. I highly recommend this product for teachers, parents, and all people in general to who wish ... Read More
- dvdOne of the greatest historical movie of all time. Watch with an open heart and mind to be able to really get a feeling of the times Roots was written. Great sale and quick delivery AAA++++++++++++++++
