Roots - 30th Anniversary Edition
Warner Bros. (1977)
Drama, History
In Collection
#11043
0*
Seen ItYes
085391144854
IMDB   8.6
9 hr 33 mins USA / English
DVD  Region 1   NR
Moses Gunn Kintango
O.J. Simpson Kadi Touray
Carolyn Jones
Beverly Todd
Leslie Uggams
Paul Shenar John Carrington
Cicely Tyson
Sandy Duncan
Maya Angelou Nyo Boto
Lynda Day George Mrs. Reynolds
Ji-Tu Cumbuka Wrestler
Thalmus Rasulala Omoro
Hari Rhodes Brima Cesay
William Watson Gardner
Ren Woods Fanta
LeVar Burton Kunta Kinte/Toby Reynolds
Edward Asner Capt. Thomas Davies
Madge Sinclair
Olivia Cole
Lynne Moody
Jr. Louis Gossett
Lloyd Bridges
Richard Roundtree
George Hamilton
Ralph Waite Slater
Louis Gossett Jr. Fiddler
Robert Reed Dr. William Reynolds
Lorne Greene John Reynolds
Vic Morrow Ames
John Amos Toby
Ben Vereen
Director
David Greene
Marvin Chomsky
Marvin J. Chomsky
John Erman
Gilbert Moses
Producer Stan Margulies
David L. Wolper
Writer James Lee
William Blinn
M. Charles Cohen
Charles Cohen
Earnest Kinoy
Alex Haley
Ernest Kinoy


His name was Kunta Kinte. Kidnapped from Africa and enslaved in America in 1767, he refused to accept his slave name of Toby. Heirs kept his heroic defiance alive, passing on his tale across generations until it reached a young boy growing up in Tennessee, His name was Alex Haley. Through the lineage of one family, Haley and his Pulitzer Prize-winning Roots told a story for all America and world. Seen by 130 million viewers during its premiere telecasts and the winner of dozens of awards, the David L. Wolper production remains an engrossing entertainment 30 years later. Embark on an unforgettable DVD journey.
Episodes
    Seen it: Yes   2 hr 0 mins    2/26/1978  1.  Part 1
In Gambia, West Africa, Kunta Kinte, son of Omoro and Binta, distinguishes himself in manhood training rituals. But he does not enjoy his new status long: slave traders sweeping the countryside seize him. Chained with other captives, Kunta begins an agonized odyssey to the New World.
Director:  David Greene  Writer:  William Blinn  / Ernest Kinoy 
Guest starring:  Cicely Tyson (Binta), Ralph Waite (Mr. Slater), O.J. Simpson (Kadi Touray), Edward Asner (Captain Thomas Davies)
    Seen it: Yes   2 hr 0 mins    2/26/1978  2.  Part 2
Despite a violent rebellion, the slave ship Lord Ligonier completes its voyage and Kunta Kinte endures the indiginity of an Annapolis slave auction. Fiddler, the slave in charge of Kunta's training, becomes his only friend, a friendship that's tested when Kunta plans his escape.
Director:  David Greene  /  John Erman  Writer:  William Blinn  / Ernest Kinoy 
Guest starring:  Ralph WaiteRobert ReedLorne GreeneLouis Gossett, Jr.,  Edward Asner
    Seen it: Yes   2 hr 0 mins    2/26/1978  3.  Part 3
In 1776, a nation fights for freedom - but not for all. Kunta Kinte escapes again and is crippled by slave catchers. He marries, gains a daughter and loses his long-time friend Fiddler. Another chance for escape arises, but Kunta sacrifices it to care for his wife and the newborn Kizzy
Director:  Marvin J. Chomsky  /  David Greene  Writer:  William Blinn  / Ernest Kinoy 
Guest starring:  Robert ReedLorne GreeneLouis Gossett, Jr.
    Seen it: Yes   2 hr 0 mins    2/26/1978  4.  Part 4
At age 16, Kizzy is sold and bears her new master's son, who grows up to become fun-loving Chicken George. Yearning to see her parents, Kizzy is comforted by Samuel Bennett, but they are ill-matched. When she returns to her birthplace, Kizzy learns of her parents' fates.
Director:  Marvin J. Chomsky  / Marvin Chomsky  Writer:  William Blinn  / James Lee 
Guest starring:  Madge SinclairLorne Greene, Linda Day George,  Vic MorrowLouis Gossett, Jr.,  John AmosRobert Reed
    Seen it: Yes   2 hr 0 mins    2/26/1978  5.  Part 5
Chicken George is sent to England as payment for his owner's gambling debt. Fourteen years later, he returns home a free man, a status that has a profound effect on the family begun by Kunta Kinte. The Civil War erupts; at last the era of slavery draws to an end.
Director:  Marvin J. Chomsky  /  Gilbert Moses  Writer:  William Blinn  / James Lee 
Guest starring:  Ben VereenRobert ReedMadge SinclairJohn SchuckChuck ConnorsJohn AmosScatman Crothers, Sandy Duncan,  George HamiltonLawrence Hilton-JacobsCarolyn JonesRichard Roundtree, Leslie Uggams
    Seen it: Yes   2 hr 0 mins    2/26/1978  6.  Part 6
The Civil War is over but night riders terrorize ex-slaves. By marking his clients' horseshoes, Tom identifies the raiders but endangers his own life. Chicken George, who fought for the Union, rejoins his family. He leads them to a new home in Tennessee.
Director:  Marvin J. Chomsky  / Marvin Chomsky  Writer:  William Blinn  / James Lee 
Guest starring:  Carolyn JonesChuck ConnorsGeorge HamiltonRichard RoundtreeBen VereenScatman Crothers, Leslie Uggams
    Seen it: Yes   2 hr 0 mins    1/28/1977  7.  Part 7
Chicken George is sent to England as payment for his owner's gambling debt. Fourteen years later, he returns home a free man, a status that has a profound effect on the family begun by Kunta Kinte. The Civil War erupts; at last the era of slavery draws to an end.
Guest starring:  Georg Stanford BrownOlivia Cole, Brad Davis, Sandy Duncan
    Seen it: Yes  8.  Part 8
Edition Details
Edition Four-Disc 30th Anniversary Edition
Series Roots
Distributor Warner Home Video
Release Date 5/22/2007
Packaging Custom Case
Screen Ratio Standard 1.33:1 Color
Subtitles English; French; Spanish
Audio Tracks ENGLISH: Dolby Digital Mono [CC]
SPANISH: Dolby Digital Mono
Layers Single Side, Dual Layer
No. of Disks/Tapes 4

Features
Disc 01 All-New 2007 Documentary
Crossing Over: How Roots Captivated An Entire Nation
2002 Documentary Remembering Roots
Roots: One Year Later Hosted by Louis Gossett Jr.
Cast/Crew Commentaries with Video Option