Roots

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Buy This Item Roots by Warner Home Video  Available from Amazon  $59.98  on 11-26-2008     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 <I>Roots</I> 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. <I>Roots</I> still has that ability to open one's eyes, and engage an audience in a sweeping, memorable drama at the same time. <I>--Tom Keogh</I> Reader Reviews Roots acclaimed as one of the all time best miniseries boast some classic performances Ed Azner as he did in Rich Man Poor Man again terrific also Brad Davis as he did in Chiefs. The young Kunta Kinte played by Levar Burton and Kizzie by Leslie Uggams as well amongst a host of great performances. The story is well known so no need for me to repeat what other reveiws allready explain.

Roots Available from Amazon Price: $59.98 Updated on 11-26-2008.

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