TV series
Roots
Overview
The epic tale of celebrated Pulitzer-prize winning author Alex Haley's ancestors as portrayed in the acclaimed twelve hour mini-series Roots, was first told in his 1976 bestseller Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The docu-drama covers a period of history that begins in mid-1700s Gambia, West Africa and concludes during post-Civil War United States, over 100 years later. This 1977 miniseries eventually won 9 Emmy awards, a Golden Globe award, and a Peabody award, and still stands as the most watched miniseries in U.S. history.
Details
- First air date
- 1977-01-23
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 8 episodes
- Genres
- Drama
- Network
- ABC
- Production
- David L. Wolper Productions, Warner Bros. Television
- Country
- US
- Original language
- EN
Cast
- Robert Reed as Dr. William Reynolds
- Olivia Cole as Mathilda
- Ben Vereen as Chicken George Moore
- Louis Gossett Jr. as Fiddler
- Leslie Uggams as Kizzy Reynolds
- Lynda Day George as Mrs. Reynolds
- John Amos as Kunta Kinte
- Madge Sinclair as Bell Reynolds
- LeVar Burton as Kunta Kinte
- Ji-Tu Cumbuka as Wrestler
- Chuck Connors as Tom Moore
- Lorne Greene as John Reynolds
Creators and crew
- Alex Haley - Creator
- Marvin J. Chomsky - Director
- David Greene - Director
- Gilbert Moses - Director
- John Erman - Director
- Alex Haley - Writer
Episodes
Episode 1: Part I
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.
Episode 2: Part II
Despite a violent rebellion, the slave ship Lord Ligonier completes its voyage and Kunta Kinte endures the indignity 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.
Episode 3: Part III
In 1776, a nation fights for freedom - but not for all. Still driven by his memories as a Mandinka "fighting man," Kunta (now renamed Toby) escapes once more.
Episode 4: Part IV
After Genelva's nighttime dalliance with Junta deflects suspicion so she can flee with her lover, Kunta forms a romantic attachment to the worldly-wise Bell, whom he marries.
Episode 5: Part V
The teenage Kizzy, well-versed in Mandinka history, falls in love with young Noah, who's determined to escape.
Episode 6: Part VI
Chicken George is sent to England as payment for his owner's gambling debt.
Episode 7: Part VII
Chicken George returns to North Carolina to find his sons have married and started families - and to learn about a state law that says his status as a free man is forfeited if he stays more than 60 days. Meanwhile, the nation erupts in Civil War.
Episode 8: Part VIII
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.
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Roots: The Next Generations
Roots: The Next Generations is a television miniseries, introduced in 1979, continuing, from 1882 to the 1960s, the fictionalized story of the family of Alex Haley and their life in Henning, Lauderdale County, Tennessee, USA. This sequel to the 1977 miniseries is based on the last seven chapters of Haley's novel entitled Roots: The Saga of an American Family plus additional material by Haley.
Roots: The Next Generations was produced with a budget of $16.6 million, nearly three times as large as that of the original.
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