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Roots - Original Series - Volume 1 - Episodes 1-4 | 
 enlarge | Directors: David Greene, Gilbert Moses, John Erman, Marvin J. Chomsky
Actors: Levar Burton, Tina Andrews, Grand L. Bush, Henry Butts, Brooks Clift
Studio: Warner Home Video
Category: Video
List Price: £20.99
Buy Used: £3.93
You Save: £17.06 (81%)
New (2) Used (12) from £3.93
Rating:  26 reviews
Format: Box Set, Pal
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: Parental Guidance
Media: VHS Tape
Discs: 1
Number Of Items: 2
Running Time: 362 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 4.8 x 2.3
EAN: 5014780136731
ASIN: B00004CS2U
Theatrical Release Date: January 23, 1977
Release Date: March 3, 1997
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: SUPER FAST SHIPPING, DISPATCHED SAME DAY FROM UK WAREHOUSE. GREAT VIDEO IN GOOD OR BETTER CONDITION, VIDEO IN PAL FORMAT. MORE GREAT BARGAINS IN OUR eSHOP. amazon.co.uk/shops/awesome_books_001
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.co.uk Review
Based on Alex Haley's bestseller, the 1977 TV mini-series Roots told the harrowing story of one man's ancestors, commencing with African warrior Kunta Kinte, captured, transported to America, stripped of his dignity, his rights, and even his name. He tries but fails to escape before accepting he can never return to Africa. He marries and bears a daughter, Kizzy, who is callously sold, then raped by her new "master". However, her son, Chicken George, a resourceful dab hand with gamecocks, lives long enough to see his own children attain a liberty of sorts following the Civil War. Roots is told in the same, accessible televisual language as The Waltons or Bonanza, yet it is never bland or evasive. It leaves no doubt as to the torment and abuse suffered by blacks, and although the series' conclusion is fictionally satisfying, for many of the black characters their only hope lies in generations yet unborn. It is sturdy enough drama but its greatest, most revolutionary effects were social. It persuaded American audiences to regard their history from a black perspective, and to see how--against odds far more desperate than those the pilgrims faced--Africans laid claim to their status as free African-Americans. Roots was massively popular, triggering a craze for genealogy and paving the way for series like 1979's Holocaust, which similarly raised the public's awareness of the slaughter of the Jews under Hitler. Most importantly, Roots changed forever the way black people were depicted on American TV. On the DVD: Roots is presented in 1:33:1 format and is visually extremely well-preserved. Extra features include a "Roots Family Tree", a copious, informative audio commentary featuring members of cast and crew, and a documentary, "Remembering Roots". Although this consists only of interviews, these convey the extraordinary emotional grip this project had on those who took part in it.--David Stubbs
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| Customer Reviews:
 Educational and brings alive an incredible story October 7, 2000
44 out of 46 found this review helpful
Although some parts of this quasi-factual story have been questioned subsequently, this story remains a powerful indictment of Slavery. The initial four episodes follows a young boy from his life in Africa through his capture and enslavement, details the horrendous Middle passage, including a rebellion on the Slave ship, onto the Americas, where, after an auction, he is thrust into the Plantation system. The description of the Plantation system portrayed in the series is adequately accurate, if rather cliched. It becomes obvious that the main character will suffer all the injustices available and react to these injustices. The story as a whole tends to dip in pace at times but some extremely powerful scenes more than make up for this, the faults enable the series to be used educationally, especially if used selectively. The initial four episodes are used extensively in Secondary schools for the History "Black peoples of the Americas" topic, the powerful scenes, and articulate characters enable students to address key parts of this History topic, and with the introduction of Citizenship into the Curriculum, it is possible that this topic will see more interest. Dated as it is, the Roots series still remains a landmark educational tool. This video can be viewed by all with an interest in the topic, as well as those attracted by a good drama.
A Classic Which Not Only Entertains But Educates. October 6, 2002
Ian (Manchester, Cheshire United Kingdom)
43 out of 48 found this review helpful
I first saw Roots in 1976 when it was first shown on BBC, I was six years old and lived in a predominantly white naighberhood. In spite of this I was in awe of the human cruilty inflicted by white people onto blacks. Roots to me is a classic which not only entertains with it's colourful characters such as Chicken George, but also educates.I seen the series repeated once 10 years ago, and as soon as I saw it was out on DVD I snapped it up. I only hope that Roots the next generation is released onto DVD as well so I can have the complete story of Alex Haleys heritage. Roots also inspired me to look into my own heratage also. This mini series should be used in schools to educate children on the evils of racism and the damaging effects in can have not only on the individual but on a whole society.
A dvd everybody must have!! July 30, 2002
Cathy Scholman (Nieuwegein, Holland)
35 out of 42 found this review helpful
Kunta Kinte was a boy who lived in Africa. One day he was captured and taken to the white world, to live as a slave. We can follow his life and later his daughter's life, Kizzy and her son, Chicken George. This movie gives a very good impression of what slavery really was. It's such a realistic movie and also good to know what happened many years ago. When my children are older, I will show them this dvd so they will know what slavery was and that this must never happen again. I've been waiting for years for this dvd-version and finally everyone can buy it.
An amazing story of hope and courage August 31, 2003
mandynolan
31 out of 32 found this review helpful
Roots tells the tale of slavery, the development of the New World and changes in mankinds attitudes to each other. The story was powerful enough to be one of the reasons that I studied History at University.(I watched it as a seven year old,and some of the scenes have never quite left me)When I teach my pupils about slavery and its consequences it is a way in which they can become emotionally entangled in the subject. It has its weaknesses, it can be too simplistic, but not all of the white characters are evil and it does tell the truth about how people traded (and treated) each other just because of the colour of a persons skin.I would recommend this Dvd to anyone. The story is powerful,heartfelt and emotionally challenging.There is also joy in the story as you watch the plight and development of a family generation after generation.They remain strong and proud even when their lives are difficult and cruel. An epic...
Just as I remembered it but where is the rest of the story? April 12, 2005
storedia (London)
28 out of 30 found this review helpful
I, like previous reviewers, watched this with much anticipation with my boyfriend who had not seen it before. I remember watching it when I was very young but still remember it vividly and was very disappointed when it ended (abruptly in my opinion) as that is not how I had remembered it. It appears the next generations is only available on VHS video but if anyone has found out if or when the next generations will be available I would really like to know. I was also pleased that despite being nearly 30 years old it is still as effective now as it was then.
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