Adapted from author, Alex Haley’s best-selling, Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Roots: The Complete Original Series chronicles the expansion of Haley’s own family across many generations. The eight-part series follows the legacy of Kunta Kinte, (portrayed by Burton, who earned a Primetime Emmy® Award nomination for his role), a young, 18th century African warrior who is brought to the United States and sold into slavery. The saga follows the generations of his descendants in the United States through the Civil War and beyond, and shows the heartbreaking struggles they face trying to survive slavery and attain their freedom.
Roots: The Complete Original Series features an all-star cast that includes John Amos, Maya Angelou, Edward Asner, Lloyd Bridges, Georg Stanford Brown, LeVar Burton, Macdonald Carey, Olivia Cole, Gary Collins, Chuck Connors, Scatman Crothers, Ji-Tu Cumbuka, Brad Davis, Sandy Duncan, Lynda Day George, Louis Gossett Jr., Lorne Greene, Moses Gunn, George Hamilton, Hilly Hicks, Burl Ives, Lawrence Hilton Jacobs, Carolyn Jones, Doug McClure, Ian McShane, Lynne Moody, Vic Morrow, Thalmus Rasulala, Robert Reed, Harry Rhodes, Richard Roundtree, Raymond St. Jacques, John Schuck, Paul Shenar, O.J. Simpson, Madge Sinclair, Beverly Todd, Cicely Tyson, Leslie Uggams, Ben Vereen, Ralph Waite, William Watson and Ren Woods.
Originally premiering in 1977, Roots earned an impressive 37 Emmy® Award nominations, which resulted in nine Emmy® wins. The series also won a Golden Globe® Award for Best Television Series – Drama. Roots was additionally honored with a prestigious George Foster Peabody Award in 1978.
When Roots debuted 39 years ago it became an instant classic that is still among the greatest miniseries in television history. I remember the first time i saw the series when it was rebroadcast in the mid 80's. I was emotionally involved with Kunta Kinte's story and stayed up past my bed time to see the ending. I haven't seen more than a passin glimpse of this masterpiece since then and it was a true pleasure watching it all over again in this beautifully appointed set that Warner Bros. has released. Four decades later Roots importance and relevance is just as strong. Every Blu-ray owner should have Roots: The Original Series in their collection. 9.5/10
Roots: The Complete Original Series arrives on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer in the aspect ratio of 1.33:1 - Warner has done an fine job in remastering Roots. Colors look just right with warm and rich hues being the dominating tone. Black levels were deep and contrast was balanced well. There is a fine layer of film grain but overall clarity and detail is striking compared to previous home video releases on lesser formats. 8.5/10
Audio is provided by a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track. - Dialogue reproduction was perfect, crisp and clear. The score has good fidelity. No problems with hissing or popping. 8/10
* Roots: The American Story Continues New Bonus Material – Whoopi Goldberg, James Earl Jones, Blair Underwood, Debbie Allen, Tavis Smiley, Shonda Rhimes and Reverend Al Sharpton reveal how Roots impacted their lives and the thinking of the world. Dr. Rex Ellis of the Smithsonian Institution shares with us how the story chronicled by Alex Haley in Roots lives on in Washington’s new Museum of African American History and Culture; and Christopher Haley recalls his uncle Alex, whose legacy he continues as a slavery historian.
* The Cast Looks Back New Bonus Material – Original cast members LeVar Burton, John Amos, Louis Gossett Jr., Ben Vereen, Cicely Tyson, Ed Asner, Sandy Duncan, Georg Stanford Brown and Lynne Moody share emotional stories about the 1976 filming of Roots. They also discuss how making the miniseries changed their lives, why it endures, and why for some it remains their greatest artistic experience.
* Crossing Over: How Roots Captivated an Entire Nation
* Connecting With the Past
* The Struggle to Make Roots
* LeVar Burton: Original Screen Test
* Alex Haley Interview by David Frost
* Roots: One Year Later
