Search - Roots: The Next Generations on DVD

William E. from ATKINSON, IL
Reviewed on 10/22/2011...

I, too, thought this was a great story, but that's all it is.

Alex Haley's genealogy projected in the film was proved false.

In 2004, Oprah Winfrey informed her audience that the story "Roots" was a real life story but it wasn't Alex Haley's. Some of it was true, but he basically plagerised the rest of the story Harold Courlander's book "The African".

I remember reading that Chicken George's daughter, Kizzy, was born eight years after George died. If everything Alex had written to that point had been the truth then everything after that, based upon Kizzy's children, is wrong.

The only real problem with the miniseries is that "Roots" is still being presented as a factual (historical) story. This is really an injustice to the new (and uninformed) viewers who may believe that it is all true.

Unfortunately, the real culprit is Hollywood. They have a real problem with presenting "history" in a 100% factual manner.

It is still worth viewing...enjoy.

0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Marla W. (disneyprincess) from MARSHFIELD, MA
Reviewed on 1/21/2010...

Great series with an amazing cast! From 1978, a mini-series that really stands the test of time!

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

ROOTS...An Exciting Birth of Emotions

Don Murillo | Alabama | 09/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I believe a review worth reading should include a brief description of the person giving their thoughts.To me,this helps a great deal in deciding how much credibility I will give a person's thinking.
I am a white male,48 years old,happily married going on nineteen years with five children and six grandchildren.I was born in the state of Texas,and raised to befriend people based on their actions-not the color of their skin.I,like most people,have been influenced often times by what has been taught through traditions or hearsay instead of facts,because facts often times takes some effort to discover.
I have just recently read the book Roots,and was so overcome by a multitude of aroused emotions I purchased the mini-series on DVD.My wife,children and I viewed the movies together,and have had many wonderful discussions since.It has been my experience to find movies made from books usually deficient,and so altered to make for 'better viewing' I often have some trepidation of giving my time to them.Roots was/is such a refreshing surprise in that both the movie(s) and the book are so very close in keeping with the original materials.
Mr. Alex Haley was truely a gifted person in his ability to share a story.I only wish he were yet still alive,so I could personally write him a note expressing my profound graditude in his taking the time to educate,entertain and awaken in me a compassion for a people I only thought I knew.
There is brief frontal nudity which may offend some,but in keeping with cultural historical accuracy is but a small negative in a wealth of positives.The casting and acting is above excellence.I could go on with much more accolades,but then I would be writing a novel and not a review.
I highly recommend everyone of all ages to read and or watch what I feel is one of the greatest story of a family history ever told.
I would truely like to see Roots become required reading in all schools throughout our great country.Then I believe,a "dream" would surely come true."

Roots - the next Generation

Marilyn B. Glabicki | San Jose, CA USA | 01/10/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My mother (she turned 90 on 1/4/02) and I recently re-watched this series, after we re-watched ROOTS. It/they meant much more to us now, looking back through 20+ years of our own experiences along with recent history. The casting was superb, as is the story, even though a lot of it was ugly. It evoked very strong emotions. The different time periods were recreated realistically. I was sorry that Alex Haley is no longer alive. I would have wanted to contact him. I can only hope that he was aware of the power and depth of the legacy he left. Such important works. Mama and I vowed anew to remove hate (ignorance) from our own lives and in our circles."

Roots The Next Generations

Vince | San Antonio, TX United States | 06/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This series impacted my life in a inspiring way. I learned alot about American history and the perseverance of African-Americans. It is a must-see for every human being regardless of race, culture, or nationality."