Roots

Roots

The Saga of an American Family.

Ended First aired 23/Jan/1977 United States English 2 season(s) 16 episode(s)
Drama
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.
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TimeScore 33% Skip It
Binge Meter 48% Slow Burn
Episode Pulse Quiet 40% activity score
Drop Rate 0% Very Low

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Seasons & Episodes

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Season 1 · Miniseries
8 episode(s) · Air date: 23/Jan/1977
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Season Overview

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S1E8
Part VIII
Air date: 30/Jan/1977 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 96 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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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S1E7
Part VII
Air date: 29/Jan/1977 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 51 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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S1E4
Part IV
Air date: 26/Jan/1977 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 51 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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S1E3
Part III
Air date: 25/Jan/1977 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 91 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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S1E2
Part II
Air date: 24/Jan/1977 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 97 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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S1E1
Part I
Air date: 23/Jan/1977 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 97 min
Summary

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.

Summary

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.

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Season 0 · Specials
8 episode(s)
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Season Overview

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S0E8
The Gift
Air date: 11/Dec/1988 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 89 min
Summary

The characters of Kunta Kinte and Fiddler from Roots are back in this movie. In this movie the two of them accompany their owner to another plantation at Christmas time and they learn that the son of the owner helps slaves escape. And the two of them try to help him and also see this as an opportunity to escape themselves.

Summary

The characters of Kunta Kinte and Fiddler from Roots are back in this movie. In this movie the two of them accompany their owner to another plantation at Christmas time and they learn that the son of the owner helps slaves escape. And the two of them try to help him and also see this as an opportunity to escape themselves.

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S0E7
Cast Interviews
Air date: — · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 28 min
Summary

'The Cast Looks Back' is a new bonus video that features interviews with most of the cast of the original miniseries. They talk about making the series and how it has transformed their lives.

Summary

'The Cast Looks Back' is a new bonus video that features interviews with most of the cast of the original miniseries. They talk about making the series and how it has transformed their lives.

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S0E6
30th anniversary
Air date: 22/May/2007 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 27 min
Summary

'The American Story Continues' is a new interview series with celebrities discussing how important the original series 'ROOTS' was and continues to be in this day and age. Whoopi Goldberg, James Earl Jones, Blair Underwood, and more make an appearance

Summary

'The American Story Continues' is a new interview series with celebrities discussing how important the original series 'ROOTS' was and continues to be in this day and age. Whoopi Goldberg, James Earl Jones, Blair Underwood, and more make an appearance

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S0E1
The Phenomenon of Roots
Air date: — · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 47 min
Summary

Author of "Roots" Alex Haley goes on a voyage to his ancestral home village in Africa and to the grave site of his relative Kunta Kinte in Virginia with LeVar Burton who portrayed Kinte in "Roots". Narrated by Louis Gossett, Jr.

Summary

Author of "Roots" Alex Haley goes on a voyage to his ancestral home village in Africa and to the grave site of his relative Kunta Kinte in Virginia with LeVar Burton who portrayed Kinte in "Roots". Narrated by Louis Gossett, Jr.

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Cast

Main cast members.

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LeVar Burton
LeVar Burton
Kunta Kinte
Olivia Cole
Olivia Cole
Mathilda
Ben Vereen
Ben Vereen
Chicken George Moore
Cicely Tyson
Cicely Tyson
Binta
Louis Gossett Jr.
Louis Gossett Jr.
Fiddler
Ji-Tu Cumbuka
Ji-Tu Cumbuka
Wrestler
Chuck Connors
Chuck Connors
Tom Moore
Carolyn Jones
Carolyn Jones
Mrs. Moore
Leslie Uggams
Leslie Uggams
Kizzy Reynolds
O. J. Simpson
O. J. Simpson
Kadi Touray
Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou
Nyo Boto
Moses Gunn
Moses Gunn
Kintango
Thalmus Rasulala
Thalmus Rasulala
Omoro
Hari Rhodes
Hari Rhodes
Brima Cesay
William Watson
William Watson
Gardner
Ernest Lee Thomas
Ernest Lee Thomas
Kailuba
Lorne Greene
Lorne Greene
John Reynolds
Ralph Waite
Ralph Waite
Slater

Crew

Creators, directors, writers, and production crew.

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Stevan Larner
Stevan Larner
Camera Supervisor
No Photo
Joseph M. Wilcots
Camera Technician
David Greene
David Greene
Director
Gilbert Moses
Gilbert Moses
Director
John Erman
John Erman
Director
No Photo
Marvin J. Chomsky
Director
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James T. Heckert
Editor
No Photo
Neil Travis
Editor
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Peter Kirby
Editor
Quincy Jones
Quincy Jones
Music
Gerald Fried
Gerald Fried
Original Music Composer
No Photo
Ernest Kinoy
Screenplay

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