Roots - Original Series - 25th Anniversary Edition (DVD)

...faithfully watching every episode of Roots when it was first broadcast on television back in the 1970‘s . At that time we did not have the luxury of a video , come to think of it I am sure we still had a black and white only television . Both my Hubby and myself got so caught up in the tale we never missed an episode . We eagerly sat down to watch the final episode and disaster . Relatives decided to visit for the evening . Unusually for us we tried ...
...TO ROOTS
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Roots was the result of author Alex Haley’s attempts to trace his family history . As a black African he knew that one of his ancestors had been snatched from Africa as a young man and transported to America as ... more

MY BACKGROUND TO ROOTS
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I remember faithfully watching every episode of Roots when it was first broadcast on television back in the 1970‘s . At that time we did not have the luxury of a video , come to think of it I am sure we still had a black and white only television . Both my Hubby and myself got so caught up in the tale we never missed an episode . We eagerly sat down to watch the final episode and disaster . Relatives decided to visit for the evening . Unusually for us we tried to leave the TV on and watch the final episode . However one person ,who did not personally like the series did her damnedest to spoil our viewing , and succeeded .

Consequently until a couple of weeks ago I had never actually seen the whole series . The odd times since our original viewing , when it has been repeated ,we just never seemed able to watch it .So when a work colleague offered Hubby a loan of the ‘Roots, 25th Anniversary Edition DVD’ he jumped at the chance .Having said that he has still not watched it ,but I can now say I have finally watched the whole series . What did I think after all these years ? Here’s my opinion .

THE BACKGROUND TO ROOTS
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Roots was the result of author Alex Haley’s attempts to trace his family history . As a black African he knew that one of his ancestors had been snatched from Africa as a young man and transported to America as part of the slave trade .This African slave had tried in vain to hang to part of his identity . In doing so he had constantly fought a battle to gain his freedom , and lost . This culminated in him having part of his foot chopped of with an axe by slave catchers when he had escaped from his owner . Unable to escape again he had clung to what little of his identity he could , remembering the odd African phrase and his family names . He instilled this into his daughter Kizzy from a young age and so it went on . So much so that Alex as a young boy also learnt about his African ancestor called Kunta Kinte .

Alexander Murray Palmer Haley was born on August the 11th 1921 and died on February 10th 1992.He grew up at a time when racism was still rife in parts of America . As a man he served 20 years in the American Coast Guard before retiring from this profession in 1959 .He went on to various projects and after much research published Roots ,The Saga of an American Family in 1976 . By 1977 it was serialised and on our television screens . Ultimately it was read and watched in many countries around the world and became a bestseller on all counts .

As part of his research Alex visited the Gambia to retrace Kunta Kinte’s steps . This ended with him arriving at the site in Annapolis Maryland , where his ancestor had arrived 200 years earlier, in very different circumstances .Although Roots is only claimed to be loosely based on Alex’s family history it is claimed that Alex is a seventh generation descendant of Kunta Kinte .Put in those terms it does not seem a long time from 1767 when young Kunta Kinte was kidnapped in Africa to when this book was written . Although racism still exists people have come a long way .

ROOTS THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY 3 DISC EDITION
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Until I borrowed these DVD’s I did not realise that apart from them there is a 30th Anniversary edition also .The story starts with Kunta Kinte’s parents and his birth and young tribal years in the Gambia . Pure chance results in him being captured by slave traders and brutally transported to America .Roots attempts to show each successive generation until they gain some freedom and independence after the American civil war . Their epic journey is fraught with violence , hardship , poverty , cruelty and lack of any basic rights at all .

I will not spoil the various plots for anyone who has not yet viewed this moving family saga . For me I found Roots seemed to have dated somewhat . I think this is partially as being older I have watched many more of these type of offerings than back then . Also the series was shown at prime time viewing and as such hinted at some of the atrocities rather than showing such scenes in all their terrible glory . However I think that is part of it’s appeal . It is suitable viewing for many ages and despite the lack of sensationalism still puts it’s message across .

At the start it shows a time when blacks were held in less regard than many animals .They were deprived of any status , education or normal family life . If a couple was married but there wife or daughter upset the master she could be sold and a family split forever . For many once they were taken from their homes they never saw anyone again .

This edition of Roots has three DVD’s packed into a box . Each disc has viewing on both sides .Disc three contains special features . I am never one for watching these but I gave them a look .They are Roots Family Tree and Remembering Roots .The family tree is well done . It shows the history through all the families since Kunta Kinte .By selecting a particular person or time you can see and hear much more information .From these special features you can visit the website and check out latest DVD releases .Remembering Roots has interviews with the actors and various other personalities .

MY FEELINGS.
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Although Roots may seem a little dated these days I still enjoyed viewing it . Enjoyed is a funny word as I still found some parts upsetting and very moving , even without any of the blood and guts which would be part of a production today . The actors all played their roles well . The characters become familiar in no time at all . You want to see what happens to them and you ending up rooting for them all the way . (No pun intended)

There are some happy and amusing moments but on the whole it is a sad tale with at least some triumph at the end . With a viewing time of 188 minutes a disc I watched it over three nights . I think when it was first shown on TV it ran over 8 episodes . You can almost feel where there would have been a commercial break back then .

It is rated as a PG and does say that some scenes may not be suitable for young viewers .Sex ,Nudity and violence are classed as infrequent and moderate .There is a moderate amount of bad language . Compared to today’s viewing I would say there is very little of this which is explicit .
There are many famous names among the cast such as;
Ed Asner
Lloyd Bridges
George Hamilton
Burl Ives
Ben Vereen
Ian Mcshane
Richard Roundtree
Ralph White
O J Simpson
Lorne Green
Chuck Connors
And many more . Equally there were many famous faces whose names I did not actually know .
The music is distinctive for anyone who has ever viewed Roots and slightly nostalgic.

If you fancy something a little different why not pick up a copy or hire from the local rental shop . A worthy viewing experience .

Thanks for Reading
© Eiley 2007

£12.97 at Amazon . 

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