bkoganbing
Although Roots is about slavery it is also about family and legacy and as such has a universal message. The superb quality of the first mini- series is carried on in Roots: The Next Generation. The first series left off at the Reconstruction Era where hopes of legal, economic, and social equality are dashed, most especially during the Populist era of the 1890s. That was when a lot of demagogic politicians especially those in the South linked racism to economic advancement for poor whites. A legacy the South still has to deal with today.Great Grandson Tom Harvey of Kunte Kinte from Africa and his wife Irene played by Georg Stanford Brown and Lynne Moody carrying on from the first series. Legends of Kunte Kinte renamed Toby here are handed down to the family as he's referred to as 'the old African'. The issues in their different forms are being addressed down to the present generation as author Alex Haley played by James Earl Jones rediscovers and documents the family's African roots. Marlon Brando won an Emmy and is unforgettable as George Lincoln Rockwell head of the American Nazi Party. You will not forget his performance as the personification of hate and James Earl Jones's extreme uncomfortableness doing an interview. By contrast Jones develops a rough rapport with Malcolm X played by Al Freeman and gets his first acclaim as a writer doing Malcolm's autobiography.One role I particularly liked was that of John Hancock who is the CPO of the steward's mess in The Coast Guard and mentor to young Alex Haley played by Damon Evans. It's a similar to the non-commissioned officer that Hancock played in A Soldier's Story.Also in a mentoring role of sorts is Ossie Davis who mentors Alex Haley's father Simon Haley played by Dorian Harewood in the ways of being a Pullman Porter. The issues involving that job and the organization by A. Phillip Randolph of The Brotherhood Of Sleeping Car Porters ares touched on here, but dealt with fully in 10,000 Black Men Named George.Roots: The Next Generation continues an excellent tradition and will be seen by more generations than the old African Kunte Kinte could have imagined.
johnstonjames
Alex Haley's 'Roots' and 'The Autobiography of Malcolm X.' are two of the most important and provocative works of non-fiction in twentieth century American literature. Bringing these essential books to film entertainment must have been a daunting task definitely.As most people know the result was entirely successful.The original mini-series 'Roots' was a phenomenal success and went on to become a television classic.'Roots:The Next Generations' reputation is less recognized which seems too bad because this is a powerful, well-acted series as well. I especially liked 'Next Generations' because it dealt with the life of the author and with the historical collaboration on Malcolm X.'s biography. This whole thing was a decade before Spike Lee and Denzel Washington made the brilliant and controversial film 'Malcolm X.'. There is also an amazing scene where Haley interviews American Nazi Party leader George Lincoln Rockwell. Television doesn't get any more topical than this.The production is lavish and expensive for television. there are moments when the production reveals it's made-for-TV budget limitations, the final scenes in Africa are filmed on a studio backlot, some of the aging make-up is obvious,but effective, and the use of two different actresses to play Haley's grandmother in different stages of old age is not effective. But why quibble? This is great stuff. Informative history put in an entertaining way. Besides, how can you go wrong with Marlon Brando and Irene Cara.
lawrence-14
Sorry, but i can't accept the user rating for ROOTS: THE NEXT GENERATIONS. 5.6/10!!!!. Is that all!!!. This is a brilliant series in it's own right not to mention being the perfect continuation of Alex Haley's classic saga, 'Roots'.I suppose the best part of NEXT GENERATIONS is the final part, the one we've all been waiting for. Alex Haley 'finding' Kunta Kinte in the African village of Juffaree where he was born all those years ago. James Earl Jones was an excellent choice to play Alex Haley. If you've seen ROOTS then you must see NEXT GENERATIONS without fail. It's just as good and just as touching.
Meggie-3
This mini series was televised in 1979, at which time, I was only 15 years old. I remember Roots, the original mini series which told the story of an African who was brought to America and was a slave. Although I had read about slavery in the history book, I never imagined how slavery really imprisoned the actual slaves. It's a part of history that we as Americans don't like to discuss, because of the shame. However, it did happen. It's strange how we show rememberance for the Hollocaust, which didn't even happen here, but we shun the topic of slavery, only briefly touch on it in the history books. Watching the series Roots really tears at my very soul for what 100 million slaves had to bear, how they lost their families, their language, religion, and ultimately themselves is heart wrenching. Roots, The next Generations, was also very deep, with an all star cast, and I was truly touched by the story of Alex Haley'