Roots: The Gift (1988)

TV Movie   |  Not Rated   |    |  Drama, History

Roots: The Gift (1988) Poster

In December 1775, Kunta Kinte and Fiddler 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... See full summary »

6.6/10
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Cast & Crew

Top Billed Cast

Director:

Kevin Hooks

Writer:

David Eyre Jr.
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User Reviews
11 January 2005 | Single-Black-Male
10
| A Very Special Relationship
After Kunta Kinte was stripped of his name and sold his soul by confessing that he was now Toby Reynolds, Fiddler now became his soul mate for life. There was a very touching moment at the end of episode 2 of 'Roots' where the Fiddler unties Kunta and offers him some comfort. Kunta's defiance of Mr. Ames displayed who the Fiddler (and the rest of the slaves on the plantation) really was. When the tears came to his eyes it also came to our eyes, and it was then that we really cared about this special relationship amongst two slaves. What other film is there where the audience cares about slaves? 'Roots: The Gift' explores their relationship in greater detail before Kunta grew up to be the John Amos portrayal in episode 3. A beautiful relationship if I may say so myself.

Critic Reviews

Did You Know?

Trivia

This television film features four actors who each played a major role in a "Star Trek" television series: LeVar Burton (Kunta Kinte) played Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), Avery Brooks (Cletus Moyer) played Benjamin Sisko in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) and Kate Mulgrew (Hattie Carraway) and Tim Russ (Marcellus) played Kathryn Janeway and Tuvok respectively in Star Trek: Voyager (1995).

Quotes

Edmund Jr.: Come on, you swine. Out. Out!
Fiddler: Thank you young Mr. Parker, but you ain't got to call me no swine.

Goofs

Dr. William Reynolds is shown as Kunta and Fiddler's master. However, in Roots: Part III (1977), they were not sold to William Reynolds until October 1776. In December 1775, they would still have been owned by the doctor's brother, John Reynolds.

Alternate Versions

The original ABC airing included a reference to Eastern Airlines during the end credits; this has been deleted on the vhs release.

Storyline

Plot Summary

Genres

Drama | History

Details

Release Date:

11 December 1988

Language

English

Country of Origin

USA

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