Roots: The Gift (1988)
On Christmas Eve 1770, a young African warrior, who three years prior had been captured and sold into slavery in America, leads a desperate group of runaway slaves as they attempt to reach freedom in the North.
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Sadly Over-hyped
How sad is this?
A Masterpiece!
One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.
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.
ROOTS: THE GIFT Is an excellent addition to the saga. Because It Is set In between the time period of Parts 2 and 3 of the original series, It's likely that you would find It hard to understand. However even If you haven't seen any of ROOTS, THE GIFT Is a fell-good drama, and you'll be guaranteed a little weep.
I found this film and rented it because I'm working my way through Kate's films.... what surprised me was the number of Trek actors in it! Levar Burton (Geordie LaForge - TNG), Avery Brookes (Sisco, DS9), Tim Russ (Tuvok, Voyager) and Kate also (Janeway, Voyager). I wasn't surprised to find her playing a woman of dubious morals - she seems to do it so well ( as in Throw Momma from the Train ) - and I think she brought some depth to a small but difficult role.