Roots: The Gift

TV Movie
1988
Not Rated
1h 40m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

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 f... Read allOn 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.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.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

687

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Did you know

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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).

Goofs
Dr. William Reynolds is shown as Kunta and Fiddler's master. However, in 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.

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.

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

Connections
Features Roots: Part II (1977)

User reviews3

Review

Featured review

Kate Mulgrew as Hattie Carraway

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.