#1160: LEE, Spike: Malcolm X (1992)

LEE, Spike (United States)
Malcolm X [1992]
Spine #1160
Blu-ray


One of the most electrifying heroes of the twentieth century receives an appropriately sweeping screen biopic, rich in both historical insight and propulsive cinematic style, courtesy of visionary director Spike Lee. Built around an extraordinary performance from Denzel Washington, Malcolm X draws on the iconic civil rights leader’s autobiography to trace his journey of empowerment, from a childhood riven by white-supremacist violence to a life of petty crime to his conversion to Islam and rebirth as a fearless fighter for Black liberation, whose courage and eloquence inspired oppressed communities the world over. An epic of impeccable craft that was made with Lee’s closest creative collaborators and is buoyed by commanding performances from Delroy Lindo, Angela Bassett, Al Freeman Jr., and others, this is a passionate monument to a man whose life continues to serve as a model of principled resistance.

201 minutes
Black and White/Color
5.1 Surround
1:85:1
Criterion Release 2022

Director/Writers

Based on The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley.
Screenplay by Arnold Perl and Spike Lee.
Lee was 35 when he directed Malcolm X.

Other Lee films in the Collection:

#97: Do the Right Thing (1989)
#1019: Bamboozled (2000)

The Film

a

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Forty-eight page booklet featuring an essay by writer Barry Michael Cooper.

Commentary

From 2005 featuring director Lee, DP Ernest Dickerson, editor Barry Alexander Brown, and costume designer Ruth E. Carter.

Conversation

Between Lee and writer Cooper.

Interviews

With actor Lindo and composer Terence Blanchard.

Making-of program

Featuring Lee, Dickerson, Brown, Blanchard, Carter, actor Washington, filmmaker Martin Scorsese, actor Davis, Malcolm X’s daughter Ilyasah Shabazz, and others.

Malcolm X (1972)

Feature-length documentary directed by Arnold Perl and narrated by actor James Earl Jones.

Deleted scenes

With introductions by Lee

Trailer

Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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