Malcolm X

Overview

Writer-director Spike Lee's epic portrayal of the life and times of the slain civil rights leader Malcolm X begins with the cross-cut imagery of the police beating of black motorist Rodney King juxtaposed with an American flag burning into the shape of the letter X. When the film's narrative begins moments later, it jumps back to World War II-era Boston, where Malcolm Little (Denzel Washington) is making his living as a hustler. The son of a Baptist preacher who was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan, Little was raised by foster parents after his mother was deemed clinically insane; as an adult, he turned to a life of crime, which leads to his imprisonment on burglary charges. In jail, Little receives epiphany in the form of an introduction to Islam; he is especially taken with the lessons of Elijah Mohammed, who comes to him in a vision. Adopting the name 'Malcolm X' as a rejection of the 'Little' surname (given his family by white slave owners), he meets the real Elijah Mohammed (Al Freeman, Jr.) upon exiting prison, and begins work as a spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Marriage to a Muslim nurse named Betty Shabazz (Angela Bassett) follows, after which X spearheads a well-attended march on a Harlem hospital housing a Muslim recovering from an episode of police brutality. The march's success helps elevate X to the position of Islam's national spokesperson. There is dissension in the ranks, however, and soon X is targeted for assassination by other Nation leaders; even Elijah Mohammed fears Malcolm's growing influence. After getting wind of the murder plot, X leaves the Nation of Islam, embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca that proves revelatory; renouncing his separatist beliefs, his oratories begin embracing all races and cultures. During a 1965 speech, Malcolm X is shot and killed, reportedly by Nation of Islam members.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/13/2010
UPC:	0883929135950
Original Release:	1992
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	Warner Home Video
Region Code:	1
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	3:21:00
Sales rank:	1,114

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Denzel Washington	Malcolm X,Augusta,Mrs. Johnson,Student in Harlem Classroom
Angela Bassett	Betty Shabazz
Albert Hall	Baines
Al Freeman Jr.	Elijah Muhammad
Delroy Lindo	Archie
Theresa Randle	Laura
Kate Vernon	Sophia
Spike Lee	Shorty
Lonette McKee	Louise Little
Tommy Hollis	Earl Little
James McDaniel	Brother Earl
Ernest Thomas	Sidney,Leon Davis,Crowd Member,Roseland Dancer,Shorty's Dance Partner
O.L. Duke	Pete
Larry McCoy	Sammy
Maurice Sneed	Cadillac
Debi Mazar	Peg
Phyllis Yvonne Stickney	Honey
Scot Anthony Robinson	Daniel,Roseland Dancer,Roseland Dancer,Roseland Dancer
James E. Gaines	Cholly
Joe Seneca	Toomer
LaTanya Richardson	Lorraine
Wendell Pierce	Ben Thomas
Michael Guess	William X
Leland Gantt	Wilbur Kinley
Giancarlo Esposito	Thomas Hayer
Roger Guenveur Smith	Rudy,Brother Gene,Roderick,Elijah Muhammad's Grandson,Ilyasah (age 2-3),Wilfred (age 4),School Teacher,Customer,Fountain Waiter,Brother Gene,Roderick
Craig Wasson	TV Host
Graham Brown	Dr. Payson
Gerica Cox	Eva Marie
Kristan Rai Segure	Saudi
Lauren Padick	Lisha
Danielle Fletcher	Attalah
Robinson Frank Adu	Chuck
Aleta Mitchell	Sister Robin,1st Man
Curt Williams	Mr. Cooper,JFK Reporter,Roseland Dancer
John Ottavino	Blades
John Reidy	Simmons
Frances Foster	Woman Outside Audubon Ballroom
Reggie Montgomery	Dick Jones
David Patrick Kelly	Mr. Ostrowski,Guard Cone,TV Reporter
Gary L. Catus	Doctor
Shirley Stoler	Mrs. Swerlin
Oran 'Juice' Jones	Hustler,Barber's Customer,Pullman Porter,Hooker
Ricky Gordon	Lionel Hampton,Elijah Muhamad's FOI,Elijah Muhammad's FOI
George Lee Miles	Preacher
Raye Dowell	Sister Evelyn Williams
Veronica Webb	Sister Lucille Rosary
Abdul Salaam El Razaac	Fox
George Guidall	Mr. Holway
James L. Swain	Conductor
Pee Wee Love	Speedy
Lawrence James	Tully,TV Reporter
Steve White	Brother Johnson
Christopher Rubin	Sophia's Husband
Matthew Harris	Malcolm (age 5),Roseland Dancer
Zakee Howze	Young Malcolm
Cytia Fontenette	Hilda (age 3)
Marlaine Bass	Hilda (age 8)
Benjamin Atwell	Philbert (age 1)
Peter Dunn	Philbert (age 6)
Dion Smack Jr.	Reginald (age 2)
TaiNesha Scott	Elijah Muhammad's Granddaughter
Chelsea Counts	Yvonne (age 6 Months),Yvonne (age 6 Months)
Natalie Clanton	Yvonne (age 1),Fruit of Islam
Jessica Givens	Attalah
LaToyah Bigelow	Quibillah (age 3)
Martaleah Jackson	Ilyasah (age 2-3),Ilyasah (age 2-3),Tenor Saxophone Player
David Thomas Jr.	Wilfred (age 8)
Simon Do-Ley	Son of Elijah Muhammad and Secretary Evelyn Willia
Bill Goldberg	The `John'
Leonard Parker	Jason
Dyan Humes	Maid at Open Air Market
Lizabeth MacKay	White Woman in Market
Terry Layman	CIA Agent
Terry Sumter	CIA Agent
Jasper McGruder	Hotel Clerk
Wyatt T. Walker	Hospital Spokesperson,Hooker
Hazel Medina	Cashier Person
Wendy E. Taylor	Numbers Woman
Ed Herlihy	Joe Louis Announcer
Ralph Cooper Sr.	Radio Announcer
Christian J. Dacosta	Passerby
Karen T. Duffy	Sophia's Friend
Marc Phillips	Photographer
Showman Uneke	Hustler at Grand Central Station
Theara Ward	Movie Goer
Larry Cherry	Prison Barber
Clebert Ford	Barber
Grafton Trew	Barber
Rogers Simon	Barber
George T. Odom	Barber
Vincent Moscaritola	Prison Guard
Larry Attile	Guard Baines
John Griesemer	Guard Wilkins
Fia Porter	Coed
Kent Jackman	2nd Man
Beatrice Winde	Elderly Woman
Fracaswell Hyman	Bartender
Rion Johnson	Shoeshine Boy
Charles Weldon	Follower at Temple Number 7
Mike Hodge	Follower at Temple Number 7
Ira Little	Follower at Temple Number 7
Ilyasah Shabazz	Follower at Temple Number 7
Bahni Turpin	Follower at Temple Number 7
Aaron Blackshear	Student in Harlem Classroom
Nilyne Fields	Student in Harlem Classroom
Rudi Bascomb	Student in Harlem Classroom
Muhammad Parks	Student in Harlem Classroom,Roseland Dancer
Chinere Parry	Student in Harlem Classroom
Ian Quiles	Student in Harlem Classroom
Sharmeek Martinez	Student in Harlem Classroom
Chuck Cooper	Customer
Damon Chandler	Customer
Shellye D. Broughton	Customer
Nicholas Barnwell	Customer
Sam Dixon	Customer
Rome Neal	Prisoner
Earl Whitted	Prisoner
Michael Mahon	Prisoner
Addison Cook	Prisoner
Byron Utley	Prisoner
George Rafferty	Prisoner
Maxwell Sinovoi	Prisoner
Eric Swirsly	Prisoner
Stewart J. Zully	TV Reporter
Colleen Cowan	TV Reporter
Armand Schultz	TV Reporter
Janet Zarish	TV Reporter
Annie Corley	TV Reporter
Steven Randazzo	TV Reporter
Christopher Skutch	TV Reporter
William Swinton	TV Reporter
Marcus Naylor	TV Reporter
Anthony Nocerino	TV Reporter
Stephen Hanan	JFK Reporter
Richard Schiff	JFK Reporter
David Berman	JFK Reporter
Michael Imperioli	Reporter at Fire Bombing
Steve Stapenhorst	Reporter at Fire Bombing
Arthur French	Pullman Porter
Lex Monson	Pullman Porter
Erika Smith-Brown	Waitress
Delilah Picart	Crowd Member
Michael Ralph	Crowd Member
Monique Cintron	Hooker
Neisha Folkes-Le'Melle	Hooker
Lenore Pemberton	Hooker
Felicia Wilson	Hooker
Yvette Brooks	Hooker,Skeleton Crew Dancer
Teresa Yvon Farley	Young Hooker,Mounted Police
John Sayles	FBI Agent
Martin Donovan	FBI Agent
Jay Charbonneau	Cop at Audobon
Joe Pentangelo	Mounted Police
Nick Muglia	Mounted Police
David Reilly	Mounted Police
Nick Turturro	Boston Cop
James Murtaugh	Cop at Harlem Station
William Fichtner	Cop at Harlem Station
Tim Kelleher	Cop at Harlem Station
Michael Cullen	Desk Sergeant
James MacDonald	Lieutenant
Steve Aronson	Black Legion Leader
Bill Anagnos	Black Legion Member
Don J. Hewitt	Black Legion Member,Black Legion Member
Joe Fitos	KKK Member
Manny Siverio	KKK Member
Jack McLaughlin	KKK Member
Shaun O'Neil	KKK Member
Andy Duppin	KKK Member
Elmer Licciardello	KKK Member
Matt Dillon	DJ at the Harlem `Y' Dance
Renton Kirk	DJ at the Harlem `Y' Dance
Tim Hutchinson	Fruit of Islam
Andre Blair	Fruit of Islam
Abdul Kakeem Hijrah	Fruit of Islam
Scott Whitehurst	Malcolm's FOI
Eric Payne	Malcolm's FOI
Ali Abdul Wahbah	Malcolm's FOI
Terry Hodges	Malcolm's FOI
Kevan Gibbs	Malcolm's FOI
Dana Hubbard	Malcolm's FOI
David Reivers	Elijah Muhamad's FOI
Robert Jason	Elijah Muhamad's FOI
Kevin Rock	Elijah Muhamad's FOI
Mansoor Najeeullah	Elijah Muhamad's FOI
Dion Graham	Elijah Muhamad's FOI
Zaahir Muhammad	Elijah Muhamad's FOI
Gregory Bargeman	Elijah Muhamad's FOI
Lee Summers	Elijah Muhamad's FOI
Larry Rushing	Elijah Muhamad's FOI
Monty Ross	MC/Roseland
Eddie Davis	Trumpet Player,Eulogy Performer
Reggie Pittman	Trumpet Player
Patrick Rickman	Trumpet Player
Gerald Brazel	Trumpet Player
Clark Gaton	Trombone Player
Richard Owens	Trombone Player
Douglas Purviance	Trombone Player
Mark Gross	Alto Saxophone Player
Cleave Guyton Jr.	Alto Saxophone Player
Lance Bryant	Tenor Saxophone Player
Danielle LeMelle	Baritone Saxophone Player
David Fludd	Piano Player
Marcus Lauper	Bass Player
Dwayne 'Cook' Broadnax	Drummer
Preston Vismale	Music Assistant
Miki Howard	Billie Holiday
Terence Blanchard	Trumpet Plyer,Composer
Bruce David Barth	Piano Player
Rodney Whitaker	Bass Player
William E. Kilson	Drummer
Sonny Allen	Roseland Dancer,Miss Dunne
Vanessa Benton	Roseland Dancer
Cheryl Burr	Roseland Dancer
Leslie Dockery	Roseland Dancer
Cisco Drayton	Roseland Dancer
Byron Easley	Roseland Dancer
John Elejalde	Roseland Dancer
Debra Elkins	Roseland Dancer
Gina Ellis	Roseland Dancer
Sharon Ferguson	Roseland Dancer
John Festa	Roseland Dancer
Robert H. Fowler III	Roseland Dancer
Ryan Francois	Roseland Dancer
Phillip Gilmore	Roseland Dancer
Jauquette Greene	Roseland Dancer
Wendy King	Roseland Dancer
Jerome Jamal Hardeman	Roseland Dancer
Dawn Hampton	Roseland Dancer
Monique Harcum	Roseland Dancer
Delphine T. Mantz	Roseland Dancer
Bernard Marsh	Roseland Dancer
Greta Martin	Roseland Dancer
Norma Miller	Roseland Dancer
Frances Morgan	Roseland Dancer
Greg Poland	Roseland Dancer
Judine Hawkins Richard	Roseland Dancer
Ken Leigh Rogers	Roseland Dancer
Eddie Sanabria	Roseland Dancer
Eddie Shellman	Roseland Dancer
Lynn Sterling	Roseland Dancer
Charles F. Young	Roseland Dancer
Anthony Dewitt	Roseland Dancer
Laurieann Gibson	Skeleton Crew Dancer
El Tahara Ibrahim	Skeleton Crew Dancer
Keith Lewis	Skeleton Crew Dancer
Dereque Whithurs	Skeleton Crew Dancer
Steve Reed	John F. Kennedy
Jodie Farber	Jackie Kennedy
Randy Means	Governor Connally
Columbia DuBose	Nellie Connally
Vincent D'Onofrio	Bill Newman
Cliff Cudney	Limo Driver
George Marshall Ruge	Secret Service Man
Bobby Seale	1st Speaker
Al Sharpton	2nd Speaker
Christopher Plummer	Chaplain Gill
Peter Boyle	Captain Green
William Kunstler	The Judge
Henry B. Walthall	Actor
Jean LaMarre	Actor
Ashanti	Student in Harlem Classroom (uncredited)
Nelson Mandela	Soweto Teacher
Al Freeman	Actor

Technical Credits

Spike Lee

Arnold Perl

Spike Lee	Director,Screenwriter,Producer,Producer
Arnold Perl	Screenwriter
Randall Balsmeyer	Special Effects
Steven Kirshoff	Special Effects
Robi Reed-Humes	Casting
Jeff Ward	Stunts
Marvin Worth	Producer
Preston L. Holmes	Producer,Producer
Chuck Jeffreys	Stunts

Editorial Reviews

Malcolm X is an epic in the truest sense, conveying the life and times of one of the most remarkable men of his era and making clear why he continues to matter. The screenplay (credited to Spike Lee and Arnold Perl) telescopes a tremendous amount of information into 3 hours and 25 minutes without seeming either overstuffed or excessively detailed. Lee's potent and eloquent visual style is used to superb effect, with the invaluable assistance of cinematographer Ernest Dickerson and production designer Wynn P. Thomas. While Lee's sympathies are easy to detect, the film presents Malcolm as a three-dimensional human being whose message was powerful and necessary but often flawed. As the story spans the four decades of Malcolm's life, Denzel Washington captures with equal conviction and accuracy the sullen teenager, the hardened criminal, the fiery activist, and the mature martyr. Terence Blanchard's score, combined with a stack of vintage music from Big Joe Turner and Louis Jordan to Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, is the perfect emotional match for this material. Never afraid to present controversial opinions or take chances, Malcolm X is also a deeply moving biopic that puts a human face on an often misunderstood man.