Watch Roots: The Gift

Roots: The Gift is a made-for-television movie that serves as the epilogue to the original series Roots, which aired in 1977. The movie was produced by Warner Bros. and first aired on December 11, 1988, on ABC. LeVar Burton, who played the character of Kunta Kinte in the original series, returns to reprise his role alongside other actors from the original cast.

The story is set in the present day, some 200 years after the events of the original series. Burton's character, Kunta Kinte, is long dead, but his legacy lives on in the form of his descendants, who are scattered across the United States. One of these descendants is Haley, a young man who is struggling to understand his heritage and his place in the world. Haley is played by Avery Brooks, who would later go on to achieve greater fame for his role in the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

The movie begins with Haley's mother, Bertha (played by Kate Mulgrew), giving him a scrapbook that contains information about their family tree. Haley is only mildly interested in the book at first, but as he begins to learn more about his family's history, he becomes increasingly fascinated. He decides to embark on a journey to discover more about his roots and to connect with his ancestors.

Haley's journey takes him to several different locations around the United States, including Virginia, Connecticut, and New York. Along the way, he meets a number of his relatives, each of whom has a different story to tell. Some of these stories are tragic, while others are inspiring, but all of them help to paint a picture of the struggles and triumphs of Haley's ancestors.

Throughout the movie, there are several flashbacks to scenes from the original Roots series, which help to tie the two stories together. We see Kunta Kinte being captured in Africa and brought to America as a slave, we see his daughter Kizzy (played by Leslie Uggams) being sold away from her family, and we see the struggles of the subsequent generations as they fight for their freedom and their place in society.

At its core, Roots: The Gift is a story about the importance of family and heritage. It highlights the struggles that Haley's ancestors faced, but it also celebrates their strength and resilience. Through his journey, Haley learns to appreciate the sacrifices that his forebears made and to understand how their legacy has shaped his own life.

In terms of production values, Roots: The Gift is a high-quality production. The cinematography is beautiful, with sweeping shots of the American landscape and close-ups of the actors that bring their emotions to life. The music, composed by Quincy Jones, is also excellent, with a sweeping orchestral score that perfectly captures the drama and emotion of the story.

Overall, Roots: The Gift is a powerful and moving film that serves as a fitting conclusion to the original series. While it is not strictly necessary to have seen the original Roots to appreciate this movie, it certainly helps to have a knowledge of the characters and their history. If you're a fan of historical dramas, or if you're simply interested in learning more about the African-American experience, then Roots: The Gift is definitely worth checking out.

Roots: The Gift is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (1 episodes). The series first aired on December 11, 1988.