Actors - Malcolm X

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	Actors - Malcolm X

Malcolm X is a 1992 biographical film directed by Spike Lee about the African-American activist and Black nationalist Malcolm X. The story is based on The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley. The original music score is composed by Terence Blanchard.

Denzel Washington was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Malcolm X.

Plot summary

The film breaks the life and times of the famous African-American activist Malcolm X into three sections. The first section deals with the troubled childhood of Malcolm Little, whose father (a preacher) was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan and whose mother was institutionalized for insanity. Malcolm grows up and gets a job as a Pullman porter, calling himself Detroit Red. Getting involved with a Harlem gangster named West Indian Archie with whom he has a falling out, Malcolm flees back to Boston and decides to become a common thief. He and his best friend, Shorty (played by Spike Lee) are arrested by the police and Malcolm is sentenced to a 10 year prison term. The second section follows his life in prison, where a fellow inmate, Baines, introduces him to the teachings of the Nation of Islam.

The third section follows Malcolm's religious conversion as a messianic disciple of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. During this fervent immersion into the Nation of Islam, he becomes an incendiary speaker for the movement and marries Betty Shabazz. Malcolm X preaches a doctrine of separation from white society (which is often interpreted as a message of hate) however, a pilgrimage to Mecca softens his beliefs, teaches him that Muslims come from all races, even Caucasians, and he endeavors to break free of the strict dogma of the Nation of Islam, with tragic results. He was later assassinated and dies a Muslim martyr on February 21, 1965 in Harlem, New York City.

Themes

The most prominent theme that dominates the story is that of a self-made leader who makes a successful life for himself after experiencing abject poverty as a youth and prison as a young man. The film also confronts racism; much of Malcolm's railing from the pulpit speaks of the financial and social poverty experienced by those of his ethnicity in America. However, this theme has been much more sharply and unabashedly explored in Lee's earlier films; here it takes on a milder tone perhaps because Lee is more wisely interested in the life of Malcolm X, rather than focusing solely on the controversy that surrounded him all his life.

Controversy

Spike Lee's efforts to make the film were controversial even before the project received a greenlight from Warner Brothers. Initially, Warner Studios wanted Norman Jewison to direct the film. Lee was quite vocal in his opposition to the choice of Jewison, a white filmmaker. Lee felt that X's story had to be told by a black director. Jewison eventually agreed and stepped aside. However, Lee already had a reputation of being a fiercely independent director working and his critics didn't hesitate in reiterating his longstanding disdain for Hollywood convention and his surly public nature. Lee also encountered immense difficulty in securing the budget he felt was needed. Lee felt that a budget allowance of $33 million was reasonable; however, Warners balked at the sum and refused to approve any more than $20 million and a running length of 135 minutes. Lee took the battle public and several prominent African-American entertainers responded by donating $11 million more to the project. Lee was then free to complete the film the way he wanted and increase the running length to 195 minutes. Interestingly, Warners did allow for more funds after positive reaction from a viewing of a rough version of the film.

Main cast

Denzel Washington
- Malcolm X
Angela Bassett
- Betty Shabazz
Albert Hall
- Baines
Al Freeman, Jr.
- Elijah Muhammad
Delroy Lindo
- West Indian Archie
Spike Lee
- Shorty
Theresa Randle
- Laura
Kate Vernon
- Sophie
Lonette McKee
- Louise Little
Tommy Hollis
- Earl Little

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Malcolm X (film) ]

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Actors - Malcolm X

Plot summary

Themes

Controversy

Main cast

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