The wisdom of Malcolm X (2 CDs, 151 mins.) Excerpts of speeches most likely delivered in 1963/1964 showcase his amazing gift of oration.
The Speeches Of Malcolm X (VHS, 41 mins.) Film clips of two 1964 speeches are interspersed with three television interviews from the same era.
Malcolm X : his own story as it really happened (1972, VHS, 92 mins. Closed Caption) The first full-lenth documentary on Malcolm X features an opening rap by the Last Poets. The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Feature Length Documentary.
Eyes on the Prize II: America at the racial crossroads. The Time Has Come: 1964-1965 (1990, VHS 60 mins. Closed Caption). The episode demonstrates the growing public awareness of the Nation of Islam in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s through the power of its minister Malcolm X. Using archival footage and interviews the documentary goes on to show Malcolm X’s split with the Nation and the events leading up to his murder. (aprrox. 45 mins.) The last 15 minutes of the program document changes in the focus and message of the Student Nonviolent Coordinationg Committee as the organize and call for “Black Power” in 1966.
Eyes on the Prize (2006, DVD, 60 mins. Close Caption) vol/disc 4 The Time Has Come: 1964-1965. Same as above.
Malcolm X : Make it Plain (1994, VHS, 150 mins. Closed Caption) Blackside Production Inc. expands their “Eyes on the Prize” episode to include more archival footage and interviews (including interviews with three of Malcolm’s surviving siblings, his widow and eldest daughter). This video provides the most comprehensive view of his life and work and the most complex portrait of him as an indivdual.
Brother Minister: The Assassination of El-Hajj Malik Shabazz (1994, DVD, 115 mins.) This documentary film interviews several men who were associates of Malcolm X in his last months and several men who were present at the Audobon Ballroom the afternoon of the shooting. Twenty-nine years later, many of them are not sure what the answers are about the killing.
Alex Haley : a conversation with Alex Haley (1992, VHS, 50 mins.) Interview and profile of author Alex Haley the collaborator with Malcolm X on his autobiography. Offers an opportunity to get a sense of Haley’s narrative style as he talk-stories his life and carrer. That same style must certainly have shaped the the book’s narrative.
Malcolm X: militant black leader (1992, VHS, 30 mins.) A group of black intellectuals discuss the significance of Malcolm X’s life and work. This video was produced for high school students and is based off a biography by Jack Rummel. The Rummel book is also in Moraine’s collection.
Imaginative Works
Malcolm X (1992, DVD, 201 mins., Closed Caption) Spike Lee’s epic film on the life of Malcom X features stellar performances by Denzel Washington as Malcolm and Angela Bassett as Betty Shabazz.
Death of a Prophet (1981, DVD, 58 mins.) A unique blend of fiction and documentary interviews. Morgan Freeman portrays Malcolm X in his last hours on February 21, 1965. Interspersed with this narrative are interview segments with Yuri Kochiyama (who was present at the Audobon Ballroom the afternoon of the shooting), actor Ossie Davis (who was a supporter) and activist-author Amiri Baraka.
The Meeting (VHS, 1989, 73 mins., Closed Caption) Playwrite Jeff Stetson imagines a private meeting of Malcolm X with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. set on the eve of Malcolm’s assasination. Dick Anthony Williams and Jason Bernard give rivetting performaces as the two men square off about philosophies, practices and beliefs about social change.
Ali (2002, DVD, 157 mins., Closed Caption) Will Smith’s amazing portrayal of boxing champion Cassius Clay /Mahammad Ali is reason enough to see this movie. More than the other titles, it attempts to portray Clay’s deep respect for Malcolm X and his breaking with Malcolm to join the Nation of islam and be named Mhammad Ali.
Many of these titles are currently on display in the front lounge of the library.