Malcolm X (1992)

Director:

Spike Lee

Writers (WGA):

Alex Haley (book) and
Malcolm X (book) ...

Release Date:

18 November 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Plot:

The biopic of the controversial and influential Black Nationalist leader.

Plot Keywords:

Political Drama | Black White Relations | Civil Rights Movement | Inner City | New York City

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 13 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Denzel Washington	...	Malcolm X
Angela Bassett	...	Dr. Betty Shabazz
Albert Hall	...	Baines
Al Freeman Jr.	...	Elijah Muhammad
Delroy Lindo	...	West Indian Archie
Spike Lee	...	Shorty
Theresa Randle	...	Laura
Kate Vernon	...	Sophia
Lonette McKee	...	Louise Little
Tommy Hollis	...	Earl Little
James McDaniel	...	Brother Earl
Ernest Thomas	...	Sidney
Jean-Claude La Marre	...	Benjamin 2X (as Jean LaMarre)
O.L. Duke	...	Pete
Larry McCoy	...	Sammy

Also Known As:

X (USA) (poster title)

Runtime:

202 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:12 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-14 | Germany:12 | New Zealand:PG | Peru:14 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

300 Wyckoff Avenue, Bushwick, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks

Trivia:

At one point Oliver Stone expressed interest in directing this project as a follow-up to JFK (1991); Stone's first choice was Denzel Washington, who went on to star in the title role when Spike Lee came on board as director.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The New York Hilton hotel is shown with its name in red electrically lighted letters on the face of the building, but in 1965, the year Malcolm X was assassinated, the letters were blue.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Announcer: In the name of Allah the merciful, all praises due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. The one God to whom praise is due forever. The one who came to us in the person of Master Fard Muhammad and raised up the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Amen.
[pause]
Announcer: Asalaamalaikum!
Crowd: Alaikum-salaam!
Announcer: How do you feel?
Crowd: Good!
Announcer: Who do we want to hear?
Announcer: Malcolm X!
Announcer: Are we gonna bring him on? Yes, we gonna bring him on. Well let us hear from our minister, Minister Malcolm X. Let us bring him on with a round of applause!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Visions of Stanley Kubrick (2007) (V)

Soundtrack:

Beans and Cornbread

The Denzel Washington Show.

A stunning performance by Denzel Washington (Oscar-nominated) carries this film literally into cinematic excellence. He stars as the titled character, the controversial Black Nationalist Leader who is easily one of the most interesting people who lived during the 20th Century. Spike Lee's uncompromising direction focuses on X's life. From his very early childhood to his violent death, the audience is given lots and lots information on the character as the film runs about 195 minutes. A good supporting cast helps, but this is Washington's show from the very start. His performance is very dominant and this is easily one of the best jobs that was never honored with an Academy Award. Brilliant biopic. 5 stars out of 5.