Malcolm X (1992)

The biopic of the controversial and influential Black Nationalist leader.

Director:

Spike Lee

Writers:

Alex Haley (book), Malcolm X (book),

Stars:

Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Delroy Lindo

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 19 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Biopic of Malcolm X, the famous African American leader. Born Malcolm Little, his father (a minister) was killed by the Ku Klux Klan. Malcolm became a gangster, and while in jail discovered the Nation of Islam writings of Elijah Muhammad. He preaches the teachings when let out of jail, but later on goes on a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca, there he converts to the original Islamic religion and becomes a Sunni Muslim. He changes his name to El-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz and stops his anti-white teachings, as he realizes the error of his mistakes. He is later on assassinated and dies a Muslim martyr.

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Plot Keywords:

jail | gangster | african american | islam | religion | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for a scene of violence, and for drugs and some language

Details

Country:

USA Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 November 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

X

Filming Locations:

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

Box Office

Budget:

$33,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$48,169,908 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Largo International N.V., JVC Entertainment Networks, 40 Acres & A Mule Filmworks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

202 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (35 mm prints) 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Malcolm X once worked as a porter on the railroad as shown in the movie. Researchers for the film needed to find some equipment that was accurate to the time period when Malcolm worked for the New Haven Railroad. The Valley Railroad in Essex, CT was contacted for information on a Pullman car by name (Great Republic). Valley RR had one of the actual coaches that Malcolm X once worked on. From there they got involved with the VRR to do shooting in Essex, CT and also took a number of the coaches down to New York to do filming in the city setting. The coach Great Republic had been in the process of being restored, as the Valley RR had just obtained it from a train collector in Stonington, CT that had it in his back yard for decades. This coach that Malcolm once worked on, is now proudly serving as the First Class Parlor car on the Essex Steam Train

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Goofs

When "West Indian Archie" buys Malcolm a double in the bar, a neon sign has a modern Miller beer logo (visible in the mirror behind the bar).

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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 ...

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Crazy Credits

The credits feature many prominent African-American entertainers (Bill Cosby and Janet Jackson among others) wearing X-Caps and using their arms to make the "X" symbol.

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Connections

Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: Saw VI/Cirque du Freak/The Vampire's Assistant/Amelia (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Chew Chew Chew"
Written by Ella Fitzgerald, Buck Ram, and Chick Webb
Performed by Ella Fitzgerald

User Reviews

Excellent and interesting

I was only familiar with the history and influence of Malcolm X before I saw the film so I can't really judge it's faithfulness or accuracy. But as a film, I thought it was great. I really like Spike Lee; he keeps things fast-paced and interesting with his camera angles and colours/lighting. For awhile after Malcolm first begins his activism with the nation of Islam, you find yourself conflicted, both respecting the man and often disagreeing with him. Lee handles it well without condemning or supporting really, just showing Malcolm's gradual transition in his beliefs. The inserted documentary footage, especially at the end, shows how Malcolm's words still relate today. Someone commented that they only watched an hour of the movie and Lee doesn't know how to tell a story but maybe if they would be slightly more open-minded, realize it's not a literal adaptation of the autobiography, and actually finish the film, they could understand that Lee does not just want to tell the story of one man but rather wants it to reflect the struggle of a race. I really enjoyed the film; it was long but never slow and definitely worth watching.