Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives (2003)

Directors:

Ed Bell, Thomas Lennon

Writer:

Mark Jonathan Harris

Stars:

Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bassett, Michael Boatman

Nominated for 4 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Whoopi Goldberg	...	Narrator
Angela Bassett	...	Reader
Michael Boatman	...	Reader
Roscoe Lee Browne	...	Reader
Don Cheadle	...	Reader
Sandra Daley	...	Reader
Ossie Davis	...	Reader
Ruby Dee	...	Reader
Robert Guillaume	...	Reader
Jasmine Guy	...	Reader
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Reader
CCH Pounder	...	Reader
LaTanya Richardson	...	Reader
Ruben Santiago-Hudson	...	Reader
Roger Guenveur Smith	...	Reader

Storyline

---

Taglines:

In their words, our shared history.

---

Genres:

Documentary

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 2003 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

User Reviews

great content, annoying distractions

I loved seeing the actual facts and photos in this movie, and hearing the narratives read. It's an important part of American history that was preserved for us by the researchers back around 1930.

What annoys me is the production. There is far too much extra baggage, scenes showing the actors discussing and prepping for their readings. In at least one early reading, the actress seemed to know nothing about the person or the life of the person who they were just about to portray. That lack of preparation by the actors, plus the footage showing this, really detracted from the flow of the production. It also made their actual portrayals come across as less true and heart-felt, and merely some actor playing some role that they hadn't even researched adequately beforehand.

I would love to see this again in an edited version which removed all of the behind the scene prepping which seemed to glorify the actors to the detraction of the movie's intent, which is the focus on these painful and yet enlightening biographical treasures of American history.

But aside from going to Library of Congress for weeks in order to read the original narratives and view the accompanying photos, this is definitely a great opportunity to learn about slavery days from first-hand witnesses.