Malcolm X 1992

     This is an epic biography of the Black Nationalist Leader Malcolm X.  The film begins during his early life and career as a small-time gangster.  His name at that time was Malcolm Little.  His father was a Baptist Minister and the Ku Klux Clan killed him.  As a minister he preached the beliefs of Marcus Garvey, a leader who taught that white America would never accept black people.  Their best hope was to return to Africa.  Because of his criminal career, Malcolm is incarcerated in prison and he became a member of the Nation of Islam.  Upon his release, he begins preaching the teaching and writings of Elijah Muhammad.  Later, he goes on a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca.  He converts to the original Islamic religion and becomes a Sunni Muslim.  He changes his name to El-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz.

     In his early years Malcolm Little made mistakes that lead to his prison term.  His life began to change over time and traveling abroad resulted in more changes in his life and in his views.  He became committed to speaking the truth and he admitted his thoughts were different.  You can see that Denzel Washington had love and respect for Malcolm in his portrayal of this man.  This is a LONG movie at over three hours!!  Malcolm was in a precarious position with admirers and those who wanted him dead.  He went to stay at a hotel after his house was burned and he wife stayed in another location.  Both received many threatening anonymous phone calls night and day.  He needed more personal protection from his inner team.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)   

  

3 hours 22 min, Bio directed by Spike Lee with Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Delroy Lindo, Albert Hall, Al Freeman Jr., Spike Lee, Theresa Randle, Kate Vernon, Lonette McKee, Tommy Hollis, James McDaniel, Ernest Thomas, Jean-Claude La Marre, O.L. Duke, Larry McCoy. 

Note:  Imdb 7.7 out of 10, Roger Ebert 4*, Rotten Tomatoes 88% critic 91% audience, Metacritic 72 out of 100 with 9 critics 8.2 out of 10 with 59 user scores (53 positive, 4 mixed, negative 2), Empire Online 3* out of 5* Tom Hibbert, Amazon 4.7* out of 5* with 806 reviews. 

Special Note:  Filmed in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey.   Because of specific direct threats against Spike Lee from Louis Farrakhan, his name was removed from this film.  Brother Baines in the prison with Malcolm is a fictional composite character.  The later scenes  are mainly in black and white and they are real footage of Malcolm X.  Ossie Davis reads the speech near the ending.  James Baldwin’s original screenplay has been published under the title “One Day When I Was Lost.”  Denzel Washington prepared for this film by avoiding eating pork, attending Fruit of Islam classes and he learned how to Lindy Hop.  Washington put up his salary to get this film completed.