If you're an instructor of History or Anthropology, as a visual recording of historical facts; viewing the entire Roots collection (including "Queen") is imperative.It is also entertaining to see how the lives of people in these movies evolved.

Roots: The Next Generations is a continuation of Roots following the lives of ancestors of Alex Haley and going to Alex Haley and showing him take an interest in the story of Kunta Kinte from stories his grandmother told him. It ends in the 1960s with him finding where Kunte Kinte had come from in Africa. This is a wonderful moving program. It's very interesting seeing the evolution of society as the episodes progress. This is the second best television program after Roots. That ending is amazingly moving. Roots and Roots: The Next Generations are a result of very intelligent people taking very important topics that they care very much about and creating something that is amazingly powerful.

Alex Haley's 'Roots' and 'The Autobiography of Malcolm X.' are two of the most important and provocative works of non-fiction in twentieth century American literature. Bringing these essential books to film entertainment must have been a daunting task definitely.As most people know the result was entirely successful.The original mini-series 'Roots' was a phenomenal success and went on to become a television classic.'Roots:The Next Generations' reputation is less recognized which seems too bad because this is a powerful, well-acted series as well. I especially liked 'Next Generations' because it dealt with the life of the author and with the historical collaboration on Malcolm X.'s biography. This whole thing was a decade before Spike Lee and Denzel Washington made the brilliant and controversial film 'Malcolm X.'. There is also an amazing scene where Haley interviews American Nazi Party leader George Lincoln Rockwell. Television doesn't get any more topical than this.The production is lavish and expensive for television. there are moments when the production reveals it's made-for-TV budget limitations, the final scenes in Africa are filmed on a studio backlot, some of the aging make-up is obvious,but effective, and the use of two different actresses to play Haley's grandmother in different stages of old age is not effective. But why quibble? This is great stuff. Informative history put in an entertaining way. Besides, how can you go wrong with Marlon Brando and Irene Cara.

i am watching this now on cable TV ONE station which over here is channel 173. amazing film/movie and i plan to order it on DVD as i seen the commercial it is FINALLY BEING RELEASED,in October 07 on DVD. i want it and i love it so much but love even MORE THE ORIGINAL ROOTS. just love it so much can watch it as i do almost each and every year soon to own i my mid 30's the whole collection. no wonder why roots won so many awards and multiple additional nominations..EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH THIS,SHAME ON THE BLACKS LATINOS AND OTHER MINORITIES WHO HASN'T WATCHED,and EVERYONE who believe in STRENGTH, SURVIVING what your thinking,at the time is just too impossible to "survive"and achieve.GOD BLESS YOU ALEX HALEY for this incredible multi-part saga,encompassing QUEEN with HALLE BERRY talented lovely self and others.Bless,all of our ancestors,who came before all of us,may you RIP..Never tired of watching the beautiful talented IRENE CARA,and the handsome beautiful,fine actor,he is of our time under-rated IMO)(in my opinion)Dorian Harewood.Going to watch with an amigo today again.adios