U.S. TV to remake 1970s slavery classic 'Roots'

This is absolutely the stupidest thing I have ever heard. I'm speaking purely in terms of cinema and movie history. It's a bit like repainting the Sistine Chapel, really. It appears the Hollywood remake plague has reached its peak. It can only go downhill from here. Not that it was ever up the hill.

It's great to see that many of the original actors are still alive.

Dang, regardless of the content (which is pretty interesting despite being largely recognized as fiction) anything made by Lifetime and The History Channel doesn't really inspire any interest. Especially considering it was something that was a HUGE event the first time around.

It's a bit like repainting the Sistine Chapel, really.

I agree that a similar remake is a bit pointless if it doesn't add much. If they are going to do this, at least make it an HBO remake aimed at an 18plus audience where they explicitly show the horrors of slavery in an uncensored way. But I suspect this will be a fairly tame and uncontroversial version just like the first one.

Waste of film, or videotape, or digital whatever. The original spoke for itself, in a time it meant something. Re-doing the past is like puking up last year's bile. Hollywood should get a life -a new one - and quit regurgitating the same-old, same-old. No creativity left in that part of filmdom!

nice fictional tale- good reading on wikipedia about alex haley and how he crafted it- but remember- it is fiction

This Japan-based JapanToday commentator, his family and friends all loved the original, an epic of narrative and cinematography, and can't wait for the remake.

I don't think the original was a masterpiece. It's very dated. It's a very good idea to make something like it with modern production standards. The only question I have is about plagiarism. Didn't Haley plagiarize the much if the book? Wouldn't it be better to start from scratch with original material? More about the experiences of Native Americans should also be produced.

OK, so if you don't like the idea or think it is a waste of time and money, don't see it.

"OK, so if you don't like the idea or think it is a waste of time and money, don't see it."

OK, I won't.

Vaguely remember a character from that series "Chicken George" whom a black UK standup comedian called Lenny Henry made fun of. These PC days I don't think he would get away with it ????

too many remakes. They will never make a better Kinte than the original Kunta.

Back in the '70s, when there were 4 networks in the US, they had the means to produce something that qualified as an "event." And it was an event in the minds of the viewers, who had precious little choice on TV. Among what used to be called "mini-series," I can recall Roots and The Six Wives of Henry VIII (on PBS, produced by BBC) as being the biggest and the best.

This is absolutely the stupidest thing I have ever heard. I'm speaking purely in terms of cinema and movie history. It's a bit like repainting the Sistine Chapel, really. It appears the Hollywood remake plague has reached its peak. It can only go downhill from here. Not that it was ever up the hill.

You DO know this is aimed at the TV screens and not for movie theaters, right?

Among what used to be called "mini-series," I can recall Roots and The Six Wives of Henry VIII (on PBS, produced by BBC) as being the biggest and the best.

Don't forget James Clavell's "Shogun". That one was pretty big back then PLUS it was filmed entirely in Japan - including the sound stage pieces.

or somewhere other than America

I'd suggest you don't be hasty with that move. People are much the same everywhere (personal opinion). The USA is still the most popular destination for illegal immigrants worldwide. There has to be a reason. Make sure you spend some time (i.e. years) in any country before you make your retirement plans.

Gee, I'm giving jiji advice. My kids' concerns will be confirmed.

Rarely does hollywood (doesn't deserve to be capitalized) do anything worth watching since about the '50s era. Like music, the best they can do is remakes of old music that was great. As for Roots - yeah, that's just what America needs now with all the race baiting going on. Watch for more thugs to riot. I'm ready to retire in Japan, or somewhere other than America.