MALCOLM X
US, 1992, 201 minutes, Colour.
Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, Al Freeman Jr, Delroy Lindo, Spike Lee, Therese Randle.
Directed by Spike Lee.
Malcolm X was written, directed and produced by Spike Lee. Lee had paid tribute to Malcolm X at the end of some of his previous films like Do the Right Thing and Jungle Fever. Lee said: "Here's a man who rose up from the dregs of society, spent time in jail, re-educated himself and, through spiritual enlightenment, rose to the top."
The film is very long, running 3 hours and 20 minutes. It is in three sections: Malcolm X's early life, the prison sequences and his re-education, the emergence of Malcolm X and his crusade and life's work.
Denzel Washington received an Oscar nomination for his performance as Malcolm X. There is a striking physical resemblance and Washington embodies Malcolm X. There is a strong supporting cast including Al Freeman Jnr as Elijah Muhammad. There are a number of guest and cameo roles including Nelson Mandela addressing a school group, a speech by Bobby Seal, a eulogy written and spoken by Ossie Davis, as well as brief cameos by white actors like Christopher Plummer as the chaplain, Karen Allen as the welfare worker and Peter Boyle as a policeman.
The film is large in scope, a movie rather than a documentary, an attempt to immerse its audience in something of the black culture, especially in the first section. The film also has strong dialogue, based on speeches by Malcolm X, based also on the autobiography as spoken to Roots author Alex Haley. In the speeches, there is a great deal about Malcolm X's religion and philosophy, especially his perception of racism in the United States, the need for black pride, the resentment of white violence.
Malcolm X was assassinated at the age of 39, ten months after he had visited Africa and the Middle East, seeking the roots of Islam. He seemed to have absorbed something of a spirit of universalism but did not have the opportunity to develop it. Malcolm X contrasted himself with the non-violent approach of Martin Luther King - but sequences are shown of King paying tribute to Malcolm X.
1992 was a year of movie biographies, especially Jack Nicholson as Hoffa and Robert Downey Jnr as Chaplin. It was a time for reappraisal of personalities who were criticised by establishment media but whose reputations and influence have continued significantly.
1.The work of Spike Lee, his perspectives on black America, his admiration for Malcolm X, seeing him as a champion of black Americans? The film as a piece of Americana, black perspective? Re-creating the world of Malcolm X, making tribute to him, interpreting his life and influence?
2.The film's relying on audience knowledge of and attitudes towards Malcolm X? As presented by the media in the '50s and '60s? The television footage available? Documentaries on Malcolm X, his appearance in such series as Roots? Memories? His stances on racism, on violence? The creating of fear in white Americans? A personality of the '60s?
3.Spike Lee and his work, skill in writing and directing, performance? His using Alex Haley's autobiography as a foundation for the film? His stance, a movie entertainment rather than a documentary? The screen presence of Denzel Washington, the cast both black and white, the cameos by Nelson Mandela, Bobby Seal and the eulogy of Ossie Davis?
4.The length of the film, its scope as a biopic? The narrative, the voice-over by Malcolm X, the flashbacks, especially to his childhood, the interpretation, the cumulative impact?
.5.The three phases of the film: Boston and Harlem, loud and bright; the prison and re-education, colder; Malcolm X's career, his embracing of Islam, his sense of mission, more direct and warm? The sets, the period and authenticity?
6.The musical score and the wide range of popular American songs evoking each period?
7.The flashbacks to Malcolm Little's origins, as a child, Nebraska, the Ku Klux Klan and the burning of the house? His memories of his mother, her white blood, wanting to counteract this? His father, preaching for the return to Africa and the African nation, the violence of his death and the train? The children, the welfare worker and her insistence that they go into institutions? The mental decline of his mother? The effect of his childhood on him? His comments about life in the institution?
8.His going to Boston, his nickname of Red (and his dyeing and thinning his hair)? His friendship with Shorty, the long scene of their swaggering through the Boston street? His easy life, dancing, the meeting with Sofia and the sexual relationship, the car discussion, at home with her? The contrast of his relationship with Laurie, her strict mother, taking her home, seeing her later and the possibility of her going on the streets? The exhilaration of life in Boston? His going to Harlem, the attractions of New York City, the night life? The clubs? Meeting Archie, leading him on, being honest, working for him? The stealing, the jobs? The cocaine-taking and its effect? Drugs and the '40s? His friendship with Shorty, their arrest, trial, sentence? The first part of the film inviting audiences to experience something of this life of black Americans at the time?
9.Going to jail, the authorities being tough and brutal, the question of his repeating his number and refusal, the long time in solitary, his being broken? The visit of the chaplain and his rejection of the chaplain's persuasion? In the yard, the encounters with Baines? The violence amongst the prisoners, yet his talking with Baines, the experience of Baines' witness, Elijah Muhammad, the principles of Islam, the anti-white stances? Malcolm's gradual change, the serious study - making sure that he got light to read the books in his cell? The degree? His becoming more serious, absorbing Islam, changing his appearance, his clothes? The importance of the discussion scene with the chaplain and the chaplain at pains to try to answer his questions?
10.The significance of Elijah Muhammad: his status, influence, doctrines, black pride, violence? A sacred man and Malcolm X seeing him in vision? His dignity, lifestyle, entourage? His friendship with Malcolm, Malcolm revering him, absorbing things? Baines and his relationship with Elijah Muhammad? The growing jealousy? The assassination of J.F. Kennedy, Malcolm X's public statements and explanations of them? Harming his reputation? Elijah Muhammad rebuking him? The alienation from Elijah Muhammad? Betty and others advising him about the truth? The information about Elijah Muhammad fathering the children with the young secretaries? Malcolm visiting the women and finding out the truth? The break, the confrontation with Baines? Yet the enormous influence of the person, his personality and teaching?
11.Baines, in jail, shrewd, evangelising? Malcolm as a convert? Changing his name - and the explanation of the slave-owners and the unknown names? Baines and his work for Elijah Muhammad, the transition to respectability, to jealousy? The possibilities of violence?
12.The presentation of Elijah Muhammad's message, Malcolm X's message? The speeches, the rallies, the choirs, the back-up, the crowds? Successful rallies, significant statements, the public? The effect on the white Americans? The police and trying to control the crowds? The message of the '50s and '60s?
13.His meeting with Betty, the proposal over the phone, the marriage ceremony, the raising of the family? His being ousted from the nation of Islam? The decision to visit Africa and Arabia, in Egypt, the significant people he met, the pilgrimage to Mecca? The experience and his return to the US? The effect? A more universal sense? The possibilities of reassessing his stances, correcting mistakes? His critique of Martin Luther King - but Martin Luther King's tribute to him?
14.The growing danger, the threats of violence, Betty and the children? His going to the hotel? The FBI listening in - and their comment about his exemplary living? The build-up to the rally at the Audobon Ballroom? Tension, the assistants, the clashes, the speech, the assassination and the violence? The aftermath for the assassins and the crowd chasing them? The investigations?
15.The mood of the final credits, the actual footage of Malcolm X, the photos during the final credits and what the audience was left with after this long experience of the life and times, the ideas of Malcolm X?
