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Malcolm X
- Directed by: Spike Lee
- Starring: Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, Al Freeman, Delroy Lindo, Albert Hall, Theresa Randle, Kate Vernon, Angela Bassett, Brendan Kelly, David Patrick Kelly
- Genre: Dramas
-
Rating:
- Theater Release: 11/18/1992
- Video Release: 05/14/2013
Synopsis
The controversial chronicle of the life of spiritual and political leader, Malcolm X, assassinated at age 39 by black extremists, this well-made, epic film is directed by African-American auteur Spike Lee, garnering an Academy Award nomination for Denzel Washington as the charismatic leader.
The controversial chronicle of the life of spiritual and political leader, Malcolm X, assassinated at age 39 by black extremists, this well-made, epic film is directed by African-American auteur Spike Lee, garnering an Academy Award nomination for Denzel Washington as the charismatic leader.
Production Notes
Filmed on location in New York and Fishkill, New York; New Jersey; Boston, Massachusetts; Mecca, Saudi Arabia; Soweto, South Africa; and Egypt.
MALCOLM X began shooting September 16, 1991, and was completed January 26, 1992.
The screenplay was begun by Arnold Perl, who died in 1971, more than twenty years before Spike Lee filmed it. Many others worked on it over the years, including James Baldwin, Calder Willingham, David Mamet, David Bradley, and Charles Fuller.
The film's estimated budget was $34 million. Budget battles plagued the production from the beginning. Initially, director Spike Lee had requested $33 million for the film, a reasonable sum considering the size and scope of the project but far greater than his previous budgets (the highest being $14 million for JUNGLE FEVER). Additionally, his five previous films combined grossed less than $100 million domestically. As a result of this (and the studio's reluctance to fund black-themed material), Warner Bros. only offered $20 million for a two-hour and 15-minute film, plus an additional $8 million from Largo Entertainment for the foreign rights. When the film went $5 million over budget, Lee kicked in most of his salary, but failed to keep the financiers from shutting down post-production. Lee went public with his battles and raised funds from celebrity friends, such as Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and Bill Cosby to regain control of his embattled project. Warner eventually kicked in more funds after a positive screening of a rough cut.
Norman Jewison was originally intended to direct. Lee created an uproar by insisting that only an African-American director could handle this material (especially given the dearth of films devoted to black culture), and eventually Jewison dropped the project.
Still yet another controversy erupted over Lee's unauthorized use of amateur cameraman George Holliday's video of the Rodney King beating. Holliday charged Lee with copyright infringement for incorporating the footage into the film's opening sequence without permission.
Filmed on location in New York and Fishkill, New York; New Jersey; Boston, Massachusetts; Mecca, Saudi Arabia; Soweto, South Africa; and Egypt.
MALCOLM X began shooting September 16, 1991, and was completed January 26, 1992.
The screenplay was begun by Arnold Perl, who died in 1971, more than twenty years before Spike Lee filmed it. Many others worked on it over the years, including James Baldwin, Calder Willingham, David Mamet, David Bradley, and Charles Fuller.
The film's estimated budget was $34 million. Budget battles plagued the production from the beginning. Initially, director Spike Lee had requested $33 million for the film, a reasonable sum considering the size and scope of the project but far greater than his previous budgets (the highest being $14 million for JUNGLE FEVER). Additionally, his five previous films combined grossed less than $100 million domestically. As a result of this (and the studio's reluctance to fund black-themed material), Warner Bros. only offered $20 million for a two-hour and 15-minute film, plus an additional $8 million from Largo Entertainment for the foreign rights. When the film went $5 million over budget, Lee kicked in most of his salary, but failed to keep the financiers from shutting down post-production. Lee went public with his battles and raised funds from celebrity friends, such as Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, and Bill Cosby to regain control of his embattled project. Warner eventually kicked in more funds after a positive screening of a rough cut.
Norman Jewison was originally intended to direct. Lee created an uproar by insisting that only an African-American director could handle this material (especially given the dearth of films devoted to black culture), and eventually Jewison dropped the project.
Still yet another controversy erupted over Lee's unauthorized use of amateur cameraman George Holliday's video of the Rodney King beating. Holliday charged Lee with copyright infringement for incorporating the footage into the film's opening sequence without permission.
Reviews
"...Triumphant....Denzel Washington gives the performance of the year..." (Rolling Stone)
"...Washington's great performance dominates....MALCOLM X conveys its subject's magnetism and lifelong evolution, while forever synergizing its lead performer and his role..." -- 4 out of 4 stars (USA Today)
"...A triumph, an intimate and engrossing biographical saga....With MALCOLM X, Lee has created a galvanizing political tragedy..." (Entertainment Weekly)
"...In a time when political currents are moving quickly, Lee is one of the few American filmmakers with the clout and the will to make a controversial film like this..." (Chicago Sun-Times)
"...It quivers with righteous rage. Washington is remarkable throughout..." (Total Film)
"...Triumphant....Denzel Washington gives the performance of the year..." (Rolling Stone)
"...Washington's great performance dominates....MALCOLM X conveys its subject's magnetism and lifelong evolution, while forever synergizing its lead performer and his role..." -- 4 out of 4 stars (USA Today)
"...A triumph, an intimate and engrossing biographical saga....With MALCOLM X, Lee has created a galvanizing political tragedy..." (Entertainment Weekly)
"...In a time when political currents are moving quickly, Lee is one of the few American filmmakers with the clout and the will to make a controversial film like this..." (Chicago Sun-Times)
"...It quivers with righteous rage. Washington is remarkable throughout..." (Total Film)
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