Malcolm X (movie)
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Template:Infobox Movie Malcolm X is a 1992 dramatic movie directed by Spike Lee about the African-American activist and Black nationalist Malcolm X. The story is based on The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley.
Denzel Washington was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Malcolm X.
Plot outline
Born Malcolm Little, his father (a preacher) was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan. He became a gangster known on the street as "Detroit Red" and while in jail, discovered the Nation of Islam writings of Elijah Muhammad. He preaches the teachings when out of jail, but later goes on a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca, there he converts to the original Islamic religion and becomes a Sunni Muslim. He changes his name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and stops his anti-white teachings, as he realizes the error of his ways. He is later assassinated and dies a Muslim Martyr in 1965 in New York City.
Quotes
- Ruby: (to Malcolm) I'm half wop, I'm half nigger. I'm not afraid of nobody.
- Baines: (to Malcolm) A man curses because he doesn't have the words to say what's on his mind.
- Malcolm X: We didn't land on Plymouth Rock. Plymouth Rock landed on us!
- Captain Green: (witnessing Malcolm's control over a mob) That's too much power for one man to have.
- Malcolm X: The only thing I like integrated is my coffee.
- Elijah Muhammad: (to Malcolm) You will be in the public eye. Beware of them cameras. Oh, them cameras are bad as any narcotic.
- Malcolm X: (to Betty) We had the best organization a black man's ever had. Niggers ruined it.
Main cast
- Denzel Washington - Malcolm X
- Angela Bassett - Betty Shabazz
- Albert Hall - Baines
- Al Freeman, Jr. - Elijah Muhammad
- Delroy Lindo - West Indian Archie
- Spike Lee - Shorty
- Theresa Randle - Laura
- Lonette McKee - Louise Little
special appearances by:
- Christopher Plummer - Chaplain Gill
- Karen Allen - Miss Dunne
- Peter Boyle - Captain Green
- William Kunstler - The Judge
- Nelson Mandela - Soweto Teacher
- Ossie Davis - Eulogy Performer