Alex Haley’s Queen (TV Mini-Series/Warner DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: D Episodes: B
Though it
felt belated and arrived after the author’s death, Alex Haley’s Queen (1993) is a surprisingly good TV Mini-Series
conclusion to the Roots saga and did
the one thing the main minis did not do, help to launch an African American
star. In this case, it was Halle Berry
in the title role (as adult) with the twist that slave and owner fall for each
other and the result is the title character.
Then we follow her triumphs and many troubles ahead.
Running
282 minutes (minus commercials) it can run longer than it should, but it still
manages to hold the spirit of its predecessors together while being the long
goodbye to the whole saga. The cast including
Ann-Margret, Ossie Davis, Patricia Clarkson, Tim Daly, Victor Garber, George
Grizzard, Jasmine Guy, Dennis Haysbert, Jane Krakowski, Lonette McKee, Raven
Simone, Martin Sheen, Madge Sinclair, Sada Thompson and Paul Winfield is a
solid and compelling one, from its veterans to other stars whose careers moved
forward afterwards. We only recommend
you watch both Roots mini-series
before seeing this, or its impact will not be as strong.
The 1.33
X 1 image is a little soft, but was shot on film and looks good, so any issued
come from the older video master used.
The Dolby Digital 1.0 Mono is not bad, though it is a bit compressed and
maybe they should try to upgrade the sound next time. There are no extras, but the episodes are
plenty and round things out in a full and logical way.
- Nicholas Sheffo
