Roots (1977) (Episode 1)

Part 1 of 6 of the ground breaking US period drama. In Gambia, West Africa, Kunta Kinte, son of Omoro and Binta, distinguishes himself in manhood ritual training. However, he doesn't get to enjoy his new status long as slave traders sweep the country and capture him. Chained with other captives, Kunta begins an agonizing odyssey into the New World... This was a hugely momentous TV series for American TV and across the world and not only secured huge ratings when it was first broadcast on January 23rd 1977, but won a hatful of awards. This was one from Mum's collection, so I hope you enjoy it. As the cast list is so large I have just copied the list from wikipedia. CAST: John Amos – Older Kunta Kinte (3) Maya Angelou – Nyo Boto (1) Ed Asner – Capt. Davies (2) Lloyd Bridges – Evan Brent (2) Georg Stanford Brown – Tom Harvey (2) LeVar Burton – Young Kunta Kinte (2) Macdonald Carey – Squire James (1) Olivia Cole – Matilda (3) Chuck Connors – Tom Moore (2) Scatman Crothers – Mingo (1) Ji-Tu Cumbuka – Wrestler (2) Brad Davis – Ol' George Johnson (2) Sandy Duncan – Missy Anne Reynolds (2) Lynda Day George – Mrs. Reynolds (3) Louis Gossett Jr. – Fiddler (3) Lorne Greene – John Reynolds (2) Moses Gunn – Kintango (1) George Hamilton – Stephen Bennett (1) Hilly Hicks – Lewis (2) Burl Ives – Sen. Arthur Justin (1) Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs – Noah (1) Carolyn Jones – Mrs. Moore (2) Doug McClure – Jemmy Brent (1) Ian McShane – Sir Eric Russell (1) Lynne Moody – Irene Harvey (2) Vic Morrow – Ames (2) Thalmus Rasulala – Omoro (1) Robert Reed – Dr. William Reynolds (4) Harry Rhodes – Brima Cesay (1) Richard Roundtree – Sam Bennett (1) John Schuck – Ordell (1) Paul Shenar – John Carrington (1) O. J. Simpson – Kadi Touray (1) Madge Sinclair – Bell Reynolds (3) Cicely Tyson – Binta (1) Leslie Uggams – Kizzy Reynolds (2) Ben Vereen – Chicken George Moore (3) Ralph Waite – Third mate Slater (2) William Watson – Gardner (1) Ren Woods – Fanta (2) Also appearing Lane Binkley – Martha Johnson (2) Tanya Boyd – Genelva (2) Todd Bridges – Bud (1) Grand L. Bush – Captured runaway slave (1) Gary Collins – Grill (1) Charles Cyphers – Drake (1) Thayer David – Harlan (2) Richard Farnsworth – Trumbull (1) Tracey Gold – Young Missy Reynolds (1) Brion James – Slaver (1) Macon McCalman – Poston (1) Richard McKenzie – Sam Harvey (2) John Quade – Sheriff Biggs (1) Roxie Roker – Malizy (1) Lillian Randolph – Sister Sara (1) Raymond St. Jacques – Drummer (1) Austin Stoker – Virgil (2) Ernest Lee Thomas – Kailuba (1) Beverly Todd – Older Fanta (1) Zack Fisher as Abraham Lincoln. (PS: The numbers by the side of cast members indicate how many episodes they appeared in. As that goes by the US adaptation of 8 episodes and not 6 episodes as I have here, that number will likely not be accurate).