"Roots: 30th Anniversary Special Edition" From Warner Home Video
(February 22, 2007 - Burbank, CA) — In January 1977, 80 million viewers surrounded their television set to watch the mini-series that followed the lives of several generations of a slave family and changed the racial consciousness of a nation. 100 million viewers - almost half the country at the time, saw the thought provoking final episode. A stunning 85% of all television homes saw all or part of the mini-series, and it still claims the position as the #1 mini-series of all time. Now 30 years later, audiences can relive the family’s saga that garnered 9 Emmy® awards, 1 Golden Globe® and 1 Peabody among many others. Unavailable on DVD since 2004, Warner Home Video will re-release "Roots" in a 30th Anniversary Special Edition that includes an additional new bonus disc of special features on May 22, 2007 for $59.98. Order due date is April 17, 2007.
Based on Alex Haley’s best-selling novel about his African ancestors, "Roots" is the story of Kunta Kinte (LeVar Burton), a West African youth captured by slave raiders and shipped to America in the 1700s. The saga follows the different generations up until the Civil War where Kunte Kinte’s grandson, Chicken George (Ben Vereen) gained emancipation. The mini-series captivated the American television audience and became a social phenomenon unlike any other program of its time. The series brought racial issues to the forefront, became a catalyst for open and honest discussions about race and sparked a national interest in genealogy and family history. Aside from its social impact, "Roots" established the mini-series as a format and made household names of actors including LeVar Burton, Louis Gossett Jr., Leslie Uggams, Ed Asner, John Amos, Maya Angelou, Cicely Tyson and Georg Stanford Brown.
“'Roots: 30th Anniversary Special Edition' celebrates the profound impact of Alex Haley’s vision and the mini-series that changed a nation,” said Tehya Kopp, WHV Executive Marketing Director, Documentaries and Telefilms. “Warner Home Video is honored to bring this DVD back to the market in time for the 30th anniversary of its original air date. The effects of 'Roots' can still be felt today and we are excited for new generations to fall in love with this landmark mini-series.”
DVD Special Features Include:
• “Crossing Over: How Roots Captivated An Entire Nation” newly created for this 30th anniversary edition.
• “Remembering Roots” - Behind-the-scenes documentary
• Video Highlights - Key cast members relay their memories of filming particular scenes.
• Audio Commentary - Feature-length commentary by key cast members including Le Var Burton, Cicely Tyson and Ed Asner.
• CD-Rom Content – "Roots’ Family Tree" About Warner Home Video With operations in 90 international territories Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video’s film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.# # #
• “Remembering Roots” - Behind-the-scenes documentary
• Video Highlights - Key cast members relay their memories of filming particular scenes.
• Audio Commentary - Feature-length commentary by key cast members including Le Var Burton, Cicely Tyson and Ed Asner.
• CD-Rom Content – "Roots’ Family Tree" About Warner Home Video With operations in 90 international territories Warner Home Video, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, commands the largest distribution infrastructure in the global video marketplace. Warner Home Video’s film library is the largest of any studio, offering top quality new and vintage titles from the repertoires of Warner Bros. Pictures, Turner Entertainment, Castle Rock Entertainment, HBO Home Video and New Line Home Entertainment.