HISTORY’s Roots remake arrives on Blu-ray and DVD on August 23 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. Check out the box art and special features below.
Last month HISTORY debuted a bold new version of the 1977 series Roots, based on Alex Haley’s novel (1976).
The epic four-night, eight-hour event series is a historical depiction of American slavery through the lens of one family’s journey and their will to survive and carry on their legacy despite hardship. We follow the story of Kunta Kinte, a young man from West Africa, who is sold into slavery, and his family through the generations, up to the Civil War.
The critically acclaimed cast of Roots includes Academy Award winners Forest Whitaker (Fiddler) and Anna Paquin (Nancy Holt); Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award winner Laurence Fishburne (Alex Haley); Golden Globe Award winning and Emmy Award nominated actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Tom Lea); Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose (Kizzy); Grammy Award winner Tip “T.I.” Harris (Cyrus); Chad L. Coleman (Mingo); Emayatzy Corinealdi (Belle); Matthew Goode (Dr. William Waller); Derek Luke (Silla Ba Dibba); Mekhi Phifer (Jerusalem); James Purefoy (John Waller); Erica Tazel (Matilda), and breakout stars Regé-Jean Page (Chicken George) and Malachi Kirby (Kunta Kinte).
When Roots debuted last month on Memorial Day, the premiere episode was watched by 14.4 million total linear viewers over the course of all premiere week telecasts, becoming the #1 scripted mini-series premiere on cable since 2013.
We watched and live tweeted all four nights of Roots (#KuntasKin) and are still reeling from how intensely emotional and gut-wrenching it was to see this story on screen.
According to LeVar Burton, Co-Executive Producer and the original Kunta Kinte:
“Nearly 40 years ago I had the privilege to be a part of an epic television event that started an important conversation in America. I am incredibly proud to be a part of this new retelling and start the dialogue again, at a time when it is needed more than ever.”
We couldn’t agree more! And soon we’ll be able to bring Roots home.
HISTORY’s Roots arrives on Blu-ray (+ Digital HD, suggested retail price of $29.99) and DVD (+ Digital HD suggested retail price of $26.98) on Tuesday, August 23 from Lionsgate. The home entertainment release will also include “Roots: A History Revealed”, an in-depth behind-the-scenes documentary.
Take a look at the box art below and you can pre-order your copy HERE today. Did you watch Roots? What did you think of the new remake? Share your thoughts in comments!
