Product Details

• Actors: Angela Bassett
• Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 4
• Studio: Wgbh / Pbs
• VHS Release Date: March 28, 2000
• Run Time: 360 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1578071437
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,880 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"Everything you thought you knew about slavery is about to be challenged." So says WGBH about its six-hour series Africans in America, and they are absolutely right. Interviews with historians and luminaries such as General Colin Powell, dramatic re-creations of important events, and beautiful photography create a vivid and compelling story of over 400 years of tragedy. Ten million Africans died on the journey to America alone; they and the countless numbers whose lives were wasted in servitude find a voice in Angela Bassett's outstanding narration. At once scholarly and moving, Africans in America should be required viewing for anyone interested in the American condition. --Rob Lightner

Product Description

A vital, valuable documentary. - People The documentary equivalent of Roots. - Orlando Sentinel Everything you thought you knew about slavery is about to be challenged. Africans in America: America's Journey Through Slavery is the groundbreaking series that makes history by sharing it from a new perspective. Nearly ten years in the making, this landmark six-hour set exposes the truth through surprising revelations, dramatic recreations, rare archival photography and riveting first-person accounts. Africans in America helps define the reality of slavery's past through the insightful commentary of a wide range of voices, including General Colin Powell and leading scholars, and offers unparalleled understanding--from slavery's birth in the early 1600s through the violent onset of civil war in 1860. Narrated by Angela Bassett; includes the voices of William Hurt and Andre Braugher. Winner 1998 Peabody Award.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

115 of 116 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a journey that every American must make., March 24, 1999

By 

Robin R. Means Coleman, Ph.D. (robin.coleman@... (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Africans in America [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Narrated by Academy Award nominee Angela Bassett, "Africans in America" is the first television/video documentary which works to chronicle the full history of slavery in America. The documentary is an incredibily ambitious effort that employs relevant scholarly data, interviews with noted historians, lively story-telling, and vivid accounts from slave descendants to detail, in four ninety-minute episodes, events from when Black and White indentured servants worked side by side (the colonial era) to the freedom from slavery that came at the end of the Civil War. "Africans in America" could not come at at a better time, when issues of racial strife continue to have a stranglehold on this nation. By looking at our racial past, we may be able to understand our racial present and future. The first part of the documentary, "The Terrible Transformation," details the origins of slavery in America. It dispels misconceptions that slavery was a sudden, full-blown institution. Rather, it shows that during the early 17th century slavery became institutionalized over many decades, law by law. Part two, "Revolution," focuses on the popularity of slavery in both the South and North, and on George Washington's role in legalizing slavery. Again, little known facts are highlighted, such as the role slaves played as combatants in the American Revolution. Part three, "Brotherly Love," turns to the then capital of the nation, Philadelphia, to recount how the government recommitted to slavery for Blacks while promising Whites liberty. This part also explores how the White scientific community worked to link the Black race with biological inferiority, thereby justifying the enslavement of African Americans. The final part of the documentary, "Judgment," covers antebellum and post-antebellum years. It reminds us of the constitutional amendment to free the slaves. More importantly, this final part challenges viewers to consider if slavery was really an inevitable institution, and, based on past behaviors, whether this country can ever gain racial harmony. "Africans in America" is thorough-- it took 10 years and millions of dollars to produce. It was shot on location across 12 states and 3 continents. It draws upon documents, scholars' insights, and a few well-knows such as Gen. Colin Powell. In all, it is a masterful educative effort. This is a journey that every American must make-- preferably through more than one viewing-- so that salient events are understood and so that we may begin to comprehend that the journey to racial reconcilation is far from over.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best teaching instrument to date on the issue of slavery, February 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Africans in America [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have always been interested in the issue of slavery. This video series is like none I have ever seen before, it is excellent! Its as if there are hundreds of slave narratives combined with countless facts and documents to back them up. These videos are more than history, they are windows into the the lives and hearts of American slaves. I would recommend this to any American, whether you are black or white. It is time for the truth.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AFRICANS IN AMERICA!, October 10, 2001

By 

Michael Anthony Brenton (The Other Side of the Known Universe) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Africans in America: America's Journey Through Slavery (DVD)

Originally produced for PBS in 1998, this DVD includes all four installments of this POWERFUL DOCUMENTARY! The focus here is on SLAVERY IN AMERICA, starting with JAMESTOWN in 1607 and ending with the start of the CIVIL WAR in 1861! This documentary combines FIRST-PERSON ACCOUNTS and HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS with INTERVIEWS with not only historians but the descendants of those slaves! This might be the FINEST look at America's PECULIAR INSTITUTION available on DVD!