Customer Reviews

Black Magic

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My husband & I saw the first part of this film when it aired on TV back in March. It was the same night the John Adams series began & which we were planning to watch. We were so sucked into Black Magic, we totally forgot about John Adams. This is an absolutely amazing, remarkable film, on the same high quality level as a Ken Burns-type documentary. The stories are unforgettable...incredibly moving and touching. As a child of the 80s/90s, I learned so much - it's mind-boggling to me that a person would be passed over or banned because of the color of their skin. I'm a huge NBA fan, and couldn't believe the Detroit Pistons passed up Earl Monroe because he went to a smaller black college! For basketball fans, the classic NBA footage is out of this world - early film of Earl Monroe, Wilt Chamberlain, Willis Reed, Oscar Robertson & so many more - this is a must own for any basketball fan!! I can't wait to get my copy & can't recommend it enough!

I recently saw this ESPN production via video tape that I received from a friend of mine. This film recounts the history of small, black college basketball. Let me first say that I am a white middle aged conservative from the south and I would say anyone who is a college basketball and/or a history fan would be absolutely thrilled w/ this film. All the familiar names are there, Willis Reed, Earl Monroe, Charles Oakley, etc that fans may know came from these type of schools but the best parts are the names and stories of guys we've never heard of. They are truly uplifting and at times tragic stories. I was raised in Durham, NC and am (I thought) very knowledgeable of area basketball history but had never heard of John McClendon, arguably one of the leading pioneers in the game. The film also examines a lot of the social and political problems of the 40's,50's and beyond in regards to race and discrimination. This is, in a word, wonderful television. I would highly recommend this purchase.

I lived those vital years of segregation and the NBA. I am a big basketball purist and fan. I also enjoy being enlightned by history, if interesting to me.
If you are reading this, and, considering whether it's worth a couple of dollars. It's worth a couple of dollars. I loved it, and, so will you!
I have been an Earl "The Pearl" Monroe fan since 8th grade. The DVD is worth it for that alone. Enjoy.

We tried to find it at several stores in Traverse City with no luck.
Thank you for making diversity available!

I recently purchased this DVD and its worth every penny I paid for it.
Its full of facts that I would have never know without the research that was put into this DVD. I loved it so much I purchased one for a friend as well because I know how much he would enjoy seeing the LEGENDS OF BASKETBALL and how much they contributed to the game. Excellent item !!!

Vintage college and NBA footage is superb, as is the storytelling. Well worth the price.

This is terrific DVD about the history of small negro college basketball.
Shows a lot of early history of black basketball and how it spilled over into the larger colleges and the NBA.
Every black athlete should read this and realize the hardships the pioneers endured so they could have what they have today.

I thought that Black Magic was exceptional. It's sad that so many basketball junkies never heard or saw these great black coaches and basketball players. I saw a lot of these players at Rucker Park in New York City but there were quite a few great black coaches I have never heard of or seen. Thank you Earl the Pearl for putting your magic touch to a wonderful show. And thank you ESPN for continuing to be the best sports network in the country (maybe the world). I love your 30 for 30 series too.

This is a must see documentary I'm very glad I chose to buy this. It will leave you with a sense of how things really wee back in the early days of college and pro basketball. I will show this to my sons when they are old enough to understand history. This needs to be shown in schools during the month of February.

The main thing I liked about the documentary is that you get to understand what the athletes were going through as all the changes in society was happening around them. Very simple elegance overall concerning the film, not preachy, but informative all the same.