Product Details

• Actors: Melvin Van Peebles, Margaret Barker, Joanna Barnes, Ethel Barrymore, Harry Belafonte
• Directors: Mark Daniels
• Writers: Melvin Van Peebles
• Producers: Melvin Van Peebles, Christine Le Goff, Judy Aley, Patrick Dumez, Sylvie Jezequel
• Format: Black & White, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Winstar
• DVD Release Date: August 25, 1998
• Run Time: 53 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305069751
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,995 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Melvin Van Peebles' Classified X" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Classified X examines the treatment of black characters throughout the history of American cinema. With candor and wit, Melvin Van Peebles explores the institutionalization of racism in Hollywood.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great primer - get this dvd!, July 20, 2001

By 

E. A. Montgomery (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Melvin Van Peebles' Classified X (DVD)

This was my first exposure to Van Peebles and I wish this dvd were much longer as I found his comments insightful,interesting and slyly amusing. Bring an open mind and you will begin to see and make connections you never considered before.

He's respectful of the people who made careers as a black actor in Hollywood while still pointing out the broad assumptions underlying the roles and the changes from decade to decade. I checked this film out becuase of Spike Lee's comment about it on the Bamboozled dvd. Like Spike, MVP doesn't apologize for not suger coating how he sees things. And his views are fascinating, if difficult.

I consider this a must see dvd for anyone interested in film history, black cinema, or a different look at the Lethal Weapon series. MVP talks about how there was a moment when he saw past the film on the screen and into the broader view of the films taken together as a whole. After viewing this dvd I had quite a bit to think about. I wish I had seen this film before Bamboozled as it is a great prequel to the message of the Spike Lee film.

My hope is that these two together lead to more extensive studies of the topic - perhaps a joint project with MVP, Spike Lee and other interested actors/directors. If you're even thinking about ordering this dvd - do it. It's less costly than a large pizza and much more filling.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Much Props to Melvin Van Peebles, May 30, 2004

By 

A customer "mistermaxxx" (usa) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Classified X [VHS] (VHS Tape)

everything He said Hit Home ten fold.the History of Black Actors&Actress's out in Hollywood hasn't always been given the best possible showing.this Documentary pulls no punches&just deals the Cards the way they were dealt from start to finish.I wish this was longer because when you are watching History you want to keep on learning.Brother Melvin VAn Peebles is truly a Pioneer&One of the Most Versatile Creative Human Beings that has graced the Planet.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good video for my class, March 1, 2006

By 

Gerald Strothers "JerryDJ" (Cleveland Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Melvin Van Peebles' Classified X (DVD)

Here is one of two presentations that I show to my class every year following a discussion on stereotypes. This is a no BS presentation that shows how images have been maniupulated through the decades of film.
I finally bought the DVD so it could be stopped and discussed. Since I teach African American History all year round instead of just during February, this video is one that I always have available. My suggestion is to also find a copy of the Bill Cosby video "Black History: Lost, Stolen, Strayed" if you can and show or watch right before this one.