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
• Rating: 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.com Sales Rank: #34,040 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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• For more information about "Melvin Van Peebles' Classified X" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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

34 of 35 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 (REAL NAME)

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.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	[e-mail] "mistermaxxx" (usa) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truthful, February 24, 2006

By	Coffy6 (Trenton, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

This is a very informative DVD. Melvin Van Peebles is a master of entertainment. He gives a very informative and accurate overview of the history of Black Cinema. I recommend this DVD to anyone who is interested in exploring the true roots of African-Americans in film. We have come a long way from Step N Fetchit!!!