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Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives [DVD]

Various (Actor, Director) Rated:
NR
Format: DVD
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 84 ratings
IMDb8.0/10.0
$17.25
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DVD
January 20, 2004
DVD Video
1
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Genre Documentary, Drama
Format NTSC, Color, Closed-captioned, Dolby, DVD
Contributor Various
Language English
Number Of Discs 1
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Product Description

Product Description

Unchained Memories: Slave Narrative (DVD)

When the Civil War ended in 1865, more than four million slaves were set free. Over 70 years later, the memories of some 2,000 slave-era survivors were transcribed and preserved by the Library of Congress. These first-person anecdotes, ranging from the brutal to the bittersweet, have been brought to vivid life in this unique HBO documentary special, featuring the on-camera voices of over a dozen top African-American actors.

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The material used for this beautifully made HBO documentary dates back to the 1930s, when journalists conducted thousands of interviews with former slaves who'd been emancipated at the end of the Civil War. A selection of these faithfully transcribed "slave narratives" are vividly read (acted, really) here by a host of distinguished performers, ranging from Samuel L. Jackson to Oprah Winfrey, from Don Cheadle to Angela Bassett, with narration by Whoopi Goldberg. Since there's obviously no film available from the slave period, the producers use artfully edited photos, file footage, some atmospheric new film, and shots of the performers in action to bring the material to life. Add all of that to the DVD bonus features (text bios of individual slaves and a couple of lengthy audio segments), and you have a moving record of bitter, weary, yet resilient and quietly proud people living with memories that never would, or could, fade. --Sam Graham

Product details

  • Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.33:1
  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 5.75 x 0.35 inches; 3.2 ounces
  • Director ‏ : ‎ Various
  • Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC, Color, Closed-captioned, Dolby, DVD
  • Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 15 minutes
  • Release date ‏ : ‎ January 20, 2004
  • Actors ‏ : ‎ Various
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
  • Studio ‏ : ‎ HBO Video
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00007M5KT
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 84 ratings

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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Steve Vrana
    5.0 out of 5 stars Voice Actors Bring These Stories To Life
    Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    When this HBO documentary was first released in 2003, I had already been using Julius Lester's book "To Be a Slave" for nearly twenty years in my sophomore English classroom. I used that book to provide my students with a deeper understanding of slavery before assigning "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn." Like Lester's book, "Unchained Memories" relies heavily on the Federal Writers Project of the late 1930's when dozens of interviewers sought to collect the stories of thousands of ex-slaves.

    What this 75-minute documentary does is recreate those interviews with actors reciting word for word from those personal slave narratives. Along with period photos and occasional recreated film footage, what you get is a deeply moving look at the most shameful period in our nation's history.

    While I agree with some of the detractors that some of the actors get a bit too much screen time, it's still difficult not to be moved by these first-person accounts. The variety of voice actors used really bring these stories to life. [I was especially pleased to see Courtney B Vance--who was Miss Watson's Jim in the most recent film adaptation of "Huck Finn."]

    In addition, there are a couple of fascinating bonus features. One is a nearly 24-minute taped interview with ex-slave Fountain Hughes at the age of 101. Also of interest, is a 5-minute interview with Yvonne Beatty, who accompanied her father Samuel who was one of the Federal Writers Project interviewers.

    Overall, this documentary makes for compelling viewing. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
    4 people found this helpful
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  • J-NICE
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Quality
    Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The picture quality of the actors who were doing the readings was great! Stills of the slaves were not that clear and maybe the originals weren’t either. I never got to see it when it first aired so I don’t know. I own the book and thought this DVD was a must have. Needless to say, the actors were phenomenal. This DVD left you wanting to see more. I’m hoping there are others. If not, there should be. Thought it was too pricey, but nevertheless, I’m glad to have it. The price you pay for waiting too long to purchase I guess. I strongly encourage you to purchase and by all means, please share with your children.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • michael stuemky
    4.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC documentary, but the video quality could really use a remastering.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The reading selections are wonderful, and the reenactments of these spoken narratives function as a well-conceived, tangible narrative. They give life to the stories of traditionally intentionally repressed experiences and voices of the enslaved. It's a fantastic resource to use in American History classrooms.

    My only complaint is that the video quality is severely lacking at this stage. Being that the documentary was released in the early/mid 2000's, I feel certain that the video was taken on actual film, rather than a digitized camera and format. In that, it seems to me that a remastering and digitizing into modern formats and higher resolution, plus a cleaning up of the audio would be a great investment for a re-release.
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  • MMMTheeOD
    5.0 out of 5 stars Happy to find these at the price!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I purchased several copies for holiday gift-giving... This is an emotionally profound documentary regarding life of former enslaved Americans... I am looking forward to gift them to family and friends... HIGHLY RECOMMEND
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  • A. King
    5.0 out of 5 stars A truly powerful work.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2008
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this for use in my middle school classroom, and am so glad I did. It was so much more powerful than I ever expected. I did not think I could be so affected by what I considered "just more information about slavery". I definitely picked my jaw up off the floor a few times. Having the perspective of actual former slaves, voiced by someone, with actual photos truly made this so touching and educational for myself and my classes, and brought the reality to slavery that nothing I've experienced before was able to. Just amazing.
    (A side note for any teachers looking to use it: I showed this in 2 class periods, using the the majority of the period to watch and a few minutes to discuss. I will do it differently from now on. 10-15 minutes each day, it keeps the kids more interested and increases their anticipation to see and learn more.)
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Musicfishdiva
    5.0 out of 5 stars BUY IT TODAY!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    The most amazing moment is watching the actors as they take on the various characters, as they begin to channel the voice they have been chosen to represent. Most have only a photograph that gives them their only glimps of the person who's words they are about to bring to life. Sometimes the transformation is remarkable. Then there are the stories: Ruby Dee and her husband Ossie Davis playing an old married couple who had two very different veiwpoints of being slaves as he had been a firld slave wheras she had worked in the home of a doctor. This is one of the most remarkable videos I have seen in some time. What makes it even more important is that it is based on the truth. Powerful reminder of our less than stellar human rights past.
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00007M5KT/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title
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  • Richard B
    5.0 out of 5 stars another very good documentary
    Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    As an African-American I am interested in movies about Black history, Black culture, and life during slavery and historical black events.
    As a result I purchased about a dozen DVDs on various subject matter which I am just now getting around to viewing.
    Unchained Memories
    This DVD gave me more insight into living as a slave on a plantation. To experience slavery by those that were actually there is a very powerful eye opener. We all know something about the slave owners and their property of slaves, but to hear it talked about from the mouths of the actual slaves themselves is very powerful.
    I strongly recommend this DVD for those still looking for more insight into slavery way of life and a firsthand account of what went on after the civil war.
    2 people found this helpful
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