Malcolm X begins with a title sequence featuring an American flag being consumed by fire intercut with George Holliday’s iconic videotaped footage of the beating of Los Angeles motorist Rodney King. A voice-over of Denzel Washington as Malcolm X angrily condemns white America: “We don’t see the American dream; we’ve experienced only the American nightmare!” The burning flag eventually becomes the letter “X”.
The film opens in earnest in Boston in the “war years”. Malcolm “Detroit Red” Little, a troubled, small-time criminal and his friend, Shorty (Spike Lee), are walking down a street in gaudy zoot suits. Little also receives a conk from Shorty. They concoct various criminal schemes to make money. Eventually, Little becomes involved with a Harlem gangster named West Indian Archie (Delroy Lindo).
Archie takes Little on as his protégè, but they ultimately have a falling out over money owed Little, who accuses Archie of “slipping” mentally. After a fight, Little flees back to Boston where he is reunited with Little and Shorty target a wealthy white couple and rob their home. However, both are later arrested for the crime and sentenced to eight-to-ten years in prison.
Over the next several years, Malcolm X becomes an increasingly prominent Nation of Islam minister, espousing Islamic principles and the words of Elijah Muhammad, who eventually orders Malcolm to open mosques across the country. He is introduced to Betty X (Angela Bassett). They wed and start a family (four children are portrayed; his twin daughters, in actuality, were born after his death).
He is also reunited with Shorty, who informs him of the whereabouts of their former fellow criminals. West Indian Archie is now living in The Bronx. He is destitute and lives in squalor and has suffered severe physical and mental problems due to his drug use. Malcolm takes pity on Archie and vows to help him.
On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X begins a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan. However, a disturbance in the audience interrupts him. Malcolm tries to calm people, but moments later, he is shot numerous times. His wife and children witness it. Three suspects are captured after trying to escape.
Director: Spike Lee
Year of Release: 1992
Character to watch: Denzel Washington as Malcolm X.
Journal your answers to the following questions after you watch the movie.
- How does this particular character’s journey compare with yours?
- Did the character develop certain characteristics during the movie that you have or that you would like to have? If so, what are those characteristics?
- What obstacles did this character face? What was his or her biggest challenge?
- What would you have done differently if you had been in the same position as the character?
- Is this character the type of person you would be friends with? Why or why not?