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Trailer

Roots

1977Show1 season8 episodesNR

Drama
76
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb8.4Metacritic–8.1Rotten Tomatoes77%64%

A deeply moving, cathartic drama series about history and family, with standout performances and world-building.

Good for family movie night · friends night · teens

Skip it if you want something to laugh at · you want to half-watch while scrolling

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Not for laughs or scares.

Shows with

Episodes

1 season · 8 episodes · best: S1E1 "Part I" 8.3

Episodes

8.1

Story

The Saga of an American Family.

The epic tale of celebrated Pulitzer-prize winning author Alex Haley's ancestors as portrayed in the acclaimed twelve hour mini-series Roots, was first told in his 1976 bestseller Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The docu-drama covers a period of history that begins in mid-1700s Gambia, West Africa and concludes during post-Civil War United States, over 100 years later. This 1977 miniseries eventually won 9 Emmy awards, a Golden Globe award, and a Peabody award, and still stands as the most watched miniseries in U.S. history.

Feels like

  • Historical Epic
  • Multigenerational Saga
  • Slavery Narrative
  • Emotionally Devastating
  • Cultural Milestone
  • Biographical Drama
  • Educational History
  • Powerful Ensemble Cast
  • Resilience and Survival

Cast

24 of 73 · most episodes first

Crew

Directors
Marvin J. Chomsky, John Erman, David Greene
Written by
James Lee, Alex Haley, William Blinn
Music by
Quincy Jones, Gerald Fried

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

January 23, 1977 · January 30, 1977 · Ended

First aired
January 23, 1977
Last aired
January 30, 1977
Status
Ended
Length
1 season · 8 episodes
Age rating
NR
Content
Violence, Disturbing Imagery, Strong Language
Genres
Drama
Original language
English
Available in
9 countries

Tropes

Genre Deconstruction, But Not Too White, Big Guy Fatality Syndrome +9

  • Genre Deconstruction
  • But Not Too White
  • Big Guy Fatality Syndrome
  • Spared by the Adaptation
  • Time Skip
  • Even Evil Has Standards
  • Famous Ancestor
  • 2 + Torture = 5
  • Named After Somebody Famous
  • No Historical Figures Were Harmed
  • I Die Free
  • "Not So Different" Remark

12 of 89 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

7 questions, like "Where can I stream Roots?"

Questions about Roots

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Roots?

In the United States, you can rent or buy Roots from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. It streams in 1 other country, but not in the United States.

Is Roots worth watching?

76
GreatGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 76 (IMDb 8.4 and Rotten Tomatoes 77%).

Is Roots okay for kids?

NRViolenceDisturbing imageryStrong language

Yes: it's rated NR in the United States for violence, disturbing imagery, and strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for family nights.

How long does it take to watch Roots?

12 h

About 12 hours: 8 episodes in 1 season of about 90 minutes each, aired from 1977 to 1977.

Is Roots plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and pathos (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

Is Roots good for date night?

and 3 moreFamily Movie NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightIntergenerational

It's better for a family night: romance is 6 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for families.

What tropes does Roots use?

Genre DeconstructionBut Not Too WhiteBig Guy Fatality SyndromeSpared by the AdaptationTime SkipEven Evil Has StandardsFamous Ancestor2 + Torture = 5Named After Somebody FamousNo Historical Figures Were HarmedI Die Free"Not So Different" Remarkand 77 more

TV Tropes lists 89 tropes for it, including Genre Deconstruction, But Not Too White, and Big Guy Fatality Syndrome.