Malcolm X

Name: Malcolm X
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Released: November 18, 1992
Duration: 202 min
Rating: 73
Cast: Al Freeman Jr., Albert Hall, Angela Bassett, Delroy Lindo, Denzel Washington

1992

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 77 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 77 Ratings

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Malcolm X

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. | Release Date: November 18, 1992 | PG-13

Starring: Al Freeman Jr., Albert Hall, Angela Bassett, Delroy Lindo, Denzel Washington, Kate Vernon, Lonette McKee, Spike Lee, Theresa Randle, Tommy Hollis

Summary: Often misunderstood, Malcolm X was one of the leading forces of the United States' Civil Rights Movement. He inspired many--and frightened many--but is destined to be remembered as one of the greatest men of his era. This riveting biography directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington in an Academy Award-nominated performanceOften misunderstood, Malcolm X was one of the leading forces of the United States' Civil Rights Movement. He inspired many--and frightened many--but is destined to be remembered as one of the greatest men of his era. This riveting biography directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington in an Academy Award-nominated performance reveals the man at the center of a storm of change. [Warner Bros.]
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Director: Spike Lee

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, History

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 202 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Vincent Canby

Mr. Lee means for Malcolm X to be an epic, and it is in its concerns and its physical scope. In Denzel Washington it also has a fine actor who does for Malcolm X what Ben Kingsley did for “Gandhi.” [18 November 1992]

100

Josh Larsen

Washington has never been better, capturing the greatly varied phases of Malcolm’s personality while always giving us a full sense of a single man: sharp, smart, with a quick smile but also a simmering, righteous anger. Read full review

100

Owen Gleiberman

With Malcolm X, Lee has created a galvanizing political tragedy, the story of a leader who, through his very perception and daring, recognized that death — and only death — would be his final evolution. Read full review

Derek Adams

While the film glides from Malcolm's early years as a hustler and petty criminal to his emergence in the Nation of Islam, it plays surprisingly safe as a solidly crafted trawl through the didactic/hagiographic conventions of the mainstream biopic. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

A mortal movie about an immortal subject and the very fact that it succeeds as well as it does is a testament to Lee's skills as a filmmaker. Read full review

Eric Henderson

With Malcolm X, Lee doesn’t so much inject his sensibilities into the lifeline of his subject, but rather comes to see how his place as a film director can be integrated within the social movement of X’s message. Read full review

Jonathan Rosenbaum

Lee has tried hard to give this shapeless picture some visual patterning though the cluttered effect created by his mistrust of silence is even more harmful than in the past. Read full review

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User Reviews

JPK

Jul 8, 2019

Very Well Done Film
Malcom X is terrifically directed by Spike Lee with an absolutely fantastic performance from Denzel Washington.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Marko

Oct 19, 2006

Denzel Washington 'became' Malcolm X. It is still eerie and brilliant today. The film gives rare insight into Malcolm's 'anger' and life in America in the 40's-60's.

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googolendtimes

Apr 7, 2014

A fascinating illumination of one of American history's most influential, charismatic and complex individuals, "Malcolm X" has a raw, passionate power steeped in Spike Lee's sweeping, evocative direction and the towering performance of Denzel Washington in the lead, who throws himself intoA fascinating illumination of one of American history's most influential, charismatic and complex individuals, "Malcolm X" has a raw, passionate power steeped in Spike Lee's sweeping, evocative direction and the towering performance of Denzel Washington in the lead, who throws himself into the role of Malcolm X so completely it's incomprehensible any other actor could do a better job.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Doehl

Mar 25, 2012

Spike Lee has brought one of the best biopics in american history with a performance from Washington that brings out the angry intensity his controversial character was known for.

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Compi24

Nov 28, 2012

In Spike Lee's epic tale of legendary civil rights leader Malcolm X, he successfully creates one of the most provocative, disturbing, but enlightening biographical dramas I've ever gotten the chance to watch. A film that is not only a way for African-Americans everywhere to rightfullyIn Spike Lee's epic tale of legendary civil rights leader Malcolm X, he successfully creates one of the most provocative, disturbing, but enlightening biographical dramas I've ever gotten the chance to watch. A film that is not only a way for African-Americans everywhere to rightfully embrace their heritage, but a film that gives people of all creeds, races, and ethnicities a chance to realize that we can live in perpetual harmony with one another. The movie is anchored by arguably one of the most moving, dynamic, and emotional biographical performances thus far - Denzel Washington's Malcolm X. Washington gives such a diverse and vivid portrayal of the man. From his troubling days as a misunderstood youth, to his successful moments as a rising voice within the Nation of Islam, to his final days as an enlightened, reformed human being, Washington depicts every moment to a sharp and polished degree. Every technical aspect of the movie is executed to a near perfect degree. Whether it's the camerawork, the lighting, the sets, or the score, Spike Lee successfully manages to use every one of the aforementioned factors to add to the film's thick mood. "Malcolm X" is a drama that is long, yes, but it is necessary for everyone to see. For the rise and fall of this young man is not only complex and tragic, but it's unbelievably inspiring.… Expand

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SeamusS.

Mar 20, 2006

Compelling and mostly entertaining. A good job.

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amheretojudge

Jul 3, 2018

suffering for attaining an uneven and imbalanced state of peace..

Malcolm X 2 And A Half Out Of 5 Malcolm X is a character driven feature that focuses on justifying the characters rather than rechecking the material twice or even a clock for that matter. The journey of the protagonistsuffering for attaining an uneven and imbalanced state of peace..

Malcolm X

2 And A Half Out Of 5

Malcolm X is a character driven feature that focuses on justifying the characters rather than rechecking the material twice or even a clock for that matter. The journey of the protagonist depicted in here is a bit overstretched and not elaborated which comes off as a bit downer but since there is enough concrete material to feed the audience throughout the course of it, one can easily neglect it. It is short on technical aspects like cinematography, background score, art design, sound department and editing although is rich on costume and production design. The writing follows a rudimentary process of a rigid structure that is extracted directly from the textbook, it lacks maturity and smarter approach. The screenplay by Arnold Perl and Spike Lee is effective and creates a greater impact than anticipated among the viewers but unfortunately it also lags a lot. Spike Lee; the screenwriter and director, has done a tremendous work on executing the script on screen and it is undeniably Lee's feature as he speaks volume in every frame. The performance objective is taken hold by Denzel Washington with conviction and he does carry it all on his shoulder with head held high for around 200 minutes. Malcolm X is a process of suffering for attaining an uneven and imbalance state of peace that results in so latter, that the audience barely cares about the outcomes for they are having a time of their life encountering just the process.… Expand

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