THE PLOT THUS FAR
Explore with Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the evolution of the African-American people, as well as the multiplicity of cultural institutions, political strategies, and religious and social perspectives they developed forging their own history, culture and society against unimaginable odds.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross” is a story about two people in Professor Henry Louis Gates’ words. The African people as slaves and then their story as a free people. Professor Gates goes to all ends of America to piece together a history of the African Americans and how they found their new home. Cultural identity and gender politics do get a mention, but this is a documentary that examines the long-term impact of involuntary transference. We have few living examples of this in modern history, so it’s an attempt to delve deeper into material that has only been skimmed.
Professor Gates does an excellent job leading us through six hours of material spread across two discs. While the jump between Episodes 3 and 4 marks a shift for the documentary, it’s handled in a way that isn’t too jarring. That being said, I can see some less informed people taking issue with a few of the points of examination. That being said, never did I feel threatened or lambasted for actions of long dead white Americans. I would love to see the cultural history aspects deployed more in related documentaries rather than the tired hunt for reasons that allowed the slave trade to exist. Still, there’s a lot of work left to be done and Gates leaves the door open for future examination.
The DVD comes with no special features. The A/V Quality is strong with a supportive transfer and a Dolby audio track. The Dolby track doesn’t get much back channel action. In the end, I’d recommend a purchase to fans of African American history.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!
