Lithium Magazine

Warner Bros. Studios
Directed By: Spike Lee

By Alex Young

There are rare moments in time where popular film transcends being a piece of entertainment and truly becomes a work of art. It is even more uncommon for a mainstream American director in Hollywood to strive to create something that reaches a level of insight that seems impossible and succeeds admirably. For audiences that were only familiar with Spike Lee through his audacious debut with “Do the Right Thing”, nothing could prepare them for a juggernaut of a film such as “Malcolm X”.

“Malcolm X” is based on the autobiography of the legendary icon as told to Alex Hayley. Hayley made a name for himself through his incredibly bold book “Roots: The Story of an American Family” containing a story that encompasses centuries beginning with African tribesman being forced into America as slaves. Lee masterfully adapts the source material that he selected for the film by travelling through time to tell every chapter of Malcolm’s life, from the 1940’s until his death. Although the film clocks in at a little over three hours, it takes audiences on an epic journey across history through the eyes of one of the world’s most recognized humanitarian icons.

The film begins in Boston when Malcolm was recognized as a street hustler named Red, who fancied cocaine, nightclubs, white women, and life in the fast lane. After a life of crime, Malcolm is thrown in prison where he discovers the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and a new way of life through the guidance provided when he was morally destitute. When Malcolm returned to American society, he began his life as a political activist and spiritual leader within his community by speaking to the rights of blacks in a way that had never been heard before. From there the film accompanies Malcolm on his pilgrimage to Mecca, his life with his wife and daughters, his connection to his community, his fickle relationship with the media, and his own ideas about himself.

There’s an in-depth featurette on the making of the film entitled “By Any Means Necessary” featuring interviews with the cast, the crew, Spike Lee, Martin Scorcese, and many more as they discuss the impact of the film. The bonus disc contains a full-length documentary on Malcolm X containing news footage, clips from his public speaking ceremonies and interviews in the press. The case for this package also contains a forty-page booklet on the making of the film, the inspiration behind it, and how the film was made.

The film serves as a prime example of when an artist’s passion for a project dissolves their ego to allow them as well as their collaborators to create something astounding, ambitious, and overwhelming. “Malcolm X” has been a cultural landmark in a vividly visceral film experience, very humanizing and defiantly inspirational since its release, and will be for decades to come.