The Autobiography of Malcolm X

The Autobiography of Malcolm X is a documentary which aired on The Learning Channel. It is an excellent complement to the book by the same title. Like the book, the video shows the transformation of Malcolm X from a young boy whose family was destroyed by an oppressive racist American society, to a national leader who challenged that very system. The video also chronicles the development of the book co-written by Malcolm X and Alex Haley, revealing the struggles that both men endured during the writing of the book.

Director Lynn Dougherly does an excellent job of blending interviews with key people who either knew Malcolm X and Alex Haley personally or who have studied and written on the life of Malcolm X. Among these people are Malcolm'...