All language subtitles for Roots (1977) 1080p H.264 EP 1 (moviesbyrizzo upload).en

[theme music]

(male narrator)
Tonight we present a landmark

in television entertainment.

"Roots," the true story

Alex Haley uncovered
in his 12 years search

across the seven generations
of his ancestry.

After two years of production

we present this incredible saga
in an epic motion picture.

"Roots", the current
number one best-selling novel

is the television event
of the year.

From primitive Africa
to the old South.

Sold.

"Roots" sweeps across

the panorama of a young America

bursting with all the dreams

all the joys
and all the hardships

of a vibrant country
and its people

through the years of slavery..

(male #1)
Get back there.

Mama! Mama!

...the Civil War..

Are we gonna whoop them Yankees?

...Reconstruction..

You're free!

...and the struggle to survive.

(Evan)
We want you, nigger!

A film spanning
more than a hundred years

generation to generation

continent to continent

slavery to freedom.

(Chicken)
Hear me, oh, African, the flesh

of your flesh
has come to freedom.

We..

...are free.

"Roots," starring Ben Vereen

Edward Asner, Lorne Greene

Cicely Tyson, O.J. Simpson

Lynda Day George,
Chuck Connors

John Amos, Leslie Uggams

Lloyd Bridges, Burl Ives

Louis Gossett, Jr.,
Vic Morrow

Georg Stanford Brown,
Ralph Waite.

And introducing
LeVar Burton as Kunta Kinte.

Now we are proud to present

the triumph
of an American family.

"Roots."

[singing in foreign language]

[Binta screaming]

[chicken clucking]

[Binta groaning]

[woman humming]

[Binta screaming]

[screaming continues]

[humming continues]

[Binta grunting]

[grunting]

[screams]

[panting]

[screaming]

[grunts]

[grunting]

[panting]

[gasping]

[grunting]

[screaming]

Omoro! Omoro!

[baby crying]

[crying continues]

We have a very strong son.

Being born is hard work.

We will give him
a very good life.

We've given him life, Binta.

Good or not good

that is for Allah to say.

[baby crying]

Ah-huh-huh, look at the baby.

- 'Aw.'
- 'Aw.'

- What do you call him?
- We call him baby boy.

And we will go on
calling him that

until his father
decides on a name for him

eight days from today.

[crying]

[laughter]

Peace be unto you.

And unto you, brother.

Brima Cesay, you are
the most important man

in the village, eh?

Yes. That is true.

Well, tell me which is best?

You know about these things.

Should a child be named
after a person or a thing?

(Brima)
Omoro, there are no rules.

Whether it is a person or
a thing, the child will take on

seven of the characteristics
of that name.

A person or a thing?

It shall be for you to choose.

I hope, Brima Cesay, that
a man of your great learning

will not be, uh,
offended if I say that

you've helped me
a very small amount.

Omoro, tell me this

do you believe your wife
Binta's been faithful to you?

Binta?

[laughing]
Bin.. Why, yes. I know she has.

You're actually the father
of the child born to Binta?

Yes.

If the child is truly yours

then so is the problem.

I have lessons I must teach.

[instrumental music]

[singing in foreign language]

[baby cackling]

[intense music]

Kunta Kinte.

Behold..

...the only thing
greater than yourself.

[singing in foreign language]

[instrumental music]

Now, three years at
the helm of the Mary Rose.

Very impressive,
Captain Davies, very impressive.

Thank you, Mr. Vilars.

May I ask why
you left the Mary Rose?

The vessel was sold
to another owner

and that owner refused
to honor my contract, so I left.

As simple as that?

Either a man keeps his word
to me or he does not.

The owners of
the Mary Rose did not.

There was nothing further
to discuss.

Well, captain,
your credentials are fine ones.

The best I've seen.

Good enough to lay
any doubts to rest.

Captain Davies,
your vessel, sir.

- The Lord Ligonier?
- 'The same.'

'She'll be seaworthy
by the end of the month.'

(Davies)
'And her cargo will be?'

Uh, tobacco from here
to the mother country

hardware of various sorts

from England
to the Gambian coast

'there to pick up
any available spices.'

Uh, what need
of the hardware, may I ask?

Captain, our main cargo
will consist of slaves.

'We'll be taking on slaves.'

[dramatic music]

I see.

Welcome aboard.

[music continues]

[indistinct chatter]

Kunta Kinte, Kunta Kinte!

There is still
much food in your bowl.

- Come finish it.
- Ah, but, mother, I'm all--

No, you are not. Come finish it.

[instrumental music]

Yes, mother.

How does the she-goat
look to you, Kunta?

Mm. Her belly grows every day.

She'll have the kid
soon, I think.

'Before the next moon.'

'Maybe twins.'

If she dropped twins,
you would find some way

'to take the credit.'

My breakfast bowl is empty now.

- There are goats to be fed.
- Yes, mother!

- 'Take care.'
- Yes, father. I will.

He does a good job
with our goats, you know.

I know.

You might tell him so.

He tells himself often enough.

He is fifteen rains, Binta.

And all boys of fifteen rains

have a partnership
with impatience.

'That will pass.'

As quickly as yours
passed, Omoro?

[laughing]

[goats bleating]

(Kaiguba)
'Kunta, it is so.'

I know it is absolutely so.

If you know, then how are we

taken to manhood training?

A boy has a hood
placed over his head.

Then he is taken away
to the secret place of manhood.

When he returns he knows all
the things that men must know.

And his foto
is like that of a man's.

His foto?

[intense music]

The foto of a man and the foto
of a child are not the same

'you know that.'

But do you know how this
difference gets done?

There is cutting and blood.

[leopard snarling]

[goat bleating]

The she-goat.

(Kaiguba)
'Kunta, come back!'

[intense music]

[growls]

[grunts]

Hyah!

'Hyah!'

Hyah! Hyah!

[melancholic music]

(Kaiguba)
'Can I help?'

I must do it.

[birds chirping]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Father..

(Omoro)
'The she-goat?'

Yes, father.
There was a leopard.

You're not harmed?

No, I drove it off, but..

Drove it off?
How, how did you drive it off?

'All you have is a slingshot.'

That's what I used.

There is much
you have to learn, Kunta!

Yes, my father.

Well, the first thing
you must learn

is that all men make mistakes.

I lost a goat to a lion
when I was your age.

'This I received
from the lion'

'and I learned.'

'Now you must learn
from this thing'

that's happened to you.

Never run towards
any dangerous animal.

Never!

'Do you understand me?'

- Yes, father.
- 'You said?'

Yes, father!

Good.

Then that is all
that needs to be said

on this matter
between you and me, eh?

'Don't forget to bring
firewood to your mother.'

No, father..

...I will not forget.

[horse whinnies]

We took on two hundred and fifty
pair of wrist shackles.

Two hundred
and fifty. Yes, go on.

Same number of neck rings, sir.

Two hundred
and fifty neck rings.

Chains and shackles
to outfit properly.

- Yes.
- Two dozen thumbscrews.

- Thumbscrews?
- Aye, sir.

Are those necessary, Mr. Slater?

(Slater)
'They've an advantage
to 'em, sir.'

If you're lookin'
to punish a nigger

especially a young nigger bitch

that's one way of doin' it
without marrin' the skin

and knockin' down
the purchase price.

Mr. Slater,
have you ever seen a thumb

that's been subjected
to a thumbscrew?

Oh, yes, sir. Many a time.

But, you see, captain

a comely nigger bitch
is rarely purchased

for the way her thumbs look.

(Davies)
'Thumbscrews, two dozen.'

Last item, two branding irons
marked double L

'for the Lord Ligonier.'

Aye, captain. Necessary.

'Weigh anchor
tomorrow, captain?'

No.

We'll stay dockside
for two more days.

I've always preferred
to set sail on the Sabbath.

Seems the Christian thing to do.

Aye, captain. Whatever you say.

Thank you, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Slater.

[clatters]

[intense music]

(Kunta)
'Mother, do you know
what Sitafa said today?'

(Binta)
How would I know?

He said that some of the boys

have heard the sound of axes

and hammers in the woods.

He said some think
it's the white toubab

but do you know what I think?

I do not.

I think there is work being done

in the secret place
where boys are taken

for manhood training,
that's what I think.

That's possible.

Do you think I'm right?

Kunta, women do not
know of such things.

I do not believe women should
even be speaking of such things.

Kunta, Kunta.

You have been a very good boy.

I want you to know that.

A very good boy.

[dramatic music]

[muffled screaming]

(Kunta)
What?

[instrumental music]

Our boy has just left.

A man will return.

Don't fight, boy,
come on. This way.

You must go.

[instrumental music]

No talking.

'Quiet!'

'Go.'

Move along now.

[whines]

[indistinct]

[music continues]

[whining]

[birds chirping]

Alright.

Yes, come, come.

Keep in line, keep in line.

Come.

[indistinct chatter]

[music continues]

[shouting indistinctly]

Quiet. Come.

Come on, move up.
Face this way.

- 'Move along.'
- 'Stop!'

Here.

Here.

Here.

Here.

(male #2)
'Hoods off!'

[music continues]

I am the Kintango.

Kintango!

As children must be careful
not to anger their fathers

you will be careful
not to anger the Kintango.

'As dry grass does not
challenge the fire'

'you will never
challenge the Kintango.'

You will do everything
I tell you to do.

You will do it
when I tell you

and for as long
as I tell you to do it.

I am the Kintango.

Children left Juffure Village..

...if men are to return.

You must arrest your fears

for a fearful person
is a weak person..

...and a weak person
is a danger to his family

to his village
and to his tribe.

If any are unable
to become men

you will be treated
forever as children

'by your families,
by all in the village.'

You will never
be allowed to marry

for the offspring of such
a marriage will be weak

and unworthy of our people.

I will not permit you
to be unworthy.

I think he's trying
to make us afraid.

They do not
have to try anymore.

I am not afraid.

(Kintango)
'What is your name?'

Kunta Kinte.

Kunta Kinte.

Yes, sir.

Sit!

Sit, sit.

Sit, sit!

Sit!

Who can tell me
if there was a tribal war

and the men of the Mandinka
had the enemy

surrounded on three sides

what should be
the next thing done?

Men of the Mandinka
will enclose the circle

and surround the enemy.

No!

The goal of war
is not to kill

the goal of war
is to win.

'By surrounding the enemy'

'you would force him only
to fight more desperately.'

'If you surround
him on three sides'

'and leave him an escape route'

'he will leave your land'

'and there will be less blood
spilled on both sides.'

For a warrior
of the Mandinka

courage is not enough.

But, sir, won't an enemy
who escapes alive

fight you again?

It is impossible
to kill an enemy.

You may end a man's life.

but his son
is now your new enemy.

A warrior respects
another warrior

even when he is his enemy.

A warrior kills only
to protect his family

or to keep
from becoming a slave.

We believe not in death,
but in life..

...and there is no object
more valuable

than a man's life.

'The way of the Mandinka
is not easy..'

'...but it is best.'

[waves breaking]

[wood creaking]

[footsteps approaching]

[wood creaks]

Everything alright, sir?

Yes, Mr. Slater.

Everything seems fine.

I was just checking to see

if all is in readiness
down here.

- Everything's ready, sir.
- Ah.

Make no mistake
about that.

How many men do you estimate
we'll be able to fit in here?

Begging the captain's pardon,
sir..

...we'll be takin' on
women as well as men.

You see, women take up
less space than the bucks.

What you have to estimate
in the plannin' of it all

is how many women
as well as how many men.

There's a certain mix
that's the most efficient

and profitable,
you see, sir.

How many, Mr. Slater?

A hundred and seventy,
more or less, sir.

Yes, sir. Thank you.

Tell me, Mr. Slater..

...how many voyages
like this one

have you made?

Oh, my, sir,
that's a poser now.

I'd say...18.

Eighteen!

[chuckles]

That's 17 more
than I have made.

So I'd be willing to admit,
Mr. Slater, that below decks

let's say
you're the expert.

That's very kind of you,
captain.

What are they like?

The blacks?

Just a different
kinda breed, sir.

You know, like a man
that'd breed a dog for huntin'

and breed another sort of dog

for his wife and children
to play with.

Black breed's kinda slow
at thinkin', but strong.

They're suited
to be slaves, sir.

Just as you're suited to be
commander of this here vessel.

The natural order of things,
you might say.

Yes.

Yes, I-I could understand that,
I suppose.

Myself, I think
it's good for them

'us takin' 'em like that.'

'They're the better off
for it, sir.'

I'm not quite sure I understand
that part, Mr. Slater.

Well, for one thing,
there's Christianity, sir.

'We're bringin' 'em
to a Christian land.'

'It's got to be better for them
than that heathen Allah'

'they got with them now.'

That's the first thing,
second thing is

we're probably savin' them

from being eaten
by their own kind.

They do that, sir, you know.

Cannibals, all of them.

Well..

...as I said before,
Mr. Slater..

...below decks,
you're the expert.

(Slater)
'I'll get us there
and home again.'

'Can't ask no more
than that, sir.'

I'll keep as many alive
as can be kept alive.

[dramatic music]

Well, then..

...we'll both be doing
our job, Mr. Slater.

And surely that's
as it should be.

Aye, aye, captain.
You leave the cargo to me.

I speak their language,
you might say.

Their language?

In a manner of speakin',
sir.

They have no proper language,
no need of it.

'Just grunts and groans.'

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[birds chirping]

The ability to wrestle
with skill is the ability

to uphold the honor
of your village.

It is a test of strength.

The stronger you are

the more honor
to your people.

You can learn to shoot a bow
by watching.

You can learn to track
in the forest

by hearing the words
of great hunters.

There in only one way
to learn to wrestle..

...and that is to do it.

'Who will be first?!'

'Kunta Kinte.'

Very well.

Hey!

[grunting]

[grunting]

[panting]

Who will be next?

[instrumental music]

[yells]

[grunting]

And now,
who will be next?

[groans]

[sighing]

[all groaning]

I don't think I'm strong
or brave enough to be a man.

Oh, we're all strong enough.

We will all be men.

You will see.

Kunta Kinte!

[bird cawing]

[birds chirping]

Kunta Kinte,
a panther has courage

so does a warthog.

'Which kind of courage
should a man have?'

The best kind.

If it is for certain
that you are not yet a man

and that is for certain

then it is even more certain
that you are not a philosopher.

'"The best kind"
is not an answer, Kunta Kinte.'

Well, uh,
a warthog's courage, then.

(Wrestler)
'Why?'

Well, a warthog never retreats,
he never gives up.

And all the hunters admire
that warthog's courage.

That's right.

They all say what a brave animal
that warthog is.

(Kunta)
'That's right.'

And all the hunters usually
end up killing that warthog.

They all usually end up
eating that brave warthog.

You think I should have given up
today when we were wrestling?

We were not wrestling.

I was wrestling.

You were charging
and flying and landing.

You were the warthog,
Kunta Kinte.

Thank you for teaching me
these things.

- You may go.
- Thank you.

You have already thanked me.

Oh, yes, sir.

Kunta Kinte.

I can teach you
many things

but I cannot teach you courage.

Not even a warthog's courage.

That is something you will take
with you wherever you go.

- What did he say?
- Huh?

Oh, he just wanted me
to tell him

a few things
about wrestling.

Hey! Ho! Hey, wait!

[all laughing]

(Grimes)
'Land ho!'

(Slater)
'Where away?'

(Grimes)
'Three points
off the port bow, sir!'

Congratulations, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Slater.

Africa.

[monkey chirps]

(Kintango)
Kunta Kinte..

...here is your task.

You are to leave this camp

and catch a bird.

Not kill the bird,
mind you..

...but catch it

and return with it
alive and well.

[bird chirps]

[instrumental music]

[clucking]

[dramatic music]

[bird cawing]

[girl screams]

[grunts]

Hey!
Ow! Wait, wait!

- 'Father!'
- I didn't mean it!

[screams]
Hey, listen!

- Father!
- I must capture the bird!

(Fanta)
'Father!'

[upbeat music]

But, sir,
I am a Mandinka warrior.

Oh, I no think
you Mandinka warrior. Not yet.

Well, I'm in manhood training
to become a Mandinka warrior

and I've been assigned to..

You were assigned
to speak to your elders

without first giving your name?

No, I am Kunta Kinte,
a Mandinka

from the village of Juffure.

Oh, peace to you, Kunta.
I am Kadi Touray.

I am traveling with my family
to the village of Kerawong.

- Is it far?
- Kadi Touray!

I have been assigned
by my Kintango

to catch a bird without
the use of a weapon and there..

Ah, and to knock over
my midday meal

and not bother
to put it back

or apologize
to my daughter?

No, I-I have been
assigned to..

Kunta Kinte,
my daughter Fanta.

- Peace to you, Fanta.
- Peace to you, Kunta Kinte.

My daughter Fanta, that you
were going to apologize to.

I apologize for not apologizing
louder when you were hitting me!

And it's one day
to Kerawong.

Peace to you, Fanta.

Peace to you always,
Kunta Kinte.

Peace to you, Mandinka warrior.

I hope you catch your bird!

[chirps]

[bird shrieks]

(Slater)
'Keep moving then.'

[prisoner groans]

[screams]

Come on, move! Move!

[dramatic music]

[groaning]

[grunts]

[men breathing heavily]

'Come on, move!
Move it!'

'Move it!'

[bird screeching]

[gunshot]

[wings fluttering]

Damn it!

[instrumental music]

[percussive music]

[panting]

Kunta Kinte, are you
to be a child forever?

'Were you not sent
to catch a bird?'

'Did you forget
the instructions given you?'

I did not forget.

Then you decided
it would be better

to disobey
those instructions and--

I saw white men.

[Kunta panting]

What did you say?

I said, I saw white men.

[breathing heavily]

(Gardner)
'Slater!'

'It's close on six months.
How are you?'

Six months older,
not a bit wiser, Mr. Gardner.

Like you to meet
Captain Davies.

Captain Davies, sir,
this here's Mr. Gardner.

Did you bring any rum?

Yes.

Fine, let's talk.

Toast to your health,
Captain Davies.

A welcome to Africa,
you understand.

Thank you, Mr. Gardner.
Very kind of you.

Now then, captain.

Can you give me some idea
as to how many blacks

your vessel will hold?

One hundred and seventy,
Mr. Gardner.

[coughs]

A hundred and seventy.

You people seem to think
this is the easiest thing

in the world to do.

Well, it ain't.

'There's ships slavin'
all up and down this coast.'

Competition the likes of which
you ain't never seen.

'If I can't capture
enough blacks'

I gotta buy them
from their own chiefs

and they bring a tidy sum
per head these days.

Mr. Gardner, I have neither
the time nor the temperament

to sit here through
your price raising maneuvers.

'Monies will be discussed
at a later date.'

The question now is
can you capture or buy

one hundred and seventy
healthy blacks

and deliver them to the hold
of the Lord Ligonier?

[scoffs]

I'll capture some,
I'll buy some.

I'll fill your hold.
I'll deliver.

(Brima)
'For the rest of your lives'

'even when you have
come to be men'

'you must be on guard
against the white toubab'

'and the black traitors
who help them.'

'These things I'm going
to tell you now'

'you must hear
with more than your ears'

'for not to do as I say
can mean your being stolen away'

'to a place outside our world'

'outside of us forever.'

Never be alone
when you can help it.

Never be out at night
when you can help it.

And day or night,
if you are alone

keep away from
any high weeds or bushes.

And if ever you see much smoke
away from any village

it is probably
the white man's cooking fires

which are always too big.

'And remember, when you are
close to where he has been'

'his scent remains in the air.'

'It is a smell
like a wet chicken.'

And most importantly,
remember that

Kunta Kinte saw the white man

less than two days walk

from where we are now.

The white man...is here.

(Kintango)
'There now remains but one more
test on the path to manhood.'

It has to do
with your fotos.

'You have seen
that the foto of a man'

'and the foto of a child
are not the same.'

'This difference
will be brought about'

'in our traditional way
by cutting.'

Hold out your fotos!

[instrumental music]

'This paste will soon
take away the feeling'

and there will be less pain
when the time comes.

[chanting in foreign language]

(Kintango)
'This thing to be done..'

'...also was done to us.'

'As to the forefathers
before us..'

'...so that you will
also become'

'all of us men together.'

[chanting continues]

'You will soon return as men'

to your homes
and to your farms.

And in time
you will marry..

'...and life everlasting
will spring from your loins.'

[dramatic music]

Which of you
will speak to be first?

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[singing in foreign language]

[music continues]

[singing continues]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[girls laughing]

I have your things
all packed for you.

You are a man now

and a man must have
his own hut.

You cannot stay with us
anymore, you know that.

Of course, I know that.

Yes. Your things are inside.

Here is your spoon

and your bowl and cup

as well as your sleeping mat.

Ah, sleeping mat.

Now that there is plenty of room
in this corner

I will have your father
build a shelf

where I can store
my sewing needles and threads

'so that your little brother
will not lose'

what I need to keep
and..

Your father has built
a hut for you.

It is next to that
of Brima Cesay.

I will find it.

(Binta)
'And you will
thank your father.'

A woman should not tell
a man what to do.

Excuse me.

Here are your things.

Thank you.

[singing in foreign language]

[percussive music]

[laughing]

[percussive music]

(Kunta)
'Grandmother, peace unto you!
What are you doing?'

Wait! Stop it! Stop it!

Warrior! Hunter!
I'll teach you!

You were a dirty-bottomed baby
when I first saw you.

'And when you forget that'

'I'll come
and remind you again!'

You can grow
as tall as a tree

and I will still be
your grandmother!

And you will still
respect me.

Do you hear me?

I hear you, grandmother.

And do you understand that

you do not know everything

cannot do everything

and that Allah is still
considered greater than you?

I understand that, yes.

Hmm. That's good.

But now that you are a man

what will you do?

Sit under that tree
with the other men

and make important decisions,
is that it?

I do not yet know.

Well, while you are waiting
to see what your mind tells you

I believe
there is some good thing

you can do
for your mother.

'There were tears when you were
away at manhood training.'

'Well, there was sadness,
Kunta.'

Well, she mentioned
the building of a shelf

but she said she would ask
my father to do that.

What about Lamin,
your baby brother?

Is there something
that you can give to him?

A gift for him
would touch your mother as well.

Do you think
he would like a drum?

[chuckles]
Oh, I know he would.

Good. Then I'll make a drum
for my brother.

Tomorrow I will hunt
for a log to make such a drum.

[monkey chattering]

[birds chirping]

[chirps]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[cackling]

[panting]

[percussive music]

[music continues]

[intense music]

[grunts]

[screaming]

[screaming continues]

[screaming]

[screaming continues]

[music continues]

[screaming]

[instrumental music]

[birds squawking]

[whip cracking]

Again!

[yells]

[indistinct yell]

You get back in line!

'Get in there!
Get in there!'

Hurry! Hurry!

Go, go, go!

Move!

'Go, move!'

'Come on!'

[indistinct chatter]

'Move.'

Put the irons in that fire.

'Come on. Get up!'

(male #3)
'Come on, hey!'

[indistinct chattering]

[groaning]

[coughing]

[indistinct yelling]

[Kunta grunts]

[birds squawking]

[waves breaking]

[woman groaning]

(male #4)
'Hey, boys,
give me a hand over here!'

A week or two more
should do it, sir

'unless you wanna wait
and carry an even 200.'

I expressed my wish, Mr. Slater.

Aye, that you did, sir.

It's all a matter of philosophy.

- Philosophy?
- 'Aye, sir.'

It's a question
of loose pack or tight pack.

Now, if we was using tight pack

we'd pack 'em in
layin' on their sides..

...like they were silver spoons,
you might say.

'That way we get 14 inch
shelf space to a nigger'

'and we can carry 200 of 'em.'

And, um..

...how many will we have
left alive by your reckoning?

That's hard to say, sir.

More of 'em die off.

But then again,
we start with more, sir.

Ah.

Well, it's my responsibility,
Mr. Slater.

One hundred and seventy
will be enough.

Aye, sir. There's them
that would agree with you.

Loose pack has its point.

Better chance of bringing more
through the passage.

[indistinct yelling]

Mr. Slater.

Is there another
cask of rum about?

(Slater)
'Aye, sir.
I'm sure there is.'

'I'll see to it right now.'

I was under the impression
you didn't drink, sir.

There are a number of things
I've done

in connection with this voyage,
Mr. Slater

that I'd never done before.

[groaning]

[man groaning]

Kunta Kinte.

[instrumental music]

[groaning]

[bird cawing]

Omoro!

[bird squawking]

[intense music]

(Omoro)
My son.

Kunta-a-a!

[indistinct yelling]

(male #1)
'Come on, keep 'em in line!
Let's go!'

(male #2)
'You heard him, you heard him.
Let's go!'

'Move, move!'

[man groaning]

Come on, move!

Hey there, move it, move!

[groaning]

(male #1)
'Bring 'em all over here!'

Step along now.
Step along!

Come on, in you go.
In you go.

Come here, come on.

[groaning]

Alright, lock it up!

[groaning]

'Get back, get back!'

Kunta Kinte?

Your family?

[groans]

My family is well.
I know they are.

Your family is well?

They'll be coming after us.

I know they will be.

You were the only one taken?

It was night time.

But I'm sure
my father fought them off!

You saw my father.

He's a very great man!

'A very great warrior!'

Were there many
who raided your camp?

'Yes.'

Did you hear
your father cry out?

Did he call your name?

Or did he just cry out?

He just cried out.

[sobs]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[indistinct chattering]

You still have two sons, Binta.

'But now one is forever
outside your embrace.'

Forever..

...outside of us all.

[wailing]

♪ Haul on the bowline ♪

♪ Our good ship
she's a-rollin' ♪

♪ Haul on the bowline ♪

♪ The bowline haul ♪

♪ Haul on the bowline.. ♪

(Slater)
'Whaler, set the topsail!'

- 'Aye, sir!'
- Hands to the braces!

Answer me!

- 'Answer me!'
- Aye, sir!

Topsail secure!

♪ Haul on the bowline ♪

♪ The bowline haul ♪

[laughs]

♪ Before the day was dawnin' ♪

♪ Haul on the bowline ♪

♪ The bowline haul.. ♪

Belay the starboard sheet!

♪ The fore and maintop bowline ♪

♪ Haul on the bowline ♪

♪ The bowline haul ♪

♪ We'll haul on the bowline ♪

♪ The cook he is a-growlin' ♪

♪ Haul on the bowline ♪

♪ The bowline haul ♪

♪ Haul on the bowline ♪

[woman coughing]

♪ Haul on the bowline ♪

♪ The bowline haul ♪♪

[groaning]

[coughing]

[groaning]

[man wailing]

[screaming]

[man wailing]

Kunta?

Kunta Kinte?

Wrestler?

Will they come after us,
our warriors?

No. We're too far away.

The canoe house has travelled
for three days now.

Our warriors will follow!

There is no trail in the water.

No trail to follow.

Then we are alone?

Oh, there are other
Mandinka men.

I heard a shout,
but I don't know--

[groaning]

'Kunta.'

Kunta Kinte!

Kunta, listen to me!

Listen to me!

There are other tribes.
I've heard their words.

The Wolof, the Fulani

the Serere,
and some I do not know.

'We're not alone.'

Wrestler..

...when the big canoe moved,
my stomach came up

into my mouth and spilled!

I am ashamed!

Do not be ashamed.
It happened to me.

Yeah.

Now when my stomach comes up

there is nothing.

Only bitter spit!

Wrestler, I am a man!

A warrior!

Kunta..

...we have been chained
in the white man's canoe house

for many days now.

Allah see.

He understand.

'He knows you are a man.'

'He know!'

[man groaning]

[man coughing]

[bell ringing]

Eight day of July,
year of our Lord, 1767.

Three thousand two hundred
and sixty-five elephant teeth.

Three thousand seven hundred
pounds of beeswax.

Eight hundred pounds cotton

thirty ounces of gold

one hundred forty Negros--

One thirty eight, sir.

How is that, Mr. Slater?

There was Ed Buck that went over
the side during the boarding.

If the black was not loaded,
why was he on the manifest?

It is a custom, sir.

The seller takes the risk

till the merchandise
is delivered to the beach.

Then it's on our books.

And the other?

Found him dead in the dogwatch.

God save us.
Only eight days at sea.

Is there anything else
Mr. Slater?

Aye, sir.

It's time to get 'em above
hatches and dance 'em, sir.

'Got to have exercise,
keep 'em in condition.'

Gives us a chance
to muck out the hold.

The stench of 'em, sir.

A bile puking smell down there.

'Besides, we can cull out them
what ain't worth feeding--'

Yes, yes, yes!

And look over the wenches.

[indistinct singing]

I'm a Christian man
and I command

a Christian ship!

Aye, captain--

I will not lead any man
into sin!

Sin?

Fornication.

Begging your pardon, captain.

You ain't never sailed
a slavin' ship before.

What are you getting at?

Captain, you gotta
give the men their ease

when they're off duty.

Don't hurt the cargo none.

Point of fact,
it's good for 'em.

[singing continues]

And this is how we bring
heathen souls to Christ.

Captain sir, if I was you,
with all respect..

...I'd leave Christ's Gospel to
private prayer and meditation.

'Oh, and Sunday meetings,
of course.'

Very well, Mr. Slater,
that will be all.

Aye, aye, captain.

You won't be wanting
the belly-warmer then?

That will be all, Mr. Slater!

Aye, aye, captain.

[groaning]

[coughing]

[groaning]

Allah.

Allah, the merciful.

Allah, th..

...the all-powerful.

A-Allah, the compassionate.

Please..

...hear my prayers.

Allah..

Allah, please..

[footsteps approaching]

[door creaking]

Look alive! Look alive!

Lay above deck!

[man groaning]

[woman groaning]

[indistinct yelling]

[metal chain clanking]

[indistinct yelling]

[indistinct yelling]

What is it?

I do not know.

If they let me out of here..

...I'll jump off
this canoe house

and swim to the riverbank!

[indistinct yelling]

Hurry!

[groaning]

[coughing]

Come on, come on, let's go!
Move, move, move!

[groaning]

'Come on, get out of there!'

'Move, you monkeys!'

There's no riverbank.

Wrestler, where's the riverbank?

Where's the Earth?

The Earth is gone!

Hurry along. Come on, boy!

Come on over here!

I don't blame you
standing windward, sir.

They stink something fierce!

First batch on deck, sir.

Don't you wanna look 'em over?

I do not.

Appear a likely cargo, sir.

We'll lose some
to the bloody flux.

- Mr. Slater.
- Aye, sir?

Let's get them cleaned, please.

Aye, sir.
I believe in clean cargo.

Cleanliness is
next to godliness.

It pays off in pounds,
shillings and pence.

- Mr. Slater!
- 'Aye, sir?'

'On your feet!'

'Come on, you dirty heathens.
Move it!'

'Let's go!'

Carry on with your duties.

Aye, sir.

Heave away, boatswain!

[screaming]

[screaming]

Get those wenches
up and forward!

'Answer me!'

[women screaming]

Get 'em up and dancing!
Damn your eyes!

[instrumental music]

I want 'em well danced!

[instrumental music]

I want them exercised!

'Ju-ump!'

'Ju-u-ump!'

Get 'em up!

[music continues]

[music continues]

- Come on, move it!
- All of you, now!

- Keep jumping.
- Higher, higher!

[indistinct yelling]

[instrumental music]

[chanting in foreign language]

[chanting in foreign language]

What is it that they're
saying there, Mr. Slater?

How would a white man
know that, sir?

'African mumbo jumbo is what
it is, more than likely.'

No, Mr. Slater,
I don't understand

a syllable of their language.

But I believe I can guess

what they're saying down there.

What might that be, sir?

They're telling us
to sleep lightly, Mr. Slater.

But then I've not slept well

since this voyage began.

I know the wherefore of that,
I believe, sir.

Possibly, Mr. Slater.
Possibly you do.

[chanting in foreign language]

[chanting continues]

[chanting in foreign language]

[creaking]

[dramatic music]

[intense music]

[music continues]

'Hold it, you ape,
you'll get some.'

[indistinct yelling]

Kunta.

Kunta?

'Kunta Kinte?'

You do not eat?

When I eat the white man food,
my stomach comes up.

So does mine.
But eat the food, Kunta.

Listen to me. Listen carefully.

You are a warrior.

And a warrior must eat

because he must be strong

to kill his enemy.

So eat the white man's food.

Live, Kunta.

Live and be strong!

Be strong to kill the white man!

[speaking in foreign language]

[indistinct mumbling]

[man groaning]

[screaming]

[man coughing]

'Hey, Tom,
we got a dead one over here!'

- 'Another one?'
- 'Yeah.'

'Yeah, he's dead, alright.'

'Haul him out.'

[man groaning]

[wood creaking]

Mr. Slater!

[instrumental music]

[mumbles]

[grunting]

There goes a hundred guineas
to the sharks.

(Davies)
'Dearest Elizabeth..'

If only..

...you could..

...know..

...how much I regret
having taken this command.

Not only because it forces me

to be apart from you
and the children..

...but because it..

[creaking]

[knock on door]

- Yes, who is it?
- 'Mr. Slater, sir.'

(Slater)
'Come with something
for your chill.'

Come in, Mr. Slater.

[door opens]

Here you are, captain.

[woman sobbing]

Mr. Slater..

...I've told you my views
on fornication.

Yes, sir, you did. Right enough.

Just brought her
as a belly-warmer, sir.

'Little flesh
to take the chill'

off them cold sheets.

Didn't figure
it'd be any problem

for a highborn, Christian

white man like you, sir.

I'll be by to fetch her
in the morning, captain.

Sleep well.

[door shuts]

[dramatic music]

I do not approve of fornication.

My name is Thomas.

'It's my Christian name.'

Well, now..

What should I call you?

Of course.

You don't understand
anything I say, do you?

Oh.

Merciful heaven!

(Wrestler)
'Kunta.'

'Kunta?'

Wrestler, I was dreaming.

I dreamed I was hunting.

Running faster than I ever
ran before, spear in my hand.

Kunta, listen to me--

I was hunting
a great, huge bird

whose wings stretched from
one river bank to the other.

It turned and flew towards me..

...and I saw it was all white.

'All white.'

Its great flapping wings
swallowed me up.

And choked me.

They choked me.

I opened my eyes..

...and I was here..

...in the belly
of that terrible bird.

We will kill the white man,
and we will go home.

It's in Allah's hands.

It is in our hands!

Allah made us warriors.

Mandinka warriors.

When we were up in the sun,
I counted the white man.

I saw 20 with the long knives
and the killing sticks

that make smoke and fire.

'Ten more are in the long poles'

pulling the ropes
and great cloths.

And the chief
who stands and watches.

There are 40 of us who are
taken up out of here together.

I have listened.

Three more times the Wolof
beats the drums.

That means there are 160 people.

- Some are women.
- But at least 100 are men.

And with 100 warriors, a chief
could raid a large village

and carry off all the cattle.

With chains on their feet?

You have seen the pieceof iron

they put it in the hole
and turn

and the ankle-irons open?

One of them wears it
around his neck.

I could get it.

If we had a plan.

If we had a signal
when we could all move.

But we're different men.

We can't even talk to each
other. We're different tribes!

Men chained together
are brothers.

We are all one village.

Who cannot speak the same words.

Who is Mandinka?

'Who speaks the language
of the Mandinka?'

I'm Okiyu the wrestler

from the village of Jayhutswa.

Who is Mandinka?

(slave #1)
'I am Mandinka.'

'I'm Buyao from
the village of Guffure.'

(slave #2)
'Falilu from Uboa.'

(slave #3)
'Odibu from the Fatabe village.'

Listen, Mandinka.

Those who speak other words,
words of the Wolof

of the Serere, the Fulani

talk to the man chained to you.

Teach him your words.

Learn his.

We will be one village.

'We will destroy our enemies.'

And we will be one village.

We will kill.

We will win.

'We will live!'

'We will live!'

[instrumental music]

(male narrator)
Next on "Roots.."

[screaming in foreign language]

[indistinct chattering]

Drive them to the wall!

'Who will offer me one hundred
pounds for this fine wench?'

We will see each
other again, Fanta.

'We will.'

[auction chant]

Sold! Your name, sir?

John Reynolds,
Spotsylvania County, Virginia.

Mr. Reynolds owns ya.

'Fiddler is going to teach ya.'

But sooner or later,
nigger, you're mine.

Chains ain't right
for a nigger, Fiddler.

'Kunta never forget you.'

Help Kunta be free.

[barking]

You're going to learn
to answer to your name.

What's your name?

Kunta Kinte.

What's your name?

[instrumental music]

[singing in foreign language]

[music continues]