Roots 1977
“The Saga of an American Family.”
What is Roots?
Roots is a television series that tells the story of a family's history. The series is based on a book by a celebrated author, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his work.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1977
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 8
- Runtime
- 90 minutes
- First aired
- Jan 23, 1977
- Last aired
- Jan 30, 1977
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- ABC
- Genres
- Drama
- Updated
Where to watch
Buy
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How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 8 episodes and an average 90-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
Roots is a television series that tells the story of a family's history. The series is based on a book by a celebrated author, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his work. The book, published in 1976, is a bestseller and the basis for the television series. The series is a docu-drama that covers a period of time spanning over a century, from the mid-1700s to the post-Civil War era in the United States. The television series was produced in 1977 and won several awards, including Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe award, and a Peabody award. The series holds a significant place in television history as the most watched miniseries in U.S. history.
Should you watch it?
“This epic miniseries traces the multi-generational history of author Alex Haley's ancestors over a century.”
- based on a celebrated bestseller
- acclaimed production quality
- covers a lengthy historical timeline
- depicts difficult subject matter
Watch it if you are interested in an expansive dramatization of American family history.
The series depicts challenging historical events spanning from the mid-1700s through the post-Civil War era.
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Is Roots worth watching?
Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 8 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Part I Jan 23, 1977
- E2 Part II Jan 24, 1977
- E3 Part III Jan 25, 1977
- E4 Part IV Jan 26, 1977
- E5 Part V Jan 27, 1977
- E6 Part VI Jan 28, 1977
- E7 Part VII Jan 29, 1977
- E8 Part VIII Jan 30, 1977
Frequently asked questions
What is the source material?
The series is based on the 1976 bestseller Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley.
How long is the series?
The production is a twelve-hour miniseries.
What time period does it cover?
It spans over 100 years, beginning in mid-1700s Gambia and concluding in the post-Civil War United States.
Did the series win any awards?
Yes, it won nine Emmy awards, a Golden Globe award, and a Peabody award.
How popular was the series?
It stands as the most watched miniseries in United States history.