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Death of a Prophet is a 1981 television film, written and directed by Woodie King Jr., and starring Morgan Freeman as Malcolm X.

Cast

• Morgan Freeman as Malcolm X
• Yolanda King as Betty Shabazz
• Ossie Davis as himself
• Yuri Kochiyama as herself
• Amiri Baraka as himself

Reception

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that the film "will stimulate discussion, but it won't shed any light on the itself... To say Death of a Prophet takes liberties with the facts is an understatement, but the degree to which it does can be a bit irritating at times... Still, the film manages to capture an essential truth — Malcolm X was perceived in some circles and our government as a dangerous man because of his eloquence, self-discipline and unswerving dedication to black liberation."

Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide called the film a "low-budget but involving drama (with some documentary scenes) about the last day in the life of a black American leader. He's clearly supposed to be Malcolm X, though that name is not mentioned. Freeman is excellent, and the film's documentary style is effective."

References

1. Goldberg, Lesley (22 August 2017). "Malcolm X Scripted TV Series in the Works". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
2. "Morgan Freeman at 80: Here are his best films". Deutsche Welle. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2018.
3. Norman, Tony (February 24, 1992). "'Prophet' allegorizes Malcolm X slaying". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
4. Maltin, Leonard (2017). Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide: The Modern Era. Plume Books. p. 337. ISBN 9780525536192. Retrieved 2 December 2020.

External links

Death of a Prophet at IMDb

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• 1981 drama films
• 1981 films
• Films about Malcolm X
• Films set in the 1960s
• American drama television films
• 1980s English-language films
• 1980s American films
• American drama television film stubs