Spike Lee uses three spiritual awakenings to frame the story of Malcolm X’s life. Malcolm was raised in a Christian household but was never a committed follower. His ties to the underworld led to a prison sentence where he experienced his first spiritual awakening. We see the vision that led him toward the decision to join the Nation of Islam. This awakening forms his early activism and resistance, all in submission to Elijah Muhammad. When disappointed by Elijah Mohammed, he distanced himself from the Nation of Islam and took a pilgrimage to Mecca, his second awakening. Upon meeting Muslims of all races, his work became inclusive. Shortly before his murder, he walked outside a Christian church where a woman told him she’s praying for him. His response to this presents his third spiritual awakening and leaves us wondering how his life and work would have changed had he lived longer.
—Ed Bertram
- Directed by: Spike Lee
- Produced by: Spike Lee Marvin Worth
- Written by: Alex Haley Malcolm X Arnold Perl Spike Lee
- Music by: Terence Blanchard
- Cinematography by: Ernest R. Dickerson
- Editing by: Barry Alexander Brown
- Release Date: 1992
- Running Time: 202
- Language: English
Arts & Faith Lists:
2017 Top 25 Films on Waking Up — #14