Death of a Prophet

Death of a Prophet is a 1981 television film, written and directed by Woodie King Jr.. It stars Morgan Freeman in the role of Malcolm X. The film tells the story of Malcolm X, a powerful speaker and leader who worked hard to defend the rights of Black Americans. It shows important moments from his life and the challenges he faced, giving viewers a chance to learn about his legacy and the issues he stood up for.

Cast

This television film stars Morgan Freeman as Malcolm X. Other actors include Yolanda King as Betty Shabazz. Ossie Davis, Yuri Kochiyama, and Amiri Baraka all appeared as themselves in the movie.

Reception

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that the film would start conversations but would not explain much about the events that happened. They noted that the film changed some facts, which could be frustrating, but it did show an important idea: Malcolm X was seen as a strong and powerful voice for black freedom because of his speaking skills and strong beliefs.

Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide described the film as a moving story about the final day of a black American leader, clearly based on Malcolm X, though his name is not used. They praised Morgan Freeman's acting and liked the film's style, which felt like a real documentary.