Follows several generations in the lives of a slave family. The saga begins with Kunta Kinte, a West African youth captured by slave raiders and shipped to America in the 1700s. The family is depicted up until the Civil War, when Kunte Kinte's grandson gains his emancipation.

Based on the novel by Alex Haley. DVD release of the original ABC television broadcast, January, 1977. Special features: Disc 4: "Crossing over: how Roots captivated an entire nation" newly created featurette ; "Roots: one year later" documentary ; audio commentary from key cast memebers including LeVar Burton, Cicely Tyson, and Ed Asner.