Roots

I watched it first time around, and was impressed by the production. Can't say I enjoyed it - too distressing for that. I am more queasy as I've got older and so will give it a miss.

I remember reading the book years ago and being very moved by it. I have just finished reading Golden Hill set in New York in the 1740s which briefly touched on the treatment of slaves involved in insurrection which was unbelievably savage. I couldn't watch 12 Years A Slave because I just can't stand seeing such cruelty it's the stuff of nightmares, so I'm not sure I'd watch it either.

I noticed a trailer for this yesterday and was amazed at how little the programme has aged. It could have been filmed now. I remember it vividly, watched each episode then read the book. A huge great hardback courtesy of World Books, wonder if they are still going? It was the first book I read after the birth of my first daughter. Hard to believe it was so long ago, DD is 40 this year!

A definate watch for me. I still have the original Series (on video ) and Queen.

Thanks for the heads up.

I shall watch it, but only in four parts ?

I thought the first series was wonderful, if terribly sad, so not sure if I would be able to accept a remake.

I remember seeing some of it back in the 70s, but like others, found the cruelty too distressing, so won't watch this time.
In spite of films and series like that there's still plenty of hatred of black people in the USA.

Kunta Kinte ( I think that's right )!

I won't watch this time despite being enthralled last time.

I expect the newer version will be more 'realistic' and I don't think I can cope with that much brutality.

It's funny how I am much more moved by awful stuff than when I was younger as I would think it would be the other way round.

I`ve only just realised it`s not on actual TV,so won`t be watching anyway, can`t stand watching films on the laptop.

It's on BBC4 callgirl1

I've always wondered why the original series was never repeated. It was so good _ still remember Chicken George! Another one is The Holocaust series which was on years ago. Was Meryl Streep in it or am I thinking of someone else? It showed very clearly how communities could be set against each other and how easily life long friends could become deadly enemies. Certainly resonates now!

Pittcity, thank you, for some reason I was thinking that BBC4 was the internet one! My daughter and I watched the first one the other night, will catch the 2nd one hopefully tomorrow. It was very well acted, but the African villages seemed very clean and tidy for mid 18th century Africa, and the womens` dresses very pretty for primitive people.

Deedaa, yes, Meryl Streep was in Holocaust, can`t believe it was so long ago, `77 or `78. We were living 7 of us to a tiny caravan at the time, and our then 6 year old son sat up in bed one night in his sleep and shouted Heil Hitler!

I've been watching this and I'm horrified but fascinated. I remember the original only vaguely and the violence is dreadful, but I can't stop watching.
What's worse is that similar abuse is still happening around the world