1991
Malcolm Little transforms from a country boy into a Boston hustler, engaging in crime until his arrest and imprisonment. In prison, he embraces Islam and education, becoming Malcolm X, a powerful minister for the Nation of Islam upon his release. His growing influence and outspokenness, especially regarding the Kennedy assassination, create tension with Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam leadership. Malcolm's discovery of Elijah Muhammad's hypocrisy leads to his silencing and foreshadows his tragic downfall.
Save the Cat beat sheet
The film follows Malcolm Little’s transformation from a street hustler in Harlem to a key minister in the Nation of Islam.
Open full beat sheetMalcolm X is listed as Protagonist. A bright, gawky country boy who transforms into a sharp-dressed hustler and eventually a powerful civil rights leader. In the parsed data, Malcolm X is connected to 87 scenes, 135 dialogue lines, 137 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
87 scenes / 135 dialogue linesBembry is listed as Mentor. A prisoner who introduces Malcolm to Islam and reading. In the parsed data, Bembry is connected to 15 scenes, 21 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
15 scenes / 21 dialogue linesShorty is listed as Friend. A runty, dark-skinned young man of 21, flamboyant dresser, Malcolm's close associate in Boston. In the parsed data, Shorty is connected to 15 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.
15 scenes / 1 dialogue linesBetty Shabazz is listed as Malcolm's wife. A lovely dark-skinned woman, a nurse. In the parsed data, Betty Shabazz is connected to 14 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 59.
14 scenes / 11 dialogue linesSophia is listed as Love interest. A spectacular blonde woman, thrill-seeker. In the parsed data, Sophia is connected to 11 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
11 scenes / 3 dialogue linesElijah Muhammad is listed as Leader of the Nation of Islam. A small, slight man, the spiritual leader of the Nation of Islam. In the parsed data, Elijah Muhammad is connected to 11 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 13 text mentions, first appearing around scene 95.
11 scenes / 2 dialogue linesWest Indian Archie is listed as Hustler. An elderly, big, very black man, a numbers runner. In the parsed data, West Indian Archie is connected to 9 scenes, 29 dialogue lines, 29 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
9 scenes / 29 dialogue linesBenjamin 2X is listed as Follower. A young, dedicated Muslim follower of Malcolm. In the parsed data, Benjamin 2X is connected to 9 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 60.
9 scenes / 5 dialogue linesLaura is listed as Love interest. A fine, cool, beautiful girl from the hill. In the parsed data, Laura is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 5.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesCholly is listed as Barber. A middle-aged barber who performs the conk ritual. In the parsed data, Cholly is connected to 1 scene, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
1 scenes / 2 dialogue linesToomer is listed as Barbershop patron. A man who frequents the barbershop. In the parsed data, Toomer is connected to 1 scene, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 2.
1 scenes / 1 dialogue linesEarl Little is listed as Malcolm's father. A Baptist Minister, six feet four, very black, with a glass eye. In the parsed data, Earl Little is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 21.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesJason is listed as Barbershop patron. A man who frequents the barbershop. In the parsed data, Jason is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 2.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesLouise Little is listed as Malcolm's mother. A strong, educated, light-skinned woman. In the parsed data, Louise Little is connected to 1 scene, first appearing around scene 21.
1 scenes / 0 dialogue linesShorty walks down the street in his zoot suit, anticipating his day.
ShortyShorty prepares a conk mixture while Cholly and others talk. Malcolm arrives to get his hair conked.
Malcolm X, Shorty, Cholly, Toomer, JasonMalcolm tries on a zoot suit and completes his transformation.
Malcolm X, ShortyMalcolm and Shorty walk down the street in their new suits.
Malcolm X, ShortyMalcolm and Shorty attend a dance. Malcolm meets Sophia and dances with Laura.
Malcolm X, Shorty, Sophia, LauraMalcolm drops Laura off at her house.
Malcolm X, LauraMalcolm and Sophia are intimate in her car.
Malcolm X, SophiaMalcolm and Shorty watch a gangster movie.
Malcolm X, ShortyMalcolm and Shorty play Cops and Robbers.
Malcolm X, ShortyMalcolm and Sophia have breakfast and talk.
Malcolm X, SophiaMalcolm and Laura walk on the beach.
Malcolm X, LauraMalcolm and Laura sit in a drugstore.
Malcolm X, LauraMalcolm gets into a fight and meets West Indian Archie.
Malcolm X, West Indian ArchieMalcolm gets outfitted with a new suit and a gun by Archie, preparing for the street.
Malcolm X, West Indian ArchieA series of shots showing Malcolm collecting numbers for the numbers game.
Malcolm X, West Indian ArchieMalcolm smokes a joint while watching a movie.
Malcolm XMalcolm and Archie use cocaine; Malcolm gets aggressive with Sophia over a bet.
Malcolm X, Sophia, West Indian ArchieMalcolm enters the bar and sees Laura with a junkie named Daniel.
Malcolm X, Laura, West Indian Archie, SophiaArchie confronts Malcolm at the club, leading to a standoff.
Malcolm X, Sophia, West Indian ArchieArchie and Sammy search for Malcolm in the men's room.
West Indian ArchieMalcolm flees and experiences a flashback to his childhood.
Malcolm X, Louise Little, Earl LittleShorty and Sophia drive Malcolm out of New York to Boston.
Malcolm X, Shorty, SophiaMalcolm demands money from Shorty, Sophia, and Peg.
Malcolm X, Shorty, SophiaMalcolm asserts dominance over Rudy and the group.
Malcolm X, Shorty, SophiaThe group robs a house.
Malcolm X, Shorty, SophiaMalcolm and his group are sentenced to prison.
Malcolm X, Shorty, SophiaMalcolm arrives at prison and is harassed by guards.
Malcolm X, BembryMalcolm endures solitary confinement.
Malcolm XBembry approaches Malcolm and begins to influence him.
Malcolm X, BembryBembry continues to mentor Malcolm.
Malcolm X, BembryBembry and Malcolm discuss the dictionary definitions of 'black' and 'white' and the importance of studying.
Malcolm X, BembryMalcolm studies the dictionary in his cell at night.
Malcolm XMalcolm is interrupted by Guard Barnes while studying.
Malcolm XMalcolm gives his cigarettes to Guard Barnes and reads Gandhi.
Malcolm XMalcolm and Bembry discuss history and the Nation of Islam during a baseball game.
Malcolm X, BembryBembry instructs Malcolm on the principles of Islam.
Malcolm X, BembryMalcolm receives a letter from Elijah Muhammad and has a spiritual experience.
Malcolm X, Elijah MuhammadBembry and his family eat dinner and discuss Malcolm.
BembryMalcolm reads Bembry's letter while waiting for a haircut.
Malcolm XArchie and Cadillac read a letter from Malcolm.
West Indian ArchieShorty receives a letter from Malcolm.
ShortyBembry reads Malcolm's letter to Elijah Muhammad.
Bembry, Elijah MuhammadMalcolm challenges Chaplain Gill during a lecture.
Malcolm XMalcolm meets Elijah Muhammad in person.
Malcolm X, Elijah MuhammadMalcolm visits Bembry's home to organize Nation of Islam activities.
Malcolm X, BembryMalcolm and his followers try to convert Black Christians.
Malcolm XMalcolm speaks to a crowd from a ladder.
Malcolm XMalcolm speaks to black women looking for work.
Malcolm XMalcolm addresses a large audience and reunites with Shorty.
Malcolm X, Shorty, Bembry, Betty ShabazzMalcolm and Shorty talk about their past.
Malcolm X, ShortyMalcolm visits a dying Archie.
Malcolm X, West Indian ArchieMalcolm walks through Harlem and reflects on the people he sees.
Malcolm X, LauraMalcolm addresses a large audience.
Malcolm X, Bembry, Betty ShabazzMalcolm meets Betty Shabazz.
Malcolm X, Bembry, Betty ShabazzMalcolm and Betty discuss his views on women.
Malcolm X, Betty ShabazzMalcolm and Elijah discuss women.
Malcolm X, Elijah MuhammadMalcolm and Betty visit the museum.
Malcolm X, Betty ShabazzMalcolm and Betty have an ice cream soda.
Malcolm X, Betty ShabazzMalcolm and Betty discuss their relationship and the pressures of their lives.
Malcolm X, Betty ShabazzMalcolm gathers information about the attack on Brother Johnson from witnesses.
Malcolm X, Benjamin 2XMalcolm confronts the police about Brother Johnson's whereabouts.
Malcolm XThe Fruit of Islam gathers outside the police station.
Benjamin 2XMalcolm forces the police to acknowledge Brother Johnson's presence.
Malcolm XMalcolm finds Brother Johnson badly beaten.
Malcolm XMalcolm leads a march to the hospital.
Malcolm X, Benjamin 2XThe march grows into a large demonstration.
Malcolm XThe Fruit of Islam waits outside the hospital.
Malcolm X, Benjamin 2XMalcolm confronts Captain Green.
Malcolm XThe doctor confirms Johnson will live; Malcolm disperses the crowd.
Malcolm X, Benjamin 2XMalcolm meets with his followers and Benjamin.
Malcolm X, Benjamin 2XMalcolm is summoned by Elijah Muhammad.
Malcolm X, Elijah MuhammadElijah Muhammad instructs Malcolm.
Malcolm X, Elijah MuhammadBetty receives a call from Malcolm.
Betty ShabazzMalcolm proposes to Betty over the phone.
Malcolm XMalcolm and Betty share an intimate moment.
Malcolm X, Betty ShabazzMalcolm and Betty celebrate their wedding.
Malcolm X, Betty ShabazzMalcolm speaks to a large audience.
Malcolm X, Benjamin 2XMalcolm speaks with Elijah Muhammad present.
Malcolm X, Elijah MuhammadBetty writes a letter to Malcolm.
Betty ShabazzMalcolm watches news footage of civil rights protests.
Malcolm XIf the so-called Negro were American citizens we wouldn't have a race problem. If the Emancipation Proclamation was authentic, you wouldn't have a race problem. If the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution was authentic, you wouldn't have a race problem. If the Supreme Court desegregation decision was authentic, you wouldn't have a race problem. All of this is hypocrisy. These Negro leaders have been telling the white man everything is all right, everything is under control. And they've been telling the white man that Mr. Muhammad is wrong, don't listen to him. But everything Mr. Muhammad has been saying is going to come to pass is now coming to pass and now the Negro leaders are standing up saying that we are about to have a racial explosion. We're going to have a racial explosion and that's more dangerous than an atomic explosion.
But everything the white man taught you, you learned. He told you you were a black heathen and you believed him. He told you how he took you out of darkness and brought you to the light. And you believed him. He taught you to worship a blond, blue-eyed God with white skin -- and you believed him. He told you black was a curse, you believed him. Did you ever look up the word black in the dictionary?
I never told you, but when I first saw you on the podium, cleaning your glasses, I felt sorry for you. Nobody as young as you should be that serious. But I don't think that anymore.
Mr. X, I was out there tonight. I saw what you did. I want to be a Muslim. I ain't never seen a Negro stand up to the police like that.
She says I'm cheap cuz I won't cop her a diamond ring. Had the indignation to call me a cheap black sunovabitch to boot.
I admire your enthusiasm but you should never join any organization without first checking it out thoroughly.
Poor education, you only work on poor paying jobs and that enables you to live again in a poor neighborhood.
When you have poor schools you have poor teachers. When you have poor teachers, you get a poor education.
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