Malcolm X is a 1992 biographical film directed by Spike Lee about the African-American activist and black nationalist Malcolm X. The story is based on The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley. Denzel Washington was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Malcolm X.

Plot

Malcolm X divides the life of the African-American activist Malcolm X into three sections. The first section deals with the troubled childhood of Malcolm Little, whose father, a preacher, was murdered by the Black Legion and whose mother was institutionalized for insanity. Malcolm grows up and gets a job as a Pullman porter, calling himself Detroit Red. Getting involved with a Harlem gangster named West Indian Archie with whom he has a falling out, Malcolm flees to Boston and decides to become a burglar. He and his best friend, Shorty (played by Spike Lee) are arrested by the police and are both sentenced to a ten-year prison term.

The second section follows Malcolm's life in prison, where a fellow inmate, Baines (a composite character), introduces him to the teachings of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm eventually converts to the religion and becomes a disciple of Elijah Muhammad. During this fervent immersion into the Nation of Islam, he becomes an incendiary speaker for the movement and marries Betty X. Malcolm X preaches a doctrine of separation from white society and criticizes the non-violent, integration approach of the Civil Rights Movement. Later, Malcolm discovers that Muhammad had extramartial affairs with his secretaries and the Nation becomes jealous of Malcolm due to his wide exposure in the media and the possibility of him becoming greater in stature to Muhammad.