The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992)
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The miniseries follows the rise of the Jackson family from a Midwestern town to global superstardom.
The story
The Jacksons: An American Dream is a miniseries that spans five decades of the Jackson family's life. It begins in the mid-20th century, tracing the family's journey from a Midwestern steel town to the early success of the Motown group, the Jackson 5. The narrative follows the patriarch Joe Jackson and matriarch Katherine Jackson as they raise their children and navigate the complexities of fame. The story explores the early years of the children's careers, the transition to different record labels, and the eventual rise of Michael Jackson to solo superstardom, all while dealing with the personal costs of their public success.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The miniseries follows the Jackson family over 40 years. Act 1 covers the 1940s through the late 1960s, focusing on the marriage of Joe and Katherine Jackson, the raising of their children in Gary, Indiana, and the early success of the Jackson 5 on Motown. Act 2 covers the 1970s and 1980s, detailing Michael Jackson's growth into a solo superstar, his transition to Epic Records, his iconic performances, and his complicated relationship with his father. The narrative includes specific milestones like Michael's 'Off the Wall' and 'Thriller' success, a fire during a performance, and the 1984 Victory Tour. The story concludes with the family's reconciliation after Michael's accident and the final tour.
- First release year
- 1992
- Runtime (minutes)
- 300
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Karen Arthur
- Writers
- Joyce Eliason · writer
- Cast and characters
- Lawrence Hilton Jacobs · Joe Jackson; Angela Bassett · Katherine Jackson; Holly Robinson Peete · Diana Ross; Margaret Avery · Martha Scruse; Billy Dee Williams · Berry Gordy; Vanessa Williams · Suzanne de Passe; Wylie Draper · Michael Jackson (ages 17–26); Abolade David Olatunde · Michael Jackson (baby); Alex Burrall · Michael Jackson (ages 6–8); Jason Weaver · Michael Jackson (ages 9–14); Colin Steele · Jermaine Jackson; Jermaine Jackson Jr. · Jermaine Jackson (ages 10–17)
- Genres
- miniseries; biographical
- Themes
- fame; fortune; family
- Tone and mood
- biographical
- Setting
- Gary, Indiana and other locations from the 1940s to the 1980s.
- Premise and plot tags
- biography; music
- Source material / true-story basis
- My Family
- Franchise connections
- The Jackson 5/The Jacksons
- Reception
- The miniseries was a ratings success and was considered one of the most popular and successful music-biography miniseries of the 1990s.
- Awards and nominations
- Emmy Award · Outstanding Individual Achievement in Choreography · win; Young Artist Award · Best Young Actor in a Television Movie · win; Youth in Film Awards · Outstanding Young Performers Starring in a Mini-Series · 14th · win
- Production trivia
- The miniseries was filmed in Los Angeles and Pittsburgh.; Michael Jackson approved of the script and the casting of Angela Bassett.; The role of young Marlon Jackson was played by actor Floyd Roger Myers Jr.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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