Born Malcolm Little, his minister father was killed by the Ku Klux Klan. He became a gangster, and while in jail discovered the Nation of Islam writings of Elijah Muhammad. After getting out of jail, he preaches the teachings, but later on goes on a pilgrimage to the city of Mecca. There he converts to the original Islamic religion and becomes a Sunni Muslim. He changes his name to El-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz and stops his anti-white teachings, having discovered the error of his mistakes. He is later assasinated and dies a Muslim martyr.

Based on the book "The autobiography of Malcolm X" as told to Alex Haley. Originally released as a motion picture in 1992. Special features: Commentary by Spike Lee, Ernest Dickerson, Barry Alexander Brown and Ruth Carter; "By any means necessary: the making of Malcolm X" new documentary; 10 additional scenes, including introduction by Spike Lee; theatrical trailer. (Features are not rated, subtitled or closed-captioned.).