Maps of Movies
Malcolm X (1992)
Where Malcolm X says it takes place, and where it was really shot.
Boston is Brooklyn, a Harlem ballroom is a Midtown hotel, and Mecca is half a world away
View on the mapScenes and places
The night riders at the Little house
Hooded riders surround the house and shout for Malcolm's father to come out. His pregnant mother faces them at the door alone.
Set in The Little family house, Omaha — Klansmen surround the family home while Malcolm's mother is pregnant with him.
A family home on the Great Plains, according to the story.
Filmed at Peekskill, New York — Stand-in for the Omaha house; a book excerpt places the shoot in Peekskill. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Boston's Roxbury street, built in Brooklyn
The teenage Malcolm steps into the city's Black neighbourhood and its flashy street life. The film's Boston is rebuilt on a Brooklyn block.
Set in Dudley Square, Roxbury, Boston — A Boston street where young Malcolm arrives and meets the city.
A Roxbury commercial square in the story; shot in another city.
Filmed at Williamsburg, Brooklyn — One Williamsburg block was dressed as 1940s Roxbury, per the art director. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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The Roseland Ballroom dance floor
Malcolm is pulled onto the dance floor and into a night of showing off. He meets Sophia, who tells him to take his date home and come back.
Set in Roseland Ballroom, Boston — Malcolm, nicknamed Red, dances and meets a white woman named Sophia.
A dance hall in Boston in the story.
Harlem and the numbers racket
In a smoky Harlem bar Malcolm gets noticed by a West Indian gambler. He learns the numbers game and the street.
Set in Harlem bars and clubs — Malcolm arrives in Harlem and falls in with hustlers.
A famous Harlem jazz club on Lenox Avenue.
Filmed at Lenox Lounge, Harlem — A Harlem club used for the hustling-era bar scenes, per a book excerpt. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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The break-in on a rich house
Malcolm's crew works the rich house in the middle of the night. The easy money pushes them further.
Set in A wealthy house, Boston — Malcolm and his crew break into a wealthy Boston house.
A well-off house in the story.
The Boston jail
The cell door shuts on Malcolm for the first time. The street swagger stops here.
Set in A Boston jail — Malcolm is sent to prison.
A prison in the story.
Learning Islam in prison
Malcolm resists at first but listens to a fellow prisoner. The conversation changes how he sees himself.
Set in Prison cell, Massachusetts — In prison Malcolm meets Baines and begins to learn about Islam.
A prison wing; today the East Jersey State Prison.
Filmed at Rahway State Prison, New Jersey — Per a book excerpt and AFI's credits for inmates of Rahway State Prison. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Preaching on a Harlem street
Malcolm preaches and his message gathers crowds. Harlem becomes his pulpit.
Set in 125th Street, Harlem — Malcolm speaks on the Harlem street.
A main commercial street in the story.
The pilgrimage to Mecca
Malcolm joins pilgrims of every colour. What he sees there changes his view of people.
Set in Masjid al-Haram, Mecca — Malcolm makes the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The holiest site in Islam.
Filmed at Masjid al-Haram, Mecca — A second unit shot there because the director could not enter. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Filmed at Cairo, Egypt — A replica of the Kaaba was built in Cairo in January 1992. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Audubon Ballroom
Malcolm refuses to let his followers frisk the crowd. He insists he must be safe among his own people.
Set in Audubon Ballroom, Harlem — Malcolm returns to Harlem and speaks at the Audubon. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A Harlem ballroom named after the naturalist.
Filmed at Audubon Ballroom, Harlem — The real building exterior, per the art director and a book excerpt. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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The classroom in Soweto
A teacher stands in front of a class of children. The film closes on a note of continuing.
Set in A schoolroom, Soweto — A classroom full of children. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A school in Soweto, South Africa.
Filmed at Phakamani Combined School, Soweto — AFI's credits and shooting records place the final scene in Soweto; coordinates are the district centre. Google Maps · Apple Maps
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Characters
- Malcolm X — The Harlem and Boston hustler who becomes a leader.