Spike Lee's 'best film ever' is now free to watch on BBC iPlayer

Film buffs can currently watch an impressive biopic on BBC iPlayer, courtesy of Oscar-winning director Spike Lee, reports Surrey Live.

Released in 1992, this film shines the spotlight on a pivotal figure in American history.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has received an 89 percent fresh rating, with fans giving it a 91 percent rating based on over 50,000 reviews.

Many have praised the film online, particularly Lee's direction in making such an impactful film.

One viewer called Malcolm X Lee's "best film" and went on to lavish praise on the blockbuster: "Outstanding film, with brilliant work from Washington in the title role."

"Lee's direction is excellent and, despite being a tad preachy at the end, this is without a doubt his penultimate picture."

Another glowing review read: "A stunning performance by Denzel Washington (Oscar-nominated) carries this film literally into cinematic excellence.

"He stars as the titled character, the controversial Black Nationalist Leader who is easily one of the most interesting people who lived during the 20th Century.

"Spike Lee's uncompromising direction focuses on X's life. From his very early childhood to his violent death, the audience is given lots and lots information on the character as the film runs about 195 minutes."

One 10/10 review said: "I was only familiar with the history and influence of Malcolm X before I saw the film so I can't really judge it's faithfulness or accuracy.

"But as a film, I thought it was great. I really like Spike Lee; he keeps things fast-paced and interesting with his camera angles and colours/lighting [sic]."

Another glowing review stated: "Spike Lee struggled mightily to get 'Malcolm X' made, both financially and artistically.

"But when all was said and done, he produced an epic blockbuster and a definite treatment of the man's life."

Malcolm X is a biographical drama that follows the civil rights leader, charting his early years, his rise to power, before his tragic assassination.

The film dramatises key events in his life, including his criminal career, prison time, conversion to Islam and the racism he faced throughout his life.

Hollywood titan Denzel Washington took on the title role, earning him an Oscar nomination, but unfortunately, he lost out to Al Pacino for Scent of a Woman.

The film also featured a star-studded cast including Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, Al Freeman Jr. , Delroy Lindo, Kate Vernon, Theresa Randle, Christopher Plummer, Giancarlo Esposito, and Wendell Pierce, among others.

Director Lee also had a minor role in the film as Shorty, Malcolm's childhood friend.

The film was based on Alex Haley's 1965 book The Autobiography of Malcolm X, which the author collaborated on with the real-life political activist and completed after his death.

Among director Lee's most notable films are Inside Man in 2006, which reunited him with Washington, BlacKkKlansman (2018), He Got Game from 1998 and 1989's Do the Right Thing.

Malcolm X is streaming on the BBC iPlayer now