In attempts to "make install" the MPlayer, I found myself up against Permission denied statements. I've checked to make sure the codecs are in the right spot, so it seems the only problem here is that I don't have permission to access install. Any help, insight, testimonials?

Copying documentation directory...
make[1]: Entering directory `/usr/local/MPlayer-1.0pre5/libdha'
mkdir -p /usr/local/lib
install -m 755 -s -p libdha.so.1.0 /usr/local/lib/libdha.so.1.0
make[1]: execvp: install: Permission denied
make[1]: *** [install] Error 127
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/local/MPlayer-1.0pre5/libdha'
make[1]: Entering directory `/usr/local/MPlayer-1.0pre5/vidix'
make[2]: Entering directory `/usr/local/MPlayer-1.0pre5/vidix/drivers'
mkdir -p /usr/local/lib/mplayer/vidix
install -m 755 -s -p *.so /usr/local/lib/mplayer/vidix
/bin/sh: line 1: install: command not found
make[2]: [install] Error 127 (ignored)
make[2]: Leaving directory `/usr/local/MPlayer-1.0pre5/vidix/drivers'
make[1]: Leaving directory `/usr/local/MPlayer-1.0pre5/vidix'
if test ! -d /usr/local/bin ; then mkdir -p /usr/local/bin ; fi
install -m 755 -s mplayer /usr/local/bin/mplayer
make: execvp: install: Permission denied
make: *** [install] Error 127

You must be root in order to install to directories ouside your home dir (i.e. to directory /usr/local).
If you have root access to that system, use the "su" command to temporarily enter root state (and log out after installation again with ctrl+d).

I should specify, I was in root. I have compiled many a program, and am fairly capable, I'd like to think. I would like a response that tells me why install is failing to work when it otherwise does.