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Amistad (1997)
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Overview
User Rating:
Release Date:
10 December 1997 (USA) moreTagline:
A true story. morePlot:
AMISTAD is about a 1839 mutiny aboard a slave ship that is traveling towards the Northeast Coast of America. Much of the story involves a court-room drama about the free-man who led the revolt. full summary | add synopsisAwards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 22 nominations moreNewsDesk:
(28 articles)
Greengrass Eyed for 'Blackbeard' Biopic (From Comicmix. 24 September 2008, 6:24 PM, PDT)
Pirate Greengrass?
(From JoBlo. 23 September 2008, 12:42 PM, PDT)
User Comments:
Powerful, gripping drama from Spielberg moreCast
(Cast overview, first billed only)Morgan Freeman | ... | Theodore Joadson | |
Nigel Hawthorne | ... | Martin Van Buren | |
Anthony Hopkins | ... | John Quincy Adams | |
Djimon Hounsou | ... | Cinque | |
Matthew McConaughey | ... | Baldwin | |
David Paymer | ... | Secretary of State John Forsyth | |
Pete Postlethwaite | ... | Holabird | |
Stellan Skarsgård | ... | Tappan | |
Razaaq Adoti | ... | Yamba | |
Abu Bakaar Fofanah | ... | Fala | |
Anna Paquin | ... | Queen Isabella II | |
Tomas Milian | ... | Calderon | |
Chiwetel Ejiofor | ... | Ens. Covey | |
Derrick N. Ashong | ... | Buakei | |
Geno Silva | ... | Ruiz |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for some scenes of strong brutal violence and some related nudity.Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parentsRuntime:
152 minCountry:
USAColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 moreCertification:
Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Brazil:12 | Brazil:14 (TV rating) | Brazil:Livre (DVD re-rating) | Philippines:PG-13 (cut) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | Finland:K-14 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Hong Kong:IIB | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Malaysia:(Banned) | Mexico:B | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:NC-16 (re-rating) | South Korea:15 | Spain:T | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #35700)MOVIEmeter:
17% since last week why?Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Harry A. Blackmun, who plays US Supreme Court Justice Joseph Story, served as a US Supreme Court Justice from 1970 to 1994. moreGoofs:
Factual errors: President Martin Van Buren did not replace district court Judge Judson with Judge Coglin. He did, however, write a letter to Judson asking him to send the slaves back to Cuba; Van Buren had a boat waiting to take the slaves away immediately, and thus render moot any appeal the abolitionists might make. However, this was still perceived as interference with the court system, and it did play a part -- although perhaps a minor one -- in Van Buren's failure to win re-election in 1840. moreQuotes:
[first lines]Ruiz: [to Pedro Montes] That one wants us to sail them back. That one thinks he can sail all the way back without us.
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Soundtrack:
Amazing Grace moreFAQ
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What is freedom? How does one determine who is free? In 1839, those questions were more difficult to answer then they are now. Yet, the mistakes of our forefathers must be examined in order to rectify current situations.
That is, in essence, what Steven Spielberg's gripping drama "Amistad" is about. Through its various dramas, Spielberg presents a case about a group of Africans, who, after being seized from their home, were forced onto a ship and sent to the United States aboard "La Amistad". On their way there, the slaves, led by Cinque (Djimon Hounsou), rebelled, killing off part of the crew. However, the ship was still directed towards the United States, where the Africans were brought to trial under murder.
In the court, various factions claim ownership of the slaves, and therefore try to seize them away. The United States government, led by President Martin Van Buren (Nigel Hawthorne), and Secretary of State Secretary Forsyth (David Paymer), try to ship the Africans to Spain, where an 11 year old Isabella II (Anna Paquin) wants them back. The two Spaniards who own "La Amistad" want the slaves for themselves. The American ship that found the slaves also wants them. In the midst of this are two abolitionists (Stellan Skaarsgard and Morgan Freeman), who want the slaves to be free. They enlist the help of lawyer Matthew McConaughey, who tries to free them. Through various legal proceedings, the case appears before the Supreme Court, where it is argued by ex-President John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins).
The film itself is a visual wonder. Spielberg favorite Janusz Kaminski sets the film in a dark, somber mood when appropriate, and a visual setting when appropriate as well. At times, the film is very slow, and very methodical. Spielberg is not at his finest here, the courtroom scenes have a tendency to lag. But Spielberg's finest work in the film, the opening scene, a scene of Cinque's family, and the brutal voyage of the slaves to America, is altogether stunning. It is this emotional force that carries the film. McConaughey is superb as the lawyer defending the Africans, Hopkins is sensational as the old Adams, Freeman is outstanding when used (Spielberg vastly under uses his supreme talents), and the rest of the cast is stellar. The movie, however, belongs to Hounsou. His emotional intensity is brilliant. Spielberg manages to make even the slowest scenes sparkle with focus on Hounsou, and the film's extraordinary power is simply captivating. The film is flawed, for most of the supporting characters are merely cardboard. But that doesn't matter. The story is a gripping one, and one of extreme importance. Kudos to Spielberg for finding it, finding the right men for the job, and letting the audience listen to the words of Cinque. A good job all around. ***1/2 out of 4, or an 8 out of 10.