Stream it now Amistad 1997

 

dont like slave owners antonisia tuitt

this movie is very powerful

Amistad is a historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg, and written by David Franzoni. Overall, I thought Amistad was a emotionally powerful film, and had some very powerful performances. The cast is magnificent in Amistad, and features actors such as Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, Matthew McConaughey, and Djimon Hounsou.

Each and every one of the actors involved in this film do a good job, but to me Anthony Hopkins stood out above all the rest. Hopkins persuasive speech to the United States Supreme Court near the end of the film was just astounding, and is probably one of the best speeches I have ever heard in any film. I also thought the production was quite impressive in the film, as Spielberg expertly captured the feel of early 19th century society.

The story is pretty well written as well, but there were some very long scenes that seemed to just drag on and bore me to death. Because of this, I don't believe I could watch this entire film from start to finish ever again, but at the same time, I am glad I watched it all the way through at least once. All this is my personal opinion, as I know that many will enjoy Amistad much more than I did. In the end, I believe Amistad is a film that everyone should at least check out once.

A great movie with a well-written story. Didn't cut corners on the details of just how slaves were treated during this time. Recommended to all history bluffs.

"What kind of a place is this where you almost mean what you say? Where laws almost work? How can you live like that?"

Put it this way, at the end of the movie I told my friend man that was a short movie. He responded, Alex, it was 2 1/2 hours. I was absolutely sucked in. It was fantastic.

A good-to-great historical and philosophical account on the harshness of slavery; Steven Spielberg manages to capture and educate the audience on this once-political controversy through the perspective of a historically insignificant group of slaves.

This is one of my favorite movies of all time. Matthew McCounouhey (sorry if I butchered his last name) surprised me a lot in this movie. And Djimon Hounsou is just awesome. Such an emotional journey to freedom and great cinematography. Not to mention John Williams' amazing score.

The movie is beautiful and sad and at times i want to look away because of how daunting the images are but i cannot they are to powerful to want to miss them.

Please be aware! Spoiler alert

Amistad is based on the true story of an 1839 slave revolt upon a Spanish vessel, La Amistad. The ship is transporting slaves between two ports in Cuba when the slaves revolt and capture the ship. They are led by Cinque (played powerfully by Djimon Hounsou) who is well-respected by the other slaves and becomes their de facto leader. Two of the ship's crew are kept alive on the promise that they sail the ship to Africa and release the slaves. The crew accepts the deal, then misleads the slaves and travel up the coast of North America, where the Amistad is apprehended by an American vessel while reconnoitering for provisions along the coast of New York. The slaves are taken to Connecticut, where the American commander files a claim to have the vessel and the slaves legally transferred to him as cargo salvaged from the high seas.

Other parties soon join the suit. First, criminal charges of mutiny and murder are also filed against the slaves. Next, the two crew of the Amistad, whose lives the slaves had spared, file to have the Amistad and all its cargo returned to them. The Spanish government, represented by United States District Attorney Holibird at the request of standing President Martin Van Buren, also files a claim to have the Amistad and its cargo returned to Spain as legal property. Finally, American abolishionists file a suit on behalf of the alleged slaves, claiming that they are not cargo, that they were illegally captured in Mendeland (modern day Sierra Leone,) and should therefore be returned to Africa and released.

After much deliberation, the Connecticut District Court finds in favor of the defendants, claiming that they were illegally enslaved and, as such, the mutiny and murder aboard the Amistad were committed in self-defense. Also, due to the illegal enslavement of the Africans, the court decides that they cannot not be considered property at all, but free men, and must therefore be released and returned to Africa.

Martin Van Buren, pressured by a strong southern coalition, decides to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of the United States.

In one of the more powerful scenes in the film, Cinque's attorney (played by Mathew McConaughy) is forced to try to explain the appeals process to his client. Cinque gets angry, then blurts, "What kind of a land is this where you almost mean what you say? Where laws almost work?"

The abolishionists then persuade John Quincy Adams, former President of the United States, to plead on their behalf. Adams is played remarkably well by Sir Anthony Hopkins. Interesting side note: I find it amusing that Hopkins, a British-born actor, has now successfully portrayed two American Presidents...Adams and Nixon.

Adams delivers an excellent speech, arguing that the decision isn't about property, but about the inalienable rights of free persons. In the film, at the highlight of his presentation, Adams uses a story that he hears from Cinque to emotionally appeal to the Justices. Cinque thinks that he will be protected by his ancestors, that they will all come to aid him in this time of crisis because he is their living representative...he is the reason they existed in the first place. As Adams is pacing before the busts of Washington, Jefferson, and the bust of his own father, he says that we are also the embodiment of our ancestors and as such, we should invoke their spirits to make the right decision.

I admit that the sentiment is highly histrionic, and as far as I can discern, not in Adam's original speech to the Supreme Court, but it's effective in the film. At any rate, in the movie...as in real life, the Supreme Court finds for the fugitives, and orders that they be immediately released and returned to their homeland if they so choose.

So, how good is Amistad?

I originally saw the movie in the theaters and hated it. I thought it was way too emotionally manipulative. Of course, at that time in my life, I would have applied the same logic to most Spielberg films. I have since revised my standing on Steven Spielberg. He is hokey and emotionally manipulative sometimes, but not enough to dampen my enjoyment of all the things he does properly when he's making a movie. Amistad has a decent script, lush cinematography, competent acting, and a fulfilling final act. If there's anything wrong with Amistad, it's John Williams' cheesy and overwrought musical score. It hams up the whole movie. Still, I recommend the film.