Captive Heart: The James Mink Story (1996)

James Mink is a black man in Canada who has built a very successful livery business, and enjoys a white wife and a beautiful daughter, Mary. An excellent match is arranged with an American ... See full summary »

Director:

Bruce Pittman

Writers:

Bryon White (story), Bryon White (teleplay),

Stars:

Louis Gossett Jr., Kate Nelligan, Ruby Dee

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Louis Gossett Jr.	...	James Mink
Kate Nelligan	...	Elizabeth Mink
Ruby Dee	...	Indigo
Peter Outerbridge	...	William Johnson
Michael Jai White	...	Elroy
Winston Rekert	...	Sherman Clay
Rachael Crawford	...	Mary Mink
Eric Peterson	...	Rev. Eli Brennemen
Brenda Bazinet	...	Catherine Clay
Bernard Behrens
Wayne Robson
Victor Ertmanis
Jackie Richardson
Colin Fox	...	Lord Elgin
Kevin Duchaney	...	Ephraim

Storyline

James Mink is a black man in Canada who has built a very successful livery business, and enjoys a white wife and a beautiful daughter, Mary. An excellent match is arranged with an American businessman, but when he takes his new wife Mary across the border his true character emerges - he sells her into slavery. James and Elizabeth must go to Virginia to rescue their daughter.

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Plot Keywords:

slavery | interracial relationship | escape from slavery | escape | racism | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 April 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

La historia de James Mink

Filming Locations:

Parks of the St. Lawrence, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

CanWest Global Communications, Dorothea G. Petrie Productions, Hallmark Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

James Mink: We'll need lodging.
Risser: You'll stay here tonight but from now on, you will travel *only* by day.
[points to map]
Risser: There are safe houses here, here and here. Make sure you reach them by sundown. When you get to Newcastle, find the Quaker church first thing, and the Minister there will help you the rest of the way.
James Mink: Why the Quakers?
Risser: Down South, Mr. Mink, belief in Jesus is no sure sign of goodness; except among the foot-washers.

User Reviews

Disturbingly FAR from accurate. James Mink was no hero/victim.

James Mink NEVER attempted to rescue his daughter from slavery! He would not/did not risk HIS freedom or safety! He was a despicable man and a coward! If you have read the true account of James Mink- this TV movie will be offensive to you. If you DON'T know the true story, it will be a delightful fairy tale. The true story is that James Mink was a very successful black man in Canada- who(like many successful black men) developed an odd attitude toward other blacks. Mr.Mink saw success and prosperity as WHITE. Mink married a white woman and decided that his mixed-black daughter would ONLY MARRY A WHITE MAN!!! Mr. Mink was SO socially and racially "ambitious" in this area that he put adverts in newspapers offering his beautiful, UPPER CLASS, mixed-black daughter to WHITE MEN ONLY! THIS PART IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!- Mr.Mink gave his daughter to a white man he didn't know and when his daughter was sold into slavery....MR. MINK NEVER WENT TO RESCUE HER!!THIS PART IS Completely MADE UP! As a black woman, I am all for black history and positive black images, but this "retelling" was too much of a lie and made a black man- who was a sad intra-racist- into a hero! PLEASE READ OR GOOGLE THE REAL HISTORY OF JAMES MINK!