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Amistad (1997) 7.1
Ratings:
7.1/10 from 39,988 users
Metascore: 63/100
Reviews: 199 user | 126 critic | 23 from Metacritic.com About a 1839 mutiny aboard a slave ship that is traveling towards the northeastern coast of America. Much of the story involves a court-room drama about the free man who led the revolt. Director:Steven SpielbergWriter:David Franzoni |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Morgan Freeman | ... |
Theodore Joadson
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| Nigel Hawthorne | ... | ||
| Anthony Hopkins | ... | ||
| Djimon Hounsou | ... |
Cinque
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| Matthew McConaughey | ... | ||
| David Paymer | ... |
Secretary John Forsyth
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| Pete Postlethwaite | ... | ||
| Stellan Skarsgård | ... | ||
| Razaaq Adoti | ... |
Yamba
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Abu Bakaar Fofanah | ... |
Fala
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| Anna Paquin | ... |
Queen Isabella
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| Tomas Milian | ... |
Calderon
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| Chiwetel Ejiofor | ... |
Ensign Covey
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| Derrick N. Ashong | ... |
Buakei
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Geno Silva | ... |
Ruiz
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Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Amistad is the name of a slave ship traveling from Cuba to the U.S. in 1839. It is carrying a cargo of Africans who have been sold into slavery in Cuba, taken on board, and chained in the cargo hold of the ship. As the ship is crossing from Cuba to the U.S., Cinque, who was a tribal leader in Africa, leads a mutiny and takes over the ship. They continue to sail, hoping to find help when they land. Instead, when they reach the United States, they are imprisoned as runaway slaves. They don't speak a word of English, and it seems like they are doomed to die for killing their captors when an abolitionist lawyer decides to take their case, arguing that they were free citizens of another country and not slaves at all. The case finally gets to the Supreme Court, where John Quincy Adams makes an impassioned and eloquent plea for their release. Written by M Parkinson, Sarasota, FL, USA
Taglines:
Freedom is not given. It is our right at birth. But there are some moments when it must be taken. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for some scenes of strong brutal violence and some related nudity | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
10 December 1997 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Amistad - Das Sklavenschiff See more »Box Office
Budget:
$40,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$11,000,000 (Non-US) (6 March 1998)Gross:
$44,175,394 (USA) (3 April 1998)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
Edit
Ruiz: [to Pedro Montes] That one wants us to sail them back. That one thinks he can sail all the way back without us.
See more »
Written by Giovanni Battista Viotti
Performed by Quartetto Aira
Courtesy of Dynamic SRL.
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
President Van Buren and former President Adams find themselves on opposite ends of the court case in this film. In real life, Van Buren would later run for re-election in 1848 as a member of the Free Soil party, which opposed the expansion of slavery. His Vice-Presidential running mate was John Quincy Adams's son, Charles Francis Adams. See more »Goofs
There is a scene where the men are shown lying on their bunks and their heads are all moving to the rocking motion of the ship. However, there is a chain hanging nearby that is not moving at all. This is because the ship was in port when this scene was filmed and someone out of view was leading all the actors to move their heads to give the impression that the ship was sailing on the high seas. See more »Quotes
[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.
See more »
Crazy Credits
The events depicted did not historically occur at Fort El Morro See more »Soundtracks
"Andante From Quartet No. 2 In B Flat Major"Written by Giovanni Battista Viotti
Performed by Quartetto Aira
Courtesy of Dynamic SRL.
See more »
While theatergoers in 1997 were being amazed by special effects on another ship, this magnificent story given to us by the master director Steven Spielberg gives us the true story of our country and what it means to be American.
We are not free as long as one of us is in chains. As John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) so eloquently put it, "...what are we to do with that embarrassing, annoying document, The Declaration of Independence? What of its conceits? "All men created equal," "inalienable rights," "life, liberty," and so on and so forth?" The Civil War was, indeed, the last battle of The American Revolution.
What a cast! You can search for Fool's Gold or you can watch Matthew McConaughey in her greatest performance as the lawyer who risked it all.
Djimon Hounsou may Never Back Down this year, as he certainly didn't in this film.
Morgan Freeman certainly knows about "Freedom: A History of Us" and he helped the Africans find theirs.
One of the very best films I have ever seen.