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Amistad (1997) 7.1
Ratings:
7.1/10 from 39,772 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
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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.
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Traditional West African Chant
Adapted by Arthur Abraham (as Dr. Arthur Abraham), El Hadj Malik Sow and Debbie Allen
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Did You Know?
Goofs
As the Africans row to the island for fresh water, their rowboat is marked "LA AMISTAD" in all capital letters. However, as they're returning, after the Navy ship appears, the rowboat reads "La Amistad" in mixed case. 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
"Today We Face The Wall"Traditional West African Chant
Adapted by Arthur Abraham (as Dr. Arthur Abraham), El Hadj Malik Sow and Debbie Allen
See more »
Amistad is a very well crafted, well acted, and well told story. It is also mostly true to the history of events surrounding the Amistad 'mutiny', and the defense of the Africans responsible for it by John Quincy Adams and a young lawyer named Baldwin. I put the word mutiny in quotes because it is absurd to think of people fighting against murder, enslavement and rape as any form of crime. The film is unabashed about showing us the brutality and outrageousness of the covertly institutionalized slave trade that haunted one of America's darkest, most retrograde periods, and pulls no punches about the cultural differences between its victims, its culprits, and those who felt that it was not their problem.
Amistad ranks as one of McConaughey's finest performances, perhaps his best. But nearly the entire cast is blown off the screen by the passionate, sensitive and profound performance of Djimon Hounsou. Hopkins is good as Adams, but what else is new? Though the film does not have a literary feel - it is pure cinema - it is a truly great story featuring bold characters and a deep and simple emotionality which draws its audience in. Alistad has a spirit that can only be described as truthfulness.
Despite his detractors, Spielburg proves again and again that morally decent films with positive messages can be entertaining and artfully crafted.
Highly recommended.