Amistad (1997)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Steven Spielberg

Writer (WGA):

David Franzoni (written by)

Release Date:

10 December 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History | Mystery

Tagline:

A true story.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Ship | Slave Ship | Mutiny | Africa | Supreme Court

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 22 nominations

Cast

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
John Ortiz	...	Montes
Ralph Brown	...	Lt. Gedney
Darren E. Burrows	...	Lt. Meade (as Darren Burrows)
Allan Rich	...	Judge Juttson
Paul Guilfoyle	...	Attorney
Peter Firth	...	Capt. Fitzgerald
Xander Berkeley	...	Hammond
Jeremy Northam	...	Judge Coglin
Arliss Howard	...	John C. Calhoun
Willie Amakye	...	Folowa
Luc Assogba	...	Gbatui
Mariah Campbell	...	Masery
Habib Conteh	...	Bai
Stephen Conteh	...	Morlai
Monguehy Fanzy	...	Fabanna
Jimmy Fotso	...	Kwong
Adekunle Ilori	...	Kahei
Sheriff Kargbo	...	Almamy
Saye Lah	...	Kessebe
Sylvestre Massaquoi	...	Santigiie
Samson Odede	...	Kpona
Chike Okpala	...	Sorie
Willie Onafesso	...	Jina
Samuel Pieh	...	Suuleh
Lansana Sawi	...	Morlu
Abu Sidique	...	Tsukama
El Hadj Malik Sow	...	Golabu
Lamine Thiam	...	Mahmud
Austin Pendleton	...	Prof. Gibbs
Daniel von Bargen	...	Warden Pendleton
Rusty Schwimmer	...	Mrs. Pendleton
Pedro Armendáriz Jr.	...	Gen. Espatero (as Pedro Armendariz)
Frank T. Wells	...	Crier
Michael Massee	...	Prison Guard
Roy Cooper	...	Pickney
Jake Weber	...	Mr. Wright
Victor Rivers	...	Capt. Ferrar
Joseph Kosseh	...	Birmaja
Steve Passewe	...	Cinque's In-Law
Sherly Acosta Williams	...	Cinque's Wife
Matt Sarles	...	Young Aide
George Gerdes	...	Marshal
Gerald R. Molen	...	Magistrate (as Jerry Molen)
Kevin J. O'Connor	...	Missionary
Robert Walsh	...	Guardsman
Sean McGuirk	...	Courier
Tony Owen	...	Farmer
William Young	...	Businessman
Michael Riley	...	British Officer
León Singer	...	Don Pablo (as Leon Singer)
Castulo Guerra	...	Spanish Priest
Harry Groener	...	Tecora Captain
Hawthorne James	...	Creole Cook
Ingrid Walters	...	Woman Overboard with Baby
Harry A. Blackmun	...	Associate Justice Joseph Story
Curtis Shields	...	Bassie
Carlos Spivey	...	Chike
Charles Udoma	...	Kessebe
Andrew L. Josiah	...	Tamba
Tony Onafesso	...	Baa
Peter Mansaray	...	Kapr
Clarence Mobley	...	Kenei
Brian Macon	...	Yauai
Edward Appiah	...	Followolo
Denver Dowridge	...	Kpau
Paul Mwakutuya	...	Sessi
Rory Burton	...	Vakina
Samuel Orekhio	...	Fawni
Omo Lara Tosin	...	Kula
Ransford Thomas	...	Alkali
Juliette Darko	...	Teme
Isaac Mayanja	...	Sanpha
Charlean Isata Bangalie	...	Margru
Roosevelt Flenoury	...	Njaooni
M.S. Kaleiwo	...	Kaleiwo
Tesfay Yohannes	...	Amistad African Extra
George Kamara	...	Amistad African Extra
Abdul-Fatai Balogun	...	Amistad African Extra
Yaya Sissoko	...	Amistad African Extra
Marlon Francis	...	Amistad African Extra
Amadou Traore	...	Amistad African Extra
Bundu Kamara	...	Amistad African Extra
James Moses	...	Amistad African Extra
Daniel Reid	...	Amistad African Extra
Seydou Coulibaly	...	Amistad African Extra
Lawal Tajudeen	...	Amistad African Extra
Lester Mombelly	...	Amistad African Extra
Ibrahim Sesay	...	Amistad African Extra
Jeremy Shelton	...	Amistad African Extra
Andrew Shoemo	...	Amistad African Extra
Prince Coke	...	Amistad African Extra
Ahmed Bangura	...	Amistad African Extra
Bernard Singleton	...	Amistad African Extra
Desere Mondon	...	Amistad African Extra
Baboucar Jobe	...	Amistad African Extra
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Vincent Lynne-O'Brien	...	Plantation Owner (scenes deleted)
John D. Bair	...	Senator (uncredited)
Paul Berlier	...	Sargeant of the guard (uncredited)
Eric Bruno Borgman	...	First Jury Juror (uncredited)
KimStacy Carter	...	Tecora Slave (uncredited)
Alex Daunis	...	Clerk of Supreme Court (uncredited)
Nino Del Padre	...	Court Witness (uncredited)
Lawrence Gaughan	...	Spaniard (uncredited)
Tom Lynch	...	Slave Trader (uncredited)
Luis Muñoz	...	Spanish Slave Guard (uncredited)
Ungenita Prevost	...	Tecora Slave (uncredited)
Glendon Rich	...	Slave / Abolishionist (uncredited)
John H. Tobin	...	Supreme Court Reporter (uncredited)

Directed by
Steven Spielberg

Writing credits (WGA)
David Franzoni		(written by)

Produced by
Debbie Allen	....	producer
Robert Cooper	....	co-executive producer
Bonnie Curtis	....	associate producer
Paul Deason	....	associate producer
Laurie MacDonald	....	executive producer
Walter F. Parkes	....	executive producer (as Walter Parkes)
Tim Shriver	....	co-producer
Steven Spielberg	....	producer
Colin Wilson	....	producer

Original Music by
John Williams

Cinematography by
Janusz Kaminski

Film Editing by
Michael Kahn

Casting by
Victoria Thomas

Production Design by
Rick Carter

Art Direction by
Christopher Burian-Mohr		(as Chris Burian-Mohr)
Tony Fanning
William James Teegarden		(as Jim Teegarden)

Set Decoration by
Rosemary Brandenburg

Costume Design by
Ruth E. Carter

Makeup Department
Adelbert Acevedo	....	makeup artist
Deena Adair	....	hair stylist: Mr. Freeman
Christine Beveridge	....	hair stylist: Mr. Hopkins (as Chrissie Beveridge)
Christine Beveridge	....	makeup artist: Mr. Hopkins (as Chrissie Beveridge)
John Blake	....	makeup artist
John Caglione Jr.	....	makeup artist: East Coast
Mary Cooke	....	hair stylist: East Coast (as Mary Cook)
Bill Corso	....	makeup assistant department head (as William Corso)
Kelly Gleason	....	makeup artist: East Coast
Michael Hancock	....	makeup artist: Mr. Freeman (as Mike Hancock)
Carla Joi	....	hair stylist
Paula Kelly	....	makeup artist: East Coast
Erma Kent	....	hair stylist
Robert Laden	....	makeup artist: East Coast
Judy Murdock	....	makeup artist
Ve Neill	....	makeup department head
Victoria M. Porter	....	hair stylist: East Coast (as Victoria Porter)
Joseph Michael Regina	....	makeup artist (as Joseph M. Regina)
Gerald Riley	....	hair stylist
Richard Snell	....	makeup artist
John Sobeck	....	makeup artist: East Coast
Perri Sorel	....	makeup artist
Steven R. Soussanna	....	hair stylist (as Steve Soussana)
Linda Stevenson-Khan	....	hair stylist (as Linda Khan)
Robert L. Stevenson	....	key hair stylist (as Robert Louis Stevenson)
Laini Thompson	....	makeup artist
Alicia M. Tripi	....	hair stylist
Julia L. Walker	....	hair stylist (as Julia Walker)
Del Acevedo	....	assistant makeup artist (uncredited)
Rob Hinderstein	....	makeup artist (uncredited)
Selina Jayne	....	additional makeup artist (uncredited)
Scott Patton	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)
Brian Penikas	....	makeup artist: prosthetics (uncredited)

Production Management
Paul Deason	....	unit production manager
Erica Frauman	....	post-production supervisor
Angela Heald	....	production supervisor
Nannette Rosa-Collazo	....	production manager: Puerto Rico

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Luis Rosario Albert	....	second second assistant director: Puerto Rico
Sean Hobin	....	second assistant director
Eric Jones	....	second assistant director
Vicente Juarbe	....	second second assistant director: Puerto Rico
Foongy Lee	....	dga trainee
Sergio Mimica-Gezzan	....	first assistant director
Tito Rosario	....	second second assistant director: Puerto Rico (as Tito Otero)
Denis L. Stewart	....	first assistant director: Puerto Rico

Art Department
Susan Benjamin	....	assistant set decorator: Los Angeles
John Berger	....	assistant art director
Kelly Birrer	....	tool keeper
David Brace	....	fixtures
Nelson Bush	....	swing gang
Jamale Case	....	construction medic
Kevin Conlin	....	construction foreman: Puerto Rico
Laura Connors	....	construction auditor
Steve Conrow	....	construction gang boss: East Coast
Nancy Deren	....	set designer
Ray Fisher	....	lead man: East Coast
Francis L. Foley	....	labor gang boss: East Coast (as Frank Foley)
Jack Forwalter	....	second lead man
Scott C. Garrett	....	draper (as Scott Garrett)
Martin Grimes	....	property assistant (as Marty Grimes)
Walton D. Hadfield	....	construction coordinator (as Walt Hadfield)
Gordon Huggins	....	paint foreman: East Coast
Kristin Frances Jones	....	on-set dresser
Pamela Klamer	....	set designer
Patricia Klawonn	....	set designer (as Patty Klawon)
Hugh Landwehr	....	assistant art director: East Coast
Jessica Lanier	....	assistant set decorator: East Coast
George Lee	....	set designer
Juan Carlos Lucca	....	property assistant: Puerto Rico
Nicholas Lundy	....	assistant art director: East Coast
Kacy Magedman	....	art department coordinator
Kevin Mangan	....	greens foreman
Eric Matheson	....	construction foreman: East Coast
Joshua S. Miller	....	property assistant: East Coast
Rhonda Moscoe	....	art department coordinator: East Coast
Jerry Moss	....	property master
Maura Moss	....	prop assistant
Maura Moss	....	prop coordinator
Kadir Nelson	....	conceptual artist
Errol C. Nofziger	....	stand-by painter
James V. Oliveri	....	general foreman: East Coast
Dan Ondrejko	....	greens coordinator (as Daniel L. Ondrejko)
Jose Orozco	....	greensman (as Jose L. Orozco)
Annie O'Sullivan-Pittman	....	draper
James Oxford	....	illustrator
Chris Pascuzzo	....	swing gang
Andrew Petrotta	....	assistant property master (as Drew Petrota)
Lauren E. Polizzi	....	assistant art director (as Lauren Polizzi)
Donald Redoglia	....	construction foreman
David Robbie	....	plaster foreman (as Dave Robbie)
Thomas Sahli	....	labor foreman
Jerry Sargent	....	property foreman: East Coast
Easton Michael Smith	....	set designer
Paul Sonski	....	assistant art director
Carl Sprague	....	set designer: East Coast
Zina Torres	....	assistant set decorator: Puerto Rico
John Tyrrell	....	paint foreman
Tom Walden	....	set dresser: East Coast
Brian Walker	....	construction foreman
James F. Walker	....	general foreman (as James Walker)
Karen Weber	....	buyer: East Coast
Suzan Wexler	....	set designer (as Susan Wexler)
Karen Wiswell	....	art department researcher
Arthur A. Wood III	....	set dresser: East Coast (as Arthur Wood)
Mark Woods	....	lead man
Ian Young	....	construction foreman
Michael E. Allegretto	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Fred Apolito	....	prop shop (uncredited)
Jonathan Askew	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Alexandre Athané	....	intern art department (uncredited)
Mark Bachman	....	principal signwriter (uncredited)
Carlo Basail	....	stand-by greensman (uncredited)
Paul W. Gorfine	....	scenic artist (uncredited)
Sean Hargreaves	....	illustrator (uncredited)
Damon Hight	....	propmaker (uncredited)
Timothy Joliat	....	set dresser: East Coast (uncredited)
Jeff Khachadoorian	....	prop shop (uncredited)
Warren Manser	....	illustrator (uncredited)
Georgie Miranda	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Kim Quam	....	construction medic (uncredited)
Giovanni Rodriguez	....	scenic artist (uncredited)
William C. Salter	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Tyris Smith	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Theodore Suchecki	....	construction gang boss (uncredited)
Suzy Zarate	....	illustrator (uncredited)

Sound Department
Anna Behlmer	....	sound re-recording mixer
Charles L. Campbell	....	supervising sound editor
Jeff Clark	....	sound editor (as Jeffrey A. Clark)
Dean Drabin	....	adr mixer
Jerry Edemann	....	assistant sound editor (as Jerry M. Edemann)
Keith Edemann	....	apprentice sound editor
Louis L. Edemann	....	supervising sound editor
Ronald Eng	....	sound editor
Ed Fassl	....	sound editor (as Edward Fassl)
Alsie L. Florence	....	sound transferer
Richard C. Franklin	....	sound editor (as Rick Franklin)
Leonard T. Geschke	....	sound editor
Hilda Hodges	....	foley artist
Doug Jackson	....	sound editor
Robert Jackson	....	production sound mixer
Ron Judkins	....	production sound mixer (as Ronald Judkins)
Samuel F. Kaufman	....	sound re-recordist
Gary Krivacek	....	sound editor
Mary Jo Lang	....	foley mixer
Ken Miller	....	assistant sound editor
Shawn Murphy	....	sound re-recording mixer
Peggy Names	....	cable person
Chuck Neely	....	sound editor
Howard Neiman	....	sound editor (as Howard S.M. Neiman)
Andy Nelson	....	sound re-recording mixer
Tom Newbon	....	sound engineer
Bruce Richardson	....	sound editor
John Roesch	....	foley artist (as John B. Roesch)
Philip Rogers	....	sound re-recordist
Rod Rogers	....	adr assistant
Larry Singer	....	adr supervisor
Philip J. Slattery	....	apprentice sound editor (as Phil Slattery)
Cary Stratton	....	adr recordist
Carolyn Tapp	....	foley recordist
Bob Weitz	....	sound engineer
Denise Whiting	....	adr editor
Paul Coogan	....	boom operator (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Randy Cabral	....	special effects shop foreman
Jeff Frink	....	special effects foreman
Rafael Pérez	....	special effects assistant: Puerto Rico (as Rafael Perez)
Ed Ricci	....	special effects: East Coast
Tom Ryba	....	special effects supervisor
Greg Aronowitz	....	camera miniature supervisor and constructor (uncredited)
Craig Barnett	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Everett Byrom III	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Evan Campbell	....	sculptor (uncredited)
Tad Krzanowski	....	model effects: WKR Productions (uncredited)
Matt McDonnell	....	special effects technician (uncredited)
Chris L. Ward	....	special effects technician (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Jon Alexander	....	digital effects artist
Jill Brooks	....	associate visual effects producer
Tami Carter	....	digital effects artist
Caitlin Content	....	sabre artist
James Doherty	....	digital modeler
Scott Farrar	....	visual effects supervisor
Kimberly Lashbrook	....	computer graphics resource assistant
Craig Lyn	....	digital modeler
Jodie Maier	....	digital effects artist
Erik Mattson	....	computer graphics supervisor
Denise Ream	....	visual effects producer (as Denise Eleanor Ream)
Kenneth Smith	....	digital timing supervisor
Tony Sommers	....	digital paint artist
Karen Wiswell	....	visual researcher
Rita E. Zimmerman	....	sabre artist
Chris Simmons	....	model maker (uncredited)

Stunts
Robert Apisa	....	stunts
M. James Arnett	....	stunt coordinator
Seth Arnett	....	stunts
Denise Barker	....	stunts
Eric Chambers	....	stunts
Lisa Davis	....	stunts
Richard L. Duran	....	stunts (as Richard Duran)
John Escobar	....	stunts
Mary Fallick	....	stunts
Frank Ferrara	....	stunts
Kevin L. Jackson	....	stunts (as Kevin Lemont Jackson)
Henry Kingi	....	stunts
Irving E. Lewis	....	stunts
David Noble	....	stunts
Alan Oliney	....	on-set stunt coordinator
Jimmy Ortega	....	stunts
Pat Romano	....	assistant stunt coordinator
Sharon Schaffer	....	stunts
Mark Stefanich	....	stunts
Alphonse Walter	....	stunts
Ingrid Walters	....	stunts
Terrence Walters	....	stunts
William Washington	....	stunts
David Williams	....	stunts
Gene Williams	....	stunts
Donna Wilson	....	stunts
Keith Woulard	....	stunts
Chuck Zito	....	stunts
John DePasquale	....	stunt safety diver (uncredited)
Jared S. Eddo	....	stunt performer (uncredited)
Gilley Grey	....	stunts (uncredited)
Toby Holguin	....	stunts (uncredited)
Randy Johnson	....	stunts (uncredited)
Jimmy Romano	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Karine Albano	....	electrician: East Coast
Andrew Barczewski	....	grip (as Andrzez Barczewski)
Carlos Bermudez	....	electrician: East Coast (as Carlos F. Bermudez)
Marek Bojsza	....	electrician (as Marek Bojska)
Eric Boyle	....	grip: East Coast
Arnold F. Brown	....	grip: East Coast (as Arnold Brown)
Tony Campenni	....	grip: East Coast
Lon Caracappa	....	rigging best boy electric: East Coast
Jake Cerrone	....	grip
Andrew Cooper	....	still photographer
Chris Culliton	....	electrician (as Chris M. Culliton)
David Devlin	....	gaffer
Michael DiIeso	....	rigging grip: East Coast (as Michael Di Ieso)
Mitch Dubin	....	camera operator: "a" camera
Roch Dutkowiak	....	electrician
Kevin Erb	....	best boy grip
Kevin Fahey	....	best boy grip
Charley Gilleran	....	key rigging grip (as Charley H. Gilleran)
Ron Goodman	....	camera operator: SpaceCam
Douglas Henri	....	grip
Brent L. Jones	....	grip
Tom Jordan	....	camera loader
Tom Keenan	....	electrician: East Coast (as Thomas F. Keenan)
Michael Kowal	....	grip
Jim Kwiatkowski	....	key grip
Dave 'Lash' LaRue	....	grip: East Coast
Roger Meilink	....	rigging gaffer (as Rodger Meilink)
Steven Meizler	....	first assistant camera (as Steve Meizler)
Larry J. Richardson	....	best boy (as Larry Richardson)
Pete Romano	....	underwater camera operator
Ralph Scherer	....	dolly grip
Mark Spath	....	second assistant camera
Juli Silver Taracido	....	second assistant camera: Puerto Rico
O'Shana Walker	....	best boy: Universal (as Oshana Walker)
William M. Weberg	....	best boy grip: East Coast
Daniel Windels	....	electrician (as Dan Windels)
Steve Alessi	....	dolly grip (uncredited)
Cheli Clayton	....	second assistant camera: second unit (uncredited)
Jaime Costas	....	electrician: Puerto Rico (uncredited)
Phil Darrell	....	rigging electrician (uncredited)
David Devlin	....	additional photographer (uncredited)
Tim Driscoll	....	grip (uncredited)
Mauro Fiore	....	director of photography: second unit (uncredited)
Guy Holt	....	electrician (uncredited)
Ponce Jose	....	electrician (uncredited)
David Larue	....	grip (uncredited)
Pedro Juan López	....	electrician: Puerto Rico (uncredited)
Michael A. McFadden	....	rigging grip (uncredited)
Evan A. Nesbitt	....	first assistant camera: VistaVision camera (uncredited)
Brian A. Pitts	....	rigging electrician (uncredited)
Philip A. Reilly	....	electrician (uncredited)
Scott Romsos	....	electrician (uncredited)
William Trautvetter	....	cinematographer: second unit, Mystic and New York City (uncredited)
Jimi Udel	....	rigging grip (uncredited)
Jerald L. Wilson	....	rigging electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Shane Barach	....	extras casting assistant
Kim Coleman	....	casting assistant
Terrence Harris	....	extras casting
Jose Jimenez	....	casting associate: Puerto Rico
Priscilla John	....	casting: UK/Africa
Renton Kirk	....	assistant extras casting: East Coast
Tere Lopez	....	additional casting: Puerto Rico
Jeanne McCarthy	....	additional casting: Africa
Winsome Sinclair	....	extras casting: East Coast
Chadwick Cohn	....	extras casting (uncredited)
Chris Gray	....	extras casting (uncredited)
Theron Smith	....	extras casting assistant (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Yolanda Carter	....	costumer: East Coast
Ana Cayere	....	costumer: Puerto Rico
Robert Chase	....	costumer: East Coast
Lee Clayton	....	costume cutter
Lee Clayton	....	tailor
Beau Desmond	....	costumer
Daniel Dirks	....	costumer
Sandi Figueroa	....	set costumer
Gina Flanagan	....	costume illustrator
Frank L. Fleming	....	assistant costume designer (as Frank Fleming)
Luz Margarita Fonseca	....	costumer: Puerto Rico
Barbara Hause	....	key principal costumer: East Coast (as Barbara J. Hause)
Sandra Hernandez	....	assistant costume designer
Danielle Hollowell	....	costumer
Askia Won-Ling Jacob	....	set costumer (as Askia Jacob)
Marci R. Johnson	....	set costumer (as Marci Johnson)
Perri Kimono	....	costumer
Suzanne Krim	....	key costumer: Puerto Rico
Lisa Lesniak	....	costumer: East Coast
Cassy McEvoy	....	costumer: East Coast
Sue Moore	....	costume supervisor
Margaret Palmer	....	costumer: East Coast (as Margaret Leigh Palmer)
Ann Powderly	....	cutter: East Coast
Arthur Rowsell	....	dresser: Mr. Hopkins
Laura Sewrey	....	costumer: East Coast
Gladyris Silva	....	costumer: Puerto Rico
Paul Simmons	....	set costumer (as Paul A. Simmons Jr.)
Mari Socorro Pérez	....	costumer: Puerto Rico (as Mari Socorro)
Dawn Testa	....	costumer: East Coast
Joanne Trotta	....	cutter
Sandra Varela	....	costumer: Puerto Rico
Bridgitte Ferry	....	costumer (uncredited)
Armando Milanes	....	wardrobe apprentice (uncredited)
Damien Quinn	....	set costumer (uncredited)
Marilyn Salvatore	....	wardrobe (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Steven W. Bauerfeind	....	apprentice editor (as Steve Bauerfeind)
Gary Burritt	....	negative cutter
Richard Byard	....	first assistant editor
Martin Cohen	....	post-production executive
Patrick Crane	....	first assistant editor
Mike Cuevas	....	post-production assistant
Sven E. Fahlgren	....	post-production coordinator
Dale E. Grahn	....	color timer (as Dale Grahn)
Barry Odom	....	cutter
Michael Trent	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Richard De Armas	....	scoring crew (as Richard DeArmas)
Sandy DeCrescent	....	orchestra contractor
Greg Dennen	....	scoring crew
Mark Eshelman	....	scoring crew
Todd Homme	....	executive in charge of music
Kelly Mahan-Jaramillo	....	assistant music editor (as Kelly Mahan Jaramillo)
Susan McLean	....	scoring crew
Tim Morrison	....	musician: trumpet
Shawn Murphy	....	score mixer
Shawn Murphy	....	score recordist
John Neufeld	....	orchestrator
Conrad Pope	....	orchestrator
Grant Schmitz	....	scoring crew
Sally Stevens	....	choral contractor
James Thatcher	....	musician: French horn
James Walker	....	musician: flute
Kenneth Wannberg	....	music editor
Pat Weber	....	scoring crew (as Patrick Weber)

Transportation Department
Richard P. Abate Jr.	....	driver: East Coast
Richard Abate	....	driver: East Coast
Jim Alfonso	....	driver
Daniel J. Allen	....	driver: East Coast
Fernando Barraza	....	driver
Joseph F. Barth Jr.	....	driver: East Coast
Edward H. Boyaiian	....	driver: East Coast
John Canavan	....	driver: East Coast
Ronald D. Carter	....	driver: East Coast
Ken Catando	....	driver
Robert Chartier	....	driver: East Coast
Peter Clores	....	driver: East Coast (as Peter J. Clores)
Vic Cuccia	....	transportation co-captain
Fred Culbertson	....	driver
John Donahue	....	driver: East Coast
Dana Driscoll	....	driver: East Coast
Deana Duval	....	driver: East Coast
Mike Easter	....	driver: East Coast (as Michael C. Easter)
Don Easy	....	driver
Edward Fanning	....	driver: East Coast
Michael Fennimore	....	driver: East Coast
John D. Frederitz	....	driver
Robert Gaskill	....	driver: Mr. Freeman
James Giblin	....	driver: East Coast (as James S. Giblin)
Robert Gomula	....	driver
George Grenier	....	driver
Steven R. Hammond	....	transportation captain: East Coast (as Steve Hammond)
Joseph Hawkins	....	driver: East Coast
James A. Keegan	....	driver: East Coast
Steven M. Labrie	....	driver: East Coast
Michael LaPlante	....	driver: East Coast (as Michael La Plante)
Dean Macklem	....	driver
Neil Martin	....	driver: East Coast
Walt Miller	....	driver: East Coast
Scott Mundy	....	driver: East Coast
Donald Munroe	....	transportation co-captain: East Coast
William O'Brien	....	driver: East Coast
Eugene O'Neill	....	transportation co-captain: East Coast
Anthony Parillo	....	driver: East Coast (as Anthony Parrillo)
Robert Parker	....	driver: East Coast
Dan Paustian	....	driver: East Coast (as Daniel J. Paustian)
C. William Prink	....	driver: East Coast
Chuck Ramsey	....	driver
Raúl Rivera	....	transportation captain: Puerto Rico (as Raul Rivera)
Dan Romero	....	transportation coordinator
Doug Salomone	....	driver: East Coast
Thomas Sammut	....	driver: East Coast
Mike Shannon	....	driver: East Coast (as Michael Shannon)
Stephen Silva	....	driver: East Coast (as Steve Silva)
Michael Simone	....	driver: East Coast
Stanley Storc	....	transportation captain
Clayton Andrew Sweet	....	driver: East Coast
Ronald J. Tartaglia Jr.	....	driver: East Coast
Ernest J. Thibault	....	driver: East Coast
Shannon Winters	....	driver: East Coast
Dean Winton	....	driver
Bobby Marsh	....	driver (uncredited)
Kathryn Moll	....	driver (uncredited)
Mike Storc	....	transportation (uncredited)

Other crew
Arthur Abraham	....	cultural advisor: Africa
Arthur Abraham	....	language advisor: Africa
Todd J. Adelman	....	medic (as Dr. Todd J. Adelman DCH)
Michael Altman	....	projectionist
Kokayi Ampah	....	supervising location manager
Leslie Barnett	....	assistant: Mr. Wilson
Mei-Ling Belmont	....	staff assistant: Puerto Rico
Nicholas Bernstein	....	location manager: East Coast (as Nick Bernstein)
Sundai Brown	....	set production assistant
John C. Chaney	....	personal assistant: Mr. McConaughey
Bob Collins	....	stand-in
Teresa Conners	....	set production assistant: East Coast
Bernard Dadié	....	poem
Susan Dangel	....	reasearch assistant to John Williams
Chris Daywalt	....	safety coordinator
Maria DeVane	....	post-production accountant
Michael Douglas	....	marine team
Peter J. Dowd Jr.	....	set production assistant: East Coast (as Peter Dowd)
Johnny Egan	....	set production assistant: East Coast
Luis R. Estrella-Rivera	....	location assistant: Puerto Rico (as Luis R. Estrella)
Marc Fusco	....	production assistant: Mr. Spielberg
Matt Galvin	....	office production assistant: East Coast
Cheryl Gibson	....	assistant accountant
Bill Glesne	....	marine team
René González	....	projectionist (as Rene Gonzalez)
Mark Gustawes	....	personal assistant: Mr. McConaughey
Tina Hamilton	....	set production assistant: East Coast
Rick Hicks	....	marine team
Boysie Jereza	....	payroll accountant
Matthew Jerome	....	production assistant
Clifton Johnson	....	researcher (as Dr. Clifton Johnson)
Joy Johnson	....	assistant: Mr. Parkes
Ed Johnston	....	us african search
Karen R. Jones	....	unit publicist
Harry L. Julian Jr.	....	assistant marine coordinator
Harry L. Julian Sr.	....	marine coordinator
Suzanne Jurva	....	head of research
Isabelle Kostic Crosley	....	assistant location manager: East Coast (as Isabelle Kostic)
Linda Kroll	....	assistant: Ms. Macdonald
Mark A. Kurtz	....	office production assistant (as Mark Kurtz)
Dorothy Latham	....	production assistant
Mark Lazo	....	office production assistant: East Coast
Francois Leclair	....	production assistant
James D. Lee	....	location assistant: East Coast (as James Lee)
James MacDonald	....	set medic: East Coast (as Jim MacDonald)
Kara Malkovich	....	set production assistant: East Coast (as Kara Maria Malkovich)
Brian Mannain	....	location assistant: East Coast
Cyndi Martin	....	set production assistant: East Coast
Mike Mason	....	research assistant
Bill McAdams Jr.	....	stand-in (as William McAdams)
Mickie McGowan	....	adr group coordinator
Jason D. McIlroy	....	marine team
Sandra McNeil	....	studio teacher
Ines Mongil-Echandi	....	production coordinator: Puerto Rico
Karen Mouton	....	assistant: Ms. Allen
Luz Eneida Núñez	....	location manager: Puerto Rico (as Eneida Nunez)
Elizabeth Nye	....	assistant: Mr. Spielberg
Barry Odom	....	fitter
Terrell O'Neal	....	stand-in
Margaret J. Orlando	....	assistant production coordinator: East Coast (as Margaret Orlando)
Jay Ostrowski	....	set production assistant
Al Perry	....	marine team
Quentin Pierre	....	personal assistant: Mr. Freeman
Ann Powderly	....	fitter: East Coast
Stanley W. Pratt	....	catering chef
Susan Ray	....	assistant: Mr. Spielberg
I. Renoir	....	researcher (as Renoir I)
Paul 'Sled' Reynolds	....	animal trainer (as Sled Reynolds)
Christina Rollo	....	assistant production coordinator
Marc Roskin	....	set production assistant (as Marc 'Rosco' Roskin)
Peggy Rosson	....	production accountant (as Peggy Ann Rosson)
Mark Russell	....	assistant: Ms. Curtis
Ralph Scott	....	research assistant
Melissa Sheridan	....	office production assistant: East Coast
Jim Slabacheski	....	stand-in
Nick Spetsiotis	....	assistant marine coordinator
Janna Stern	....	script supervisor
Michael Swafford	....	first assistant accountant
Alison A. Taylor	....	assistant location manager
Sofia Tirado	....	staff assistant: Puerto Rico
Joanne Trotta	....	fitter
Jim Turner	....	production controller
Nadia Venesse	....	dialect coach
Kimberly Verros	....	assistant production coordinator
Andrew Ward	....	key set production assistant
Scott Watanabe	....	assistant accountant
Robert West	....	production office coordinator
Jomo Kenyatta Wilson	....	set production assistant: East Coast (as Jomo K. Wilson)
Keri Wilson	....	assistant: Mr. Spielberg
Rob Wong	....	marine team
John 'Magic' Wright	....	craft service (as John C.V. Wright)
Paul O. Wright	....	craft service (as Paul Wright)
Donald E. Wygal	....	office production assistant (as Don Wygal)
Deborah Ambrosino	....	milliner (uncredited)
Tim Bailes	....	marine technical advisor (uncredited)
Melissa Binder	....	textile artist (uncredited)
Matthew E. Chausse	....	production assistant: Newport (uncredited)
Michael Deak	....	puppeteer (uncredited)
Gleanna Doyle	....	animal trainer: dog (uncredited)
Michael Haro	....	location manager (uncredited)
Steve Johnson	....	prosthetic effects creator (uncredited)
Jim Lipman	....	boat captain (uncredited)
Armando Milanes	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Peter V.O. Moore	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Cory C. Myler	....	assistant: Mr. Parkes (uncredited)
Matthew E. Pado	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Dominick Scarola	....	technical assistant (uncredited)
Jeremy Strong	....	production intern (uncredited)
Tony Swatton	....	sword maker (uncredited)
Miles Teves	....	visual development (uncredited)
Mariana Tosca	....	body double (uncredited)

Thanks
Lerone Bennett	....	thanks (as Dr. Lerone Bennett)
Glenda Dickerson	....	thanks (as Professor Glenda Dickerson)
Leslee Feldman	....	thanks
John Hope Franklin	....	thanks (as Professor John Hope Franklin)
Henry Louis Gates	....	thanks (as Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.)
Joseph E. Harris	....	thanks (as Professor Joseph E. Harris)
Howard Jones	....	thanks (as Professor Howard Jones)
Lester P. Monts	....	thanks (as Dr. Lester P. Monts)
Edward Reynolds	....	thanks (as Professor Edward Reynolds)
Rebecca Scott	....	thanks (as Professor Rebecca Scott)
Dominique Sportiche	....	thanks (as Professor Dominique Sportiche)
Eleanor Traylor	....	thanks (as Professor Eleanor Traylor)

Production Companies

• DreamWorks SKG
• Home Box Office (HBO)

Distributors

• DreamWorks Distribution (1997) (USA) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1997) (non-USA) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (2003) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1998) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1998) (Germany) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (1998) (Finland) (theatrical)
• Argentina Video Home (Argentina) (video)
• CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
• CIC-Taft Home Video
• DreamWorks Home Entertainment (USA) (VHS)
• Filmes Lusomundo (Portugal)
• Image Entertainment (USA) (laserdisc)
• Universal Home Video (Brazil) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) (special visual effects)
• Steve Johnson's XFX (prosthetic effects)

Other Companies

• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera equipment provided by
• Christopher Gray Casting  extras casting
• DreamWorks Records  soundtrack
• Jo Anne Kane Music Services  music preparation (as Jo Ann Kane Music Services)
• Movie Movers  cast trailers
• Movie Movers  hair and make-up trailers
• Pacific Title/Mirage  titles and opticals
• Post Logic Studios  digital film mastering
• Rick Brainin Catering Inc.  catering
• Sessions Payroll Management  extras payroll services
• Sony Scoring Stage  score recording
• Spode U.S.A.  china dinnerware
• Steve Johnson's XFX  prosthetic effects
• Technicolor  prints
• Todd-AO Studios  sound re-recorded at

MPAA:

Rated R for some scenes of strong brutal violence and some related nudity.

Runtime:

152 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Mende | Spanish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Brazil:14 | 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)

Filming Locations:

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

DreamWorks SKG

Trivia:

John Quincy Adams addresses the Supreme Court and states that when faced with trouble the Mende people invoke the help of their ancestors. As he mentions this we see a portrait of his father John Adams just over his left shoulder.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The U.S. Flag is improperly displayed on left side of the Speaker's Stand of U.S. House of Representatives Chamber. The U.S. Flag should always be at the right-hand side of the speaker.

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.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Strength and Honor: Creating the World of 'Gladiator' (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

Dry Your Tears, Afrika

excellent, thought provoking tale of the agony of slavery

The horrors of slavery are depicted here in graphic detail. The scenes dealing with the ships carrying their human cargo were awful - very hard to sit and watch. When the slaves were brought to America, a huge trial ensued over whether or not they should be freed or not. This was a big production complete with all the costumes of the era - the early 19th century. Great story, dialogue, and acting made this a must see film.