IMDb > Amistad (1997)
Amistad
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Amistad (1997) -- 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.
Amistad (1997) -- CineMagia.ro - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   26,610 votes
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Down 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Steven Spielberg
Writer (WGA):
David Franzoni (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Amistad on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 December 1997 (USA) more
Genre:
Drama | History | Mystery more
Tagline:
A true story. more
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. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 6 wins & 22 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(50 articles)
Official “Creation” Trailer
 (From Filmofilia. 21 December 2009, 10:10 AM, PST)
Stephen King’s ‘Under the Dome’ to be Produced by Speilberg
 (From Screen Rant. 20 November 2009, 2:35 PM, PST)
User Reviews:
Powerful for Images of Slavery, but Only a Fair Portrayal of Legal Battle more (183 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (verified as complete)

Morgan Freeman ... Joadson
Nigel Hawthorne ... Martin Van Buren

Anthony Hopkins ... John Quincy Adams

Djimon Hounsou ... Cinque

Matthew McConaughey ... Baldwin

David Paymer ... Secretary Forsyth

Pete Postlethwaite ... Holabird

Stellan Skarsgård ... Tappan

Razaaq Adoti ... Yamba
Abu Bakaar Fofanah ... Fala

Anna Paquin ... Queen Isabella
Tomas Milian ... Calderon

Chiwetel Ejiofor ... Ensiign Covey
Derrick N. Ashong ... Buakei
Geno Silva ... Ruiz
John Ortiz ... Montes

Ralph Brown ... Lieutenant Gedney

Darren E. Burrows ... Lieutenant Meade (as Darren Burrows)

Allan Rich ... Judge Juttson
Paul Guilfoyle ... Attorney
Peter Firth ... Captain Fitzgerald

Xander Berkeley ... Hammond

Jeremy Northam ... Judge Coglin

Arliss Howard ... John C. Calhoun
Willie Amakye ... Folowa - Amistad African
Luc Assogba ... Gbatui - Amistad African
Mariah Campbell ... Masery - Amistad African
Habib Conteh ... Bai - Amistad African
Stephen Conteh ... Morlai - Amistad African
Monguehy Fanzy ... Fabanna - Amistad African
Jimmy Fotso ... Kwong - Amistad African
Adekunle Ilori ... Kahei - Amistad African
Sheriff Kargbo ... Almamy - Amistad African
Saye Lah ... Kessebe - Amistad African
Sylvestre Massaquoi ... Santigiie - Amistad African
Samson Odede ... Kpona - Amistad African
Chike Okpala ... Sorie - Amistad African
Willie Onafesso ... Jina - Amistad African
Samuel Pieh ... Suuleh - Amistad African
Lansana Sawi ... Morlu - Amistad African
Abu Sidique ... Tsukama - Amistad African
El Hadj Malik Sow ... Golabu - Amistad African
Lamine Thiam ... Mahmud - Amistad African

Austin Pendleton ... Professor Gibbs
Daniel von Bargen ... Warden Pendleton (as Daniel Von Bargen)

Rusty Schwimmer ... Mrs. Pendleton
Pedro Armendáriz Jr. ... General Espatero (as Pedro Armendariz)
Frank T. Wells ... Crier

Michael Massee ... Prison Guard
Roy Cooper ... Pickney

Jake Weber ... Mr. Wright

Victor Rivers ... Captain 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 (as The Honorable Harry A. Blackmun)
Curtis Shields ... Bassie - Additional Amistad African
Carlos Spivey ... Chike - Additional Amistad African
Charles Udoma ... Kessebe - Additional Amistad African
Andrew L. Josiah ... Tamba - Additional Amistad African
Tony Onafesso ... Baa - Additional Amistad African
Peter Mansaray ... Kapr - Additional Amistad African
Clarence Mobley ... Kenei - Additional Amistad African
Brian Macon ... Yauai - Additional Amistad African
Edward Appiah ... Followolo - Additional Amistad African
Denver Dowridge ... Kpau - Additional Amistad African
Paul Mwakutuya ... Sessi - Additional Amistad African
Rory Burton ... Vakina - Additional Amistad African
Samuel Orekhio ... Fawni - Additional Amistad African
Omo Lara Tosin ... Kula - Additional Amistad African
Ransford Thomas ... Alkali - Additional Amistad African
Juliette Darko ... Teme - Additional Amistad African
Isaac Mayanja ... Sanpha - Additional Amistad African
Charlean Isata Bangalie ... Margru - Additional Amistad African
Roosevelt Flenoury ... Njaooni - Additional Amistad African
M.S. Kaleiwo ... Kaleiwo - Additional Amistad African
Tesfay Yohannes ... Amistad African Extra
George Kamara ... Amistad African Extra
Abdul-Fatai Balogun ... Amistad African Extra
Yaya Sissoko ... Amistad African Extra
Amadou Traore ... Amistad African Extra
Marlon Francis ... 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:

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)
Vincent Lynne-O'Brien ... Plantation Owner (scenes deleted) (uncredited)
Luis Muñoz ... Spanish Slave Guard (uncredited)

Ungenita Prevost ... Tecora Slave (uncredited)
Glendon Rich ... Slave / Abolishionist (uncredited)

John H. Tobin ... Supreme Court Reporter (uncredited)
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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 (music by)
 
Cinematography by
Janusz Kaminski (director of photography)
 
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 .... make up
Deena Adair .... hairstylist: Mr. Freeman
Christine Beveridge .... hairstylist: Mr. Hopkins (as Chrissie Beveridge)
Christine Beveridge .... make up: Mr. Hopkins (as Chrissie Beveridge)
John Blake .... make up
John Caglione Jr. .... makeup artist: East Coast
Mary Cooke .... hairstylist: East Coast (as Mary Cook)
Bill Corso .... makeup assistant department head (as William Corso)
Kelly Gleason .... makeup artist: East Coast
Michael Hancock .... make up: Mr. Freeman (as Mike Hancock)
Carla Joi .... hairstylist
Paula Kelly .... makeup artist: East Coast
Erma Kent .... hairstylist
Robert Laden .... makeup artist: East Coast
Judy Murdock .... make up
Ve Neill .... makeup department head
Victoria M. Porter .... hairstylist: East Coast (as Victoria Porter)
Joseph Michael Regina .... make up (as Joseph M. Regina)
Gerald Riley .... hairstylist
Richard Snell .... make up
John Sobeck .... makeup artist: East Coast
Perri Sorel .... make up
Steven R. Soussanna .... hairstylist (as Steve Soussana)
Linda Stevenson-Khan .... hairstylist (as Linda Khan)
Robert L. Stevenson .... key hairstylist (as Robert Louis Stevenson)
Laini Thompson .... make up
Alicia M. Tripi .... hairstylist
Julia L. Walker .... hairstylist (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 .... leadman: East Coast
Francis L. Foley .... labor gang boss: East Coast (as Frank Foley)
Jack Forwalter .... second leadman
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
Francois Leclair .... production assistant
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 .... standby 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 Petrotta)
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 .... researcher
Arthur A. Wood III .... set dresser: East Coast (as Arthur Wood)
Mark Woods .... leadman
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 .... 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 transfer
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 .... re-recordist
Gary Krivacek .... sound editor
Mary Jo Lang .... foley mixer
Ken Miller .... assistant sound editor
Shawn Murphy .... re-recording mixer
Peggy Names .... sound cable
Chuck Neely .... sound editor
Howard Neiman .... sound editor (as Howard S.M. Neiman)
Andy Nelson .... re-recording mixer
Tom Newbon .... engineer
Bruce Richardson .... sound editor
John Roesch .... foley artist (as John B. Roesch)
Philip Rogers .... 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 .... 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: ILM
Jill Brooks .... associate visual effects producer: ILM
Tami Carter .... digital effects artist: ILM
Caitlin Content .... sabre artist: ILM
James Doherty .... digital modeler: ILM
Scott Farrar .... visual effects supervisor: ILM
Kimberly Lashbrook .... computer graphics resource assistant: ILM
Craig Lyn .... digital modeler: ILM
Jodie Maier .... digital effects artist: ILM
Erik Mattson .... computer graphics supervisor: ILM
Denise Ream .... visual effects producer: ILM (as Denise Eleanor Ream)
Kenneth Smith .... digital timing supervisor: ILM
Tony Sommers .... digital paint artist: ILM
Rita E. Zimmerman .... sabre artist: ILM
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 electric best boy: 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
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 .... loader
Tom Keenan .... electrician: East Coast (as Thomas F. Keenan)
Michael Kowal .... grip
Jim Kwiatkowski .... key grip
Dave 'Lash' LaRue .... grip: East Coast (as Dave 'Lash' La Rue)
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 .... universal best boy (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: Christopher Gray Casting
Jose Jimenez .... casting associate: Puerto Rico
Priscilla John .... casting: U.K. and Africa
Renton Kirk .... assistant extras casting: East Coast
Tere Lopez .... additional casting: Puerto Rico
Jeanne McCarthy .... additional casting
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
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)
Matthew Jerome .... production assistant: costume
Marci R. Johnson .... set costumer (as Marci Johnson)
Perri Kimono .... costumer
Suzanne Krim .... key costumer: Puerto Rico
Dorothy Latham .... production assistant: costume
Lisa Lesniak .... costumer: East Coast
Cassy McEvoy .... costumer: East Coast
Sue Moore .... costume supervisor
Barry Odom .... cutter/fitter
Margaret Palmer .... costumer: East Coast (as Margaret Leigh Palmer)
Ann Powderly .... cutter/fitter: 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/fitter
Sandra Varela .... costumer: Puerto Rico
Lee Clayton .... costume cutter (uncredited)
Lee Clayton .... tailor (uncredited)
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
Sven E. Fahlgren .... post-production coordinator
Dale E. Grahn .... color timer (as Dale Grahn)
Michael Trent .... assistant editor
 
Music Department
Susan Dangel .... research assistant: John Williams
Richard De Armas .... scoring crew (as Richard DeArmas)
Sandy DeCrescent .... orchestra contracted by
Greg Dennen .... scoring crew
Pamela Dillard .... musician: mezzo-soprano soloist
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 recorded and mixed by
John Neufeld .... orchestration
Conrad Pope .... orchestration
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. Boyajian .... 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 .... personal 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 (as Stan Storc)
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 (as Dr. Arthur Abraham)
Arthur Abraham .... language advisor: Africa (as Dr. Arthur Abraham)
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
Mike Cuevas .... office production assistant
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 (as John J. Eagan III)
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
Clifton Johnson .... researcher (as Dr. Clifton Johnson)
Joy Johnson .... assistant: Mr. Parkes
Ed Johnston .... u.s. 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)
Mark Lazo .... office production assistant: East Coast
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 (as Michael Mason)
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
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
Stanley W. Pratt .... catering chef: Rick Brainin Catering
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
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 .... the producers wish to thank (as Dr. Lerone Bennett)
Glenda Dickerson .... the producers wish to thank (as Professor Glenda Dickerson)
Leslee Feldman .... the producers wish to thank: DreamWorks Casting
John Hope Franklin .... the producers wish to thank (as Professor John Hope Franklin)
Henry Louis Gates .... the producers wish to thank (as Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr.)
Joseph E. Harris .... the producers wish to thank (as Professor Joseph E. Harris)
Howard Jones .... the producers wish to thank (as Professor Howard Jones)
Lester P. Monts .... the producers wish to thank (as Dr. Lester P. Monts)
William A. Owens .... the producers wish to acknowledge: his book "Black Mutiny: The Revolt on the Schooner Amistad" as a major source of reference material
Edward Reynolds .... the producers wish to thank (as Professor Edward Reynolds)
Rebecca Scott .... the producers wish to thank (as Professor Rebecca Scott)
Dominique Sportiche .... the producers wish to thank (as Professor Dominique Sportiche)
Eleanor Traylor .... the producers wish to thank (as Professor Eleanor Traylor)
 
Crew verified as complete


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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for some scenes of strong brutal violence and some related nudity.
Parents Guide:
View content advisory for parents
Runtime:
155 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English | Mende | Spanish
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
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) | USA:TV-MA (TV rating) | 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 more
Company:
DreamWorks SKG more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Djimon Hounsou learned Mende for his role as Cinque. more
Goofs:
Continuity: During the scene in which Secretary Forsythe talks with President Van Buren about the dire political consequences of the Amistad Africans being acquitted and suggests dismissing the jury and replacing the judge, there is a bowl of water on the desk at which Van Buren is sitting. During the conversation, the water in the bowl inexplicably changes from clear to dark (presumably its purpose is to clear out the unused ink from quill-pens when Van Buren is done using them, to prevent the hollow part of the quill from getting mucked up with dried ink), then back to clear. 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.
more
Movie Connections:
Spoofed in "Family Guy: No Chris Left Behind (#5.16)" (2007) more
Soundtrack:
Andante From Quartet No. 2 In B Flat Major more

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User Reviews

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13 out of 20 people found the following review useful.
Powerful for Images of Slavery, but Only a Fair Portrayal of Legal Battle, 12 February 2006
8/10
Author: Barky44 (barkybree@cox.net) from United States

I am a fan of historically-based dramas. I enjoy the genre, and Amistad did not disappoint me. It is well shot, the look and feel is quite right, and it pulls no punches in its cruel depiction of the slave trade.

Amistad shows this terrible business better than any other film I've ever seen. It portrays all the horrors: the capture of Africans at the hands of rival tribes; the abusive loading of slaves onto ships; the deplorable conditions; the murder and violence conducted in the name of economics; the hopelessness of the slaves' position; the crass indifference felt by the traders, auctioneers, owners and passers-by. Spielberg pulled few punches, only darkening the worst scenes to keep it from degenerating into some Rob Zombie horror film (thereby retaining an audience).

The film also does a good job with the portrayal of the heroes, the slaves who fought for their freedom aboard the schooner Amistad. You can really feel their anger, confusion, and frustration as the events unfold. They are a people pushed from one holding cell to another, subjected to trials and procedures incomprehensible to them (both for language barriers and for the inanity of it all).

One part the filmmakers did a fine job with was the communication barrier. Some of the best scenes involve the ignorance of the Connecticut gentry as they stare blankly at the Africans as they speak their tongue; incompetent linguists stating the obvious and disguising it as "science"; lawyers trying to figure out the slaves' stories; and finally the leader of the escaped Africans declaring "Give us free!" That part really stood out for me.

There are a few criticisms I can lay upon this film, however. Firstly, they didn't do that great of a job in portraying courtroom drama. Filmed in '97, this film predates some great television courtroom dramas (Law & Order, The Practice). Much of what happens in court is either boring or confusing or pointless. I think if Spielberg was able to study some of these great courtroom dramas, these parts would have had a lot more "punch". Having said that, Anthony Hopkins did some fine delivery as John Quincy Adams...

Another element I disliked was the clumsy interweaving of the "Big Slavery Picture" elements. There's a scene at President Van Buren's state dinner where Senator John Calhoun of South Carolina shows up and makes threats of civil war. The scene was really just thrown in there to try to put in some jeopardy, but the film was doing just fine without that. The intrigue between Van Buren and the Spanish girl queen was really nice, however (a very young Anna Paquin!).

The last element that didn't work too well was Morgan Freeman's character, Joadson. He really comes across as little more than an extra. He's such a fine actor, the script doesn't do him justice.

For the most part, this is a fine, and important, film. It just misses a few marks that would have made it a great film.

8 out of 10.

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Best monologue ever? lovesmesomepancakes
Historically inaccurate and laughable film Epicureum
Any other Similar Movies like this? HELP!!! Becks07
Justice Blackmun: how did Spielberg pull this one off? matthewparry
Why Slaves? NewCliches
Language problem at the 'Tecora' ED_VSIII
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