Beloved (1998)

Based on the book by Toni Morrison, in which a slave is visited by the spirit of her deceased daughter.

Director:

Jonathan Demme

Writers:

Toni Morrison (novel), Akosua Busia (screenplay),

Stars:

Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, Thandie Newton

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 20 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Oprah Winfrey	...	Sethe
Danny Glover	...	Paul D Garner
Thandie Newton	...	Beloved
Kimberly Elise	...	Denver
Beah Richards	...	Baby Suggs, aka Grandma Baby
LisaGay Hamilton	...	Younger Sethe
Albert Hall	...	Stamp Paid
Irma P. Hall	...	Ella
Carol Jean Lewis	...	Janey Wagon
Kessia Embry	...	Amy Denver (as Kessia Kordelle)
Jude Ciccolella	...	Schoolteacher
Anthony Chisholm	...	Langhorne
Dorothy Love Coates	...	M. Lucille Williams
Jane White	...	Lady Jones
Yada Beener	...	Denver aged 9

Storyline

After Paul D. finds his old slave friend Sethe in Ohio and moves in with her and her daughter Denver, a strange girl comes along by the name of "Beloved". Sethe and Denver take her in and then strange things start to happen...

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Plot Keywords:

spirit | farm | ohio | freedom | slavery | 

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Taglines:

The past has a life of its own.

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violent images, sexuality and nudity

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Agapimeni

Filming Locations:

Fair Hill Natural Resources Area - 376 Fair Hill Drive, Fair Hill, Maryland, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$53,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£74,302 (UK) (5 March 1999)

Gross:

£148,377 (UK) (12 March 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clinica Estetico, Harpo Films, Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

172 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Oprah Winfrey purchased the film rights to the novel in 1987. She claims that while reading the book, she could only picture herself as Sethe and Danny Glover as Paul D. It took her ten years to get the film made, which she finally had to produce herself.

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Goofs

In the scene with a deer in the field, a car is visible driving by in the upper right hand corner.

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Quotes

Baby Suggs: Over yonder, they do not love your flesh. Oh, my people... they do not love your hands. Those, they only use, tie, bind, chop off and leave empty! Love your hands! Raise them up, and kiss them.

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Connections

Referenced in Californication: LOL (2007)

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Soundtracks

"Sethe's Lullaby"
Written by Toni Morrison and Rachel Portman
Performed by Oprah Winfrey

User Reviews

close to film perfection

I saw this amazing film at the theatre and was skeptical going in due to Oprah's campaigning for it so heavily but was blown away regardless--after watching it again I understand her pleas. This stunning story and its brilliant execution by an outstanding director, cast and crew was seen by far too few people. It should have swept the oscars and if I recall--was merely nominated for costume design the same year that literally no black actors, directors, or films were nominated in any of their categories. wow--a real eye opener on how little respect good art recieves even today--let alone artists of color. I'd like the opportunity to tell each and every member of the cast how astonished I was even hours later. A beautiful, rich, and generous film. An earnest thank you to everyone who helped get it made. Bravo and thank you!