Solomon Northup's Odyssey

Episode aired Dec 10, 1984
Not RatedNot Rated
1h 55m

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

268

YOUR RATING

Comedy Drama Romance

This is based on a true story. Solomon Northrop is a black man in the mid 19th century before slavery was abolished. He's a born freeman who works as a carpenter and is also a part time musi... Read allThis is based on a true story. Solomon Northrop is a black man in the mid 19th century before slavery was abolished. He's a born freeman who works as a carpenter and is also a part time musician. One day he is approached by some men who want him to play for them. However, that is... Read allThis is based on a true story. Solomon Northrop is a black man in the mid 19th century before slavery was abolished. He's a born freeman who works as a carpenter and is also a part time musician. One day he is approached by some men who want him to play for them. However, that is not their intention; they have kidnapped him and sold him into slavery. Now he has to end... Read all

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

268

YOUR RATING

- Gordon Parks
- Solomon Northup(book "Twelve Years A Slave")
- Lou Potter(teleplay)
- Samm-Art Williams(teleplay)
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See more at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win

Soundtracks
Jenny's Song
Performed by Mandy Gaines

User reviews6

Review

Featured review

7/10

A very entertaining film

I had never heard of "Solomon Northup's Odyssey" so I didn't expect much, but I was pleasantly surprised at how good this film was. The story is about the title character, a free black man struggling to make a living in the state of New York during the late 1840's. He's kidnapped by two white men who sell him into slavery. Almost all of the movie focuses on his life as a slave and his strong determination never to accept that he's owned by another.

The performances are generally good all around. Avery Brooks, admittedly not one of my favorite actors due to his tendency to overact, occasionally does so, but not enough to spoil the film (but enough to just slightly lower how many stars I gave it overall). Another wise approach to the film is that the white characters are not all portrayed as stereotypical foaming at the mouth racists; some are good, some are bad, some are both.

You'll find yourself totally engrossed in the life of Solomon Northup, feeling his pain as he tries to maintain his dignity as a free man forced into slavery.

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