Solomon Northup's Odyssey 

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 ... See full summary »

Director:

Gordon Parks

Writers:

Solomon Northup (book), Lou Potter (teleplay)

Stars:

Avery Brooks, Rhetta Greene, Mason Adams

1 win.

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Avery Brooks	...	Solomon Northup
Rhetta Greene	...	Jenny
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mason Adams	...	Ford
Ken Broadhurst	...	Bass
Lee Bryant	...	Mrs. Epps
Tony Dreyspool	...	Senator Soule
Anthony Edenfield	...	Ned
Art Evans
Harry George	...	Sherriff
Ann Pearl Gray	...	Kelsey
Janet League	...	Eliza
Charles McGhee	...	Luke
Jay McMillan	...	Harry
Petronia Paley	...	Anne Northup
J.C. Quinn	...	Tibeats

Storyline

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 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 endure the hardships that he has been spared because of his status as a freeman. And his family who don't know what happened to him is searching for him but where do they go? And Solomon also wishes to let them know where he is so that they could get him but unfortunately no one believes his story or is willing to help him.

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Plot Keywords:

slavery | kidnapping | based on book | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 December 1984 (USA)

Also Known As:

Half-Slave, Half-Free

Filming Locations:

Savannah, Georgia, USA

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of 12 Years a Slave (2013)

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Soundtracks

Jenny's Song
Performed by Mandy Gaines

User Reviews

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.