Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Morgan Freeman | ... | Theodore Joadson | |
Nigel Hawthorne | ... | Martin Van Buren | |
Anthony Hopkins | ... | John Quincy Adams | |
Djimon Hounsou | ... | Cinque | |
Matthew McConaughey | ... | Roger Sherman Baldwin | |
David Paymer | ... | Secretary John Forsyth | |
Pete Postlethwaite | ... | Holabird | |
Stellan Skarsgård | ... | Tappan | |
Razaaq Adoti | ... | Yamba | |
![]() |
Abu Bakaar Fofanah | ... | Fala |
Anna Paquin | ... | Queen Isabella | |
Tomas Milian | ... | Calderon | |
Chiwetel Ejiofor | ... | Ensign Covey | |
![]() |
Derrick N. Ashong | ... | Buakei |
Geno Silva | ... | Ruiz |
Amistad is the name of a slave ship travelling from Cuba to the U.S. in 1839. It is carrying a cargo of Africans who have been sold into slavery in Cuba, taken on board, and chained in the cargo hold of the ship. As the ship is crossing from Cuba to the U.S., Cinque (Djimon Hounsou), who was a tribal leader in Africa, leads a mutiny and takes over the ship. They continue to sail, hoping to find their way back to Africa. Instead, they are misdirected and when they reach the United States, they are imprisoned as runaway slaves. They don't speak a word of English, and it seems like they are doomed to die for killing their captors when an abolitionist lawyer decides to take their case, arguing that they were free citizens of another country and not slaves at all. The case finally gets to the Supreme Court, where John Quincy Adams (Sir Anthony Hopkins) makes an impassioned and eloquent plea for their release. Written by M Parkinson, Sarasota, FL, USA
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.