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Amistad

  • 19971997
  • RR
  • 2h 35m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
76K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,747
93
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Amistad (1997)
Theatrical Trailer from Dreamworks
Play trailer2:32
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • History

In 1839, the revolt of Mende captives aboard a Spanish owned ship causes a major controversy in the United States when the ship is captured off the coast of Long Island. The courts must deci... Read allIn 1839, the revolt of Mende captives aboard a Spanish owned ship causes a major controversy in the United States when the ship is captured off the coast of Long Island. The courts must decide whether the Mende are slaves or legally free.In 1839, the revolt of Mende captives aboard a Spanish owned ship causes a major controversy in the United States when the ship is captured off the coast of Long Island. The courts must decide whether the Mende are slaves or legally free.

IMDb RATING
7.3/10
76K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,747
93
  • Director
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Writer
    • David Franzoni
  • Stars
    • Djimon Hounsou
    • Matthew McConaughey
    • Anthony Hopkins
Top credits
  • Director
    • Steven Spielberg
  • Writer
    • David Franzoni
  • Stars
    • Djimon Hounsou
    • Matthew McConaughey
    • Anthony Hopkins
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 254User reviews
    • 88Critic reviews
    • 63Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 4 Oscars
      • 11 wins & 43 nominations total

    Videos2

    Amistad
    Trailer 2:32
    Amistad
    What Are Scorsese and Spike Lee Really Like on Set? Anna Paquin Knows Best
    Video 2:02
    What Are Scorsese and Spike Lee Really Like on Set? Anna Paquin Knows Best

    Photos115

    Djimon Hounsou and Razaaq Adoti in Amistad (1997)
    Steven Spielberg, Debbie Allen, and Razaaq Adoti in Amistad (1997)
    Morgan Freeman, Matthew McConaughey, and Chiwetel Ejiofor in Amistad (1997)
    Djimon Hounsou in Amistad (1997)
    Morgan Freeman in Amistad (1997)
    Djimon Hounsou in Amistad (1997)
    Djimon Hounsou in Amistad (1997)
    Matthew McConaughey and Djimon Hounsou in Amistad (1997)
    Matthew McConaughey and Djimon Hounsou in Amistad (1997)
    Anthony Hopkins in Amistad (1997)
    Matthew McConaughey in Amistad (1997)
    Anthony Hopkins, Djimon Hounsou, and Chiwetel Ejiofor in Amistad (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Djimon Hounsou
    Djimon Hounsou
    • Cinqueas Cinque
    Matthew McConaughey
    Matthew McConaughey
    • Roger Sherman Baldwinas Roger Sherman Baldwin
    Anthony Hopkins
    Anthony Hopkins
    • John Quincy Adamsas John Quincy Adams
    Morgan Freeman
    Morgan Freeman
    • Theodore Joadsonas Theodore Joadson
    Nigel Hawthorne
    Nigel Hawthorne
    • Martin Van Burenas Martin Van Buren
    David Paymer
    David Paymer
    • Secretary John Forsythas Secretary John Forsyth
    Pete Postlethwaite
    Pete Postlethwaite
    • Holabirdas Holabird
    Stellan Skarsgård
    Stellan Skarsgård
    • Tappanas Tappan
    Razaaq Adoti
    Razaaq Adoti
    • Yambaas Yamba
    Abu Bakaar Fofanah
    • Falaas Fala
    Anna Paquin
    Anna Paquin
    • Queen Isabellaas Queen Isabella
    Tomas Milian
    Tomas Milian
    • Calderonas Calderon
    Chiwetel Ejiofor
    Chiwetel Ejiofor
    • Ensign Coveyas Ensign Covey
    Derrick N. Ashong
    • Buakeias Buakei
    Geno Silva
    Geno Silva
    • Ruizas Ruiz
    John Ortiz
    John Ortiz
    • Montesas Montes
    Ralph Brown
    Ralph Brown
    • Lieutenant Gedneyas Lieutenant Gedney
    Darren E. Burrows
    Darren E. Burrows
    • Lieutenant Meadeas Lieutenant Meade
    • (as Darren Burrows)
    • Director
      • Steven Spielberg
    • Writer
      • David Franzoni
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —M Parkinson, Sarasota, FL, USA
    • ship
    • slave ship
    • escape from slavery
    • male full frontal nudity
    • slave trade
    • 84 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • A true story.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • History
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for some scenes of strong brutal violence and some related nudity
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Sir Anthony Hopkins astounded the crew by delivering the entire seven page courtroom speech in a single take. Steven Spielberg was so in awe, he couldn't bring himself to call him Tony, and insisted on addressing him as Sir Anthony throughout the shoot.
    • Goofs
      Martin Van Buren was never photographed while in office, and in 1839 photography was extremely new technology and not widespread. The first president to be photographed while in office was Van Buren's immediate successor William Henry Harrison in March 1841. Van Buren was photographed in 1845, well after he had left office, but he was not wearing a sash as depicted in the movie. Former Presidents John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson were also photographed that same year.
    • Quotes

      John Quincy Adams: [to the Court] This man is black. We can all see that. But can we also see as easily that which is equally true: that he is the only true hero in this room? Now, if he were white, he wouldn't be standing before this court fighting for his life. If he were white and his enslavers were British, he wouldn't be standing, so heavy the weight of the medals and honors we would bestow upon him. Songs would be written about him. The great authors of our times would fill books about him. His story would be told and retold, in our classrooms. Our children, because we would make sure of it, would know his name as well as they know Patrick Henry's. Yet, if the South is right, what are we to do with that embarrassing, annoying document, The Declaration of Independence? What of its conceits? "All men created equal," "inalienable rights," "life, liberty," and so on and so forth? What on Earth are we to do with this? I have a modest suggestion.

      [tears papers in half]

    • Crazy credits
      The events depicted did not historically occur at Fort El Morro
    • Alternate versions
      The board of film censors of Jamaica have excised the opening scenes, depicting a violent slave uprising on a ship, from all copies of the film released in Jamaican theatres.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Alien Resurrection/Welcome to Sarajevo/Flubber/Public Housing/Bent (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      Andante From Quartet No. 2 In B Flat Major
      Written by Giovanni Battista Viotti

      Performed by Quartetto Aira

      Courtesy of Dynamic SRL.

    User reviews254

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    excellent, thought provoking tale of the agony of slavery
    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.
    helpful•38
    18
    • helpless_dancer
    • Mar 29, 1999

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 25, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Mende
      • Spanish
      • Portuguese
    • Also known as
      • Chuyến Tàu Nô Lệ
    • Filming locations
      • San Juan, Puerto Rico
    • Production companies
      • Dreamworks Pictures
      • Home Box Office (HBO)
      • Amblin Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $36,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $44,229,441
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,573,523
      • Dec 14, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $44,229,441
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 35 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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