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12 Years a Slave (2013)

R | | Biography, Drama, History | 8 November 2013 (USA)
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In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.

Director:

Writers:

(screenplay by), (based on "Twelve Years a Slave" by)

Stars:

, , | See full cast & crew »
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Top Rated Movies #202 | Won 3 Oscars. Another 235 wins & 326 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
... Solomon Northup
... Uncle Abram
Dickie Gravois ... Overseer
... Judge Turner
... Anna
... Anne Northup
... Margaret Northup
Cameron Zeigler ... Alonzo Northup
... Mr. Moon
... Brown
... Hamilton
... Burch
... Radburn
Mister Mackey Jr. ... Randall
... Clemens
See full cast »
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Storyline

Based on an incredible true story of one man's fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty personified by a malevolent slave owner, as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon's chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life. Written by Fox Searchlight

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

torture | whipping | slavery | male frontal nudity | separation from family | See All (106) »

Taglines:

The extraordinary true story of Solomon Northup

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence/cruelty, some nudity and brief sexuality | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook | Official site |  »

Country:

|

Language:

Release Date:

8 November 2013 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Twelve Years a Slave  »

Filming Locations:

 »
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Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$923,715, 20 October 2013, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$56,671,993

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$187,733,202
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

, ,  »
Show more on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Digital DTS Sound)| | |

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Before filming their more brutal scenes together, Lupita Nyong'o and Michael Fassbender performed a ritual of "making nice." According to Nyong'o, "We wouldn't say anything to each other, just a look in the eye and a grasping of hands. Our characters are in such opposition, but we as actors needed each other in order to be able to go the distance." See more »

Goofs

In the opening shots, a violin is being played and tuned. The light passes completely through the strings revealing they are not made of any natural product or twining, but plastic or nylon. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Overseer: Alright now, y'all fresh niggers. Y'all gonna be in the cuttin' gang.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Eretz Nehederet: Episode #11.9 (2014) See more »

Soundtracks

Apache Blessing Song
Written and Performed by Chesley Wilson
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Did Solomon's kidnappers really drug him?
Q: Did Solomon really play the violin?
Q: Who was responsible for Solomon's release?
See more »

User Reviews

 
Masterpiece.... o_o;;
19 October 2013 | by – See all my reviews

so incredible.... the trailers don't do any justice to the film. it's so powerful lingering unconventional it presents so many variables to that system one might not consider. the situations they show linger and you get the full effect of them too. you really get the sense that it is based on an account. characters will appear and vanish. they will not have little arcs and get give the audience satisfaction. it just is what it is. nothing is edited to bits either. this film is the work of a genius!

and about the musical selection, good lord. there are long bouts of silence and parts where it just freaks you out. it was really effective and hypnotizing. I was surprised to see Hans Zimmerman did the music. this is far beyond anything I've heard from him. Not the usual inception foghorns or military hum drum. also a great deal of real folksongs incorporated into it. I love when films incorporate the actually used folksongs. period pieces should be filled with music. when there were no modern devices people would sing!

people can't say that this is unrealistic either as it's an actual account. glad McQueen brought it to the public eye and in such an untethered fashion. I'll probably watch this on repeat when it comes out. I'll have to check out McQueen's other films. haven't seen them yet for some reason
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