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12 Years a Slave

  • 2013
  • R
  • 2h 14m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
716K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,360
25
Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.
Play trailer2:27
38 Videos
99+ Photos
BiographyDramaHistory

In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.In the antebellum United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery.

  • Director
    • Steve McQueen
  • Writers
    • John Ridley
    • Solomon Northup
  • Stars
    • Chiwetel Ejiofor
    • Michael Kenneth Williams
    • Michael Fassbender
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    716K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    1,360
    25
    • Director
      • Steve McQueen
    • Writers
      • John Ridley
      • Solomon Northup
    • Stars
      • Chiwetel Ejiofor
      • Michael Kenneth Williams
      • Michael Fassbender
    • 982User reviews
    • 493Critic reviews
    • 96Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #183
    • Won 3 Oscars
      • 242 wins & 337 nominations total

    Videos38

    UK Trailer
    Trailer 2:27
    Watch UK Trailer
    Trailer #1
    Trailer 2:29
    Watch Trailer #1
    12 Years a Slave
    Trailer 2:21
    Watch 12 Years a Slave
    The Rise of Chiwetel Ejiofor
    Clip 4:09
    Watch The Rise of Chiwetel Ejiofor
    12 Years a Slave
    Clip 0:41
    Watch 12 Years a Slave
    12 Years a Slave
    Clip 0:56
    Watch 12 Years a Slave
    12 Years A Slave: I Did As Instructed
    Clip 0:47
    Watch 12 Years A Slave: I Did As Instructed
    12 Years A Slave: A Lusty Visit In The Night
    Clip 0:24
    Watch 12 Years A Slave: A Lusty Visit In The Night
    12 Years A Slave: Welcome To Washington
    Clip 1:09
    Watch 12 Years A Slave: Welcome To Washington
    12 Years A Slave: I Want To Live
    Clip 0:41
    Watch 12 Years A Slave: I Want To Live
    12 Years A Slave: Soap
    Clip 0:41
    Watch 12 Years A Slave: Soap
    12 Years A Slave: What'd You Say To Pats?
    Clip 1:22
    Watch 12 Years A Slave: What'd You Say To Pats?

    Photos200

    Chiwetel Ejiofor and Adepero Oduye in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Paul Dano and Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Sarah Paulson and Michael Fassbender in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Paul Giamatti in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kelsey Scott, Quvenzhané Wallis, and Cameron Zeigler in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, and Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Chiwetel Ejiofor and Benedict Cumberbatch in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Chiwetel Ejiofor in 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    Sarah Paulson and Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years a Slave (2013)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Chiwetel Ejiofor
    Chiwetel Ejiofor
    • Solomon Northup
    Michael Kenneth Williams
    Michael Kenneth Williams
    • Robert
    Michael Fassbender
    Michael Fassbender
    • Edwin Epps
    Brad Pitt
    Brad Pitt
    • Bass
    Dwight Henry
    Dwight Henry
    • Uncle Abram
    Dickie Gravois
    • Overseer
    Bryan Batt
    Bryan Batt
    • Judge Turner
    Ashley Dyke
    Ashley Dyke
    • Anna
    Kelsey Scott
    Kelsey Scott
    • Anne Northup
    Quvenzhané Wallis
    Quvenzhané Wallis
    • Margaret Northup
    Cameron Zeigler
    • Alonzo Northup
    Tony Bentley
    Tony Bentley
    • Mr. Moon
    Scoot McNairy
    Scoot McNairy
    • Brown
    Taran Killam
    Taran Killam
    • Hamilton
    Christopher Berry
    Christopher Berry
    • Burch
    Bill Camp
    Bill Camp
    • Radburn
    Mister Mackey Jr.
    • Randall
    Chris Chalk
    Chris Chalk
    • Clemens
    • Director
      • Steve McQueen
    • Writers
      • John Ridley
      • Solomon Northup
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    A Guide to the Films of Steve McQueen

    A Guide to the Films of Steve McQueen

    Through detailed close-ups, single-take dialogues, and powerhouse performances, Oscar-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen has shown audiences his unflinching perspectives on real-world drama.
    Watch the video
    Editorial Image
    2:08

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The tree where Solomon sees several men being lynched was actually used for lynching, and is surrounded by the graves of murdered slaves.
    • Goofs
      When "Platt" is explaining how to bring the logs down the river, the overseer scornfully asks him where he became an expert in engineering and "terraforming." This a word coined by science fiction author Jack Williamson in 1942, almost exactly 100 years after the scene takes place.
    • Quotes

      Solomon Northup: I don't want to survive. I want to live.

    • Crazy credits
      "Solomon brought the men responsible for his abduction to trial. Unable to testify against whites in the nation's capital, he lost the case against the slave pen owner, James Burch. After lengthy legal proceedings in New York, his kidnappers Hamilton and Brown also avoided prosecution."
    • Connections
      Featured in The Onion Film Standard: 12 Years a Slave (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      My Lord, Sunshine
      Written by Nicholas Britell

      Performed by Roosevelt Credit and David Hughey

    User reviews982

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Live, not just Survive
    Greetings again from the darkness. Should this be labeled a historical drama? Is it one man's extraordinary tale of strength and survival? Does this fall into the "art film" category that so divides the movie-going public? The answer to all is YES, and I would add that it's a masterfully crafted film with exquisite story telling, stunning photography and top notch acting throughout.

    The movie is based on the real life and writings of Solomon Northrup, a free man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery from 1841-53. Northrup's story provides us a look inside the despicable institution of slavery. Needless to say, it's a painful and sad process made even more emotional by the work of director Steve McQueen (Hunger, Shame). McQueen takes a very direct approach. Not much is left to the imagination. Torture, abuse, cruelty and misery take up the full screen. The only subtlety comes from the terrific work of Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northrup. His facial expressions and eyes are more powerful and telling than any lines of dialogue could be.

    You will not find many details from the movie here. This is one to experience for yourself. It lacks the typical Hollywood agenda when it comes to American history. Instead this era is presented through the eyes of a single wronged man and his quest to return to his wife and kids, no matter the inhumane obstacles. We see Paul Giamatti as an emotionless, all-business slave trader. Benedict Cumberbatch is a plantation owner who has a heart, but lacks business savvy. And finally we enter the world of cotton farmer Michael Fassbender, who twists Bible scripture into threats directed at the slaves - his "property".

    Fassbender dives deep into evil to find his character, and along with Ejiofor, Sarah Paulsen (who plays Fassbender's icy wife), and Lupita Nyong'o (who plays slave Patsey, the center of the two most incredible scenes in the film), provide more Oscar worthy performances than any one movie can expect. You will also note Quvenzhane Wallis (as Northrup's daughter) and Dwight Henry (as a slave) in their first appearances since Beasts of the Southern Wild. Other strong support comes from Scoot McNairy, Taran Killam (SNL), Michael K Williams, Alfre Woodward, a nasty Paul Dano, Garret Dillahunt and Adepero Oduye.

    Steven Spielberg gave us a taste of the holocaust with Schindler's List, but not since the TV mini-series "Roots" has any project come so close to examining the realities of slavery. Northrup's story seems to be from a different universe than the charming slaves of Gone with the Wind. I would argue that what makes this watchable (though very difficult) is the focus on Northrup's story. While tragic, his ending actually deflects from the ongoing plight of those not so fortunate. It's a story of a man who states he doesn't wish to merely survive, he wants to live a life worth living.

    McQueen's direction will certainly be front and center come awards season, as will many of the actors, John Ridley (the screenwriter), Sean Bobbitt (cinematographer) and Hans Zimmer (score). The only question is whether the subject matter is too tough for Oscar voters, who traditionally lean towards projects a bit more mainstream.
    helpful•24
    13
    • ferguson-6
    • Oct 27, 2013

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    FAQ11

    • Is '12 Years a Slave' based on a book?
    • Did Solomon really play the violin?
    • Did Solomon's kidnappers really drug him?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 8, 2013 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Twelve Years a Slave
    • Filming locations
      • Madame John's Legacy, the French Quarter, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA(slave pen)
    • Production companies
      • New Regency Productions
      • River Road Entertainment
      • Plan B Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $56,671,993
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $923,715
      • Oct 20, 2013
    • Gross worldwide
      • $187,733,202
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 14 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Surround 7.1
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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