6.5/10
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280 user 124 critic

Harriet (2019)

Trailer
2:32 | Trailer
The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes, whose courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.

Director:

Kasi Lemmons

Writers:

Gregory Allen Howard (screenplay by), Kasi Lemmons (screenplay by) | 1 more credit »
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Popularity
1,020 ( 25)
Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 19 wins & 42 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cynthia Erivo ... Harriet / Minty
Leslie Odom Jr. ... William Still
Joe Alwyn ... Gideon Brodess
Clarke Peters ... Ben Ross
Vanessa Bell Calloway ... Rit Ross
Omar J. Dorsey ... Bigger Long
Henry Hunter Hall ... Walter
Tim Guinee ... Thomas Garrett
Nick Basta ... Foxx
Joseph Lee Anderson ... Robert Ross
Antonio J Bell ... Henry Ross (as Antonio J. Bell)
CJ McBath ... Junyah Ross
Alexis Louder ... Jane
Aria Brooks ... Anger (8)
Janelle Monáe ... Marie Buchanon

The Rise of Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo received two Oscar nominations this year for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role and Best Original Song for Harriet. "No Small Parts" takes a look at her career.

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Storyline

Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, Harriet tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history. Written by Focus Features

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Be free or die See more »


Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Harriet Tubman really did experience visions as is depicted in the film. Many historians claim that this is likely due to a head injury she received in her youth. See more »

Goofs

When Thomas Garrett takes Harriet to the Delaware/Pennsylvania border and tells her Philadelphia is 25 miles away, he points her towards the setting sun, which makes for a good visual scene but Philadelphia is north of Wilmington. Walking towards the setting sun would take her towards Lancaster. See more »

Quotes

Walter: We're gonna need a bigger cart.
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Crazy Credits

1800's type photographs of the cast with their names in the credits. See more »


Soundtracks

Sign of the Judgement
Traditional
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User Reviews

We are reviewing this FILM, which is poor to mediocre, and not Harriet Tubman's life which was one profound heroic courage
28 October 2019 | by random-70778See all my reviews

I wonder if the people giving this film a "nine" or "ten star" review or rating even saw this film? We are rating the film, not the person. If there is a botched and problem ridden film on da Vinci we don't rate the bad film highly because we like the person who is putative its subject.

Please. The scripting is insultingly lowbrow, almost patronizing. The acting talent has a good record in other productions but in this film is unrealized due to the other problems. There are quite a few ahistoric, frankly false, events in this film which are not needed and make the film more a less than credible hagiography as opposed to the plenty sufficient bravery, courage and strength of Tubman herself. Why maker her some kind of mythical comic book type character???? Is this the story about a real life hero, or about a graphic novel superwoman who people will just assume is fictional?

Lastly, I am not a religious believer. I am a confirmed atheist. But I find it troubling that Tubman's deep religious feelings and expression, whihc she used as the main, if not sole lens though which she saw the world, and which motivated her, is discounted.

The film is not a total loss, but Tubman deserves better, much better, as do contemporary audiences.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

USA | China

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 November 2019 (Canada) See more »

Also Known As:

Harriet See more »

Filming Locations:

Richmond, Virginia, USA See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$17,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$11,676,720, 3 November 2019

Gross USA:

$43,082,155

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$43,282,155
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1
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