"The Underground Railroad" (2021 release; 10 episodes ranging from 41 to 78 min.) brings an alternative view/take on the actual Underground Railroad of the 19th century. As Episode 1 "Georgia" opens, we are introduced to Cora and Caesar, the latter being eager to escape the plantation they are on. Upon hearing black music, one of the plantation masters is enraged and whips one of the slaves half to death. "It is past time to go", Caesar implores Cora, and they finally decide to run away in the dead of night...
Couple of comments: this TV series is the brainchild of Oscar winning writer-producer-creator-director Barry Jenkins, working from the novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead. I've not read the book and hence I cannot comment how closely the TV series sticks to the book. The opening episode makes for difficult viewing for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, there is a reason why this series is rated 18, meaning it is unsuitable for anyone under age 18: there are quite a few disturbing scenes in which slaves are whipped, abused and outright lynched/burned alive, all for the entertainment of the plantation's master, who for good measure is reading from the bible to the slaves while a slave is burned alive. Yea, it's like that. The other reason is that this TV series about the Underground Railroad takes historical liberties. No, there wasn't an actual train on rails underground where slaves could hop on on their way to freedom. (The actual Underground Railroad was a secret network of people and safe houses. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center here in Cincinnati, where I live, simply referred to as the Freedom Center by us locals, is an outstanding museum dedicated to this topic. Of course Cincinnati was the first major city across the Dixie line and this region played a major historical role in this important movement.)
Frankly, if it weren't for the reputation of Barry Jenkins, I don't know that I could invest in 10 episodes of this. This is indeed anything but cheerful TV viewing, but it is an important topic that needs to be seen and discussed by many more people. If you have any interest in the Underground Railroad or are simply interested in a disturbing historical era of this country, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.
Couple of comments: this TV series is the brainchild of Oscar winning writer-producer-creator-director Barry Jenkins, working from the novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead. I've not read the book and hence I cannot comment how closely the TV series sticks to the book. The opening episode makes for difficult viewing for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, there is a reason why this series is rated 18, meaning it is unsuitable for anyone under age 18: there are quite a few disturbing scenes in which slaves are whipped, abused and outright lynched/burned alive, all for the entertainment of the plantation's master, who for good measure is reading from the bible to the slaves while a slave is burned alive. Yea, it's like that. The other reason is that this TV series about the Underground Railroad takes historical liberties. No, there wasn't an actual train on rails underground where slaves could hop on on their way to freedom. (The actual Underground Railroad was a secret network of people and safe houses. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center here in Cincinnati, where I live, simply referred to as the Freedom Center by us locals, is an outstanding museum dedicated to this topic. Of course Cincinnati was the first major city across the Dixie line and this region played a major historical role in this important movement.)
Frankly, if it weren't for the reputation of Barry Jenkins, I don't know that I could invest in 10 episodes of this. This is indeed anything but cheerful TV viewing, but it is an important topic that needs to be seen and discussed by many more people. If you have any interest in the Underground Railroad or are simply interested in a disturbing historical era of this country, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.