Amistad – A rousing real tale of slavery, mutiny and freedom
“What is most valuable about Amistad is the way it provides faces and names for its African characters, whom the movies so often make into faceless victims.”
- Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
This is based on a real-life African slave ship mutiny and the subsequent courtroom trial that took place during 1839 in America. Directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg, it revolves around a group of African slaves, who are led by a valiant tribesman.
In 1839, a group of Spaniards sails from Cuba with a ship full of African slaves, against the turbulent weather. After a violent mutiny, Led by the courageous Cinque (Djimon Housou), the African slaves capture the ship, La Amistad. Brutally killing most of the Spanish men on board, they try to redirect the ship towards Africa with the two surviving Spanish sailors. But moving in a wrong direction, the ship reaches America. Eventually, captured by the American authorities, the chained slaves are sent to jail.
In this situation, a resourceful young lawyer, Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey) decides to take the case on behalf of the innocent slaves. At the same time, Spanish Government claims that the slaves belong to them. And the two Spanish sailors assert their ownership over the slaves. Caught in the middle of confusion, the Mende-speaking African slaves are struggling to understand the proceedings at court. Surprisingly, Baldwin’s intuitive arguments make the judge to deliver the verdict in favour of the slaves.
However, listening to his counselor’s words, when the President Van Buren (Nigel Hawthorne) refers the case to Supreme Court, it spells doom for the slaves. Finally, persuaded by the selfless abolitionist Thodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman), the former President John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins), a champion of anti-slavery, appears in the Supreme Court to free the slaves.
“Hounsou, a West African model with beauty and presence but no acting experience, carries much of the movie on his broad shoulders with surprising skill and strength.”
-Rita Kempley
Washington Post
In his career-defining role, Djimon Housou delivers a hauntingly memorable performance.
Appearing as a champion of freedom, the other two lead artistes also make a strong impression with inspiring performances.
In Spanish, the word "Amistad" means friendship.
Although brief, the ‘slave trade’ scenes are evocative and it gives in-depth information about the sorrowful part of history. Enticing cinematography by the ‘Schindler’s List’ fame Janusz Kaminski and awesome period details are added attraction of this moving story.
Wonderfully mixing the dramatic elements in the real-life event, Spielberg created the historic account with rich attention to detail.
Written by
Srini