Amistad

Rating:
Summary: Great Piece of Revisionist Propaganda
Review: Another Spilbergian piece of Hollywood propaganda about how slavery was bad and it was all Whitey's fault. Funny that Spielberg chooses to omit the African character's lucrative enterprise in the slave trade when he returns to his homeland. Maybe he should make more movies about the countless Africans who enslaved other Africans to explain how they eventually came to America: after all as Caine said, "Am I not my brother's keeper?" So much for the "brother" myth.

The movie is filled with false historical characters and gives the impression that the civil rights movement well underway as early as in the 1840s: baloney! Even in the 1860s, abolitionism was nothing but propaganda to lure ignorant zealots as canon fodder to the front lines of the Civil War; the cause of the conflict being a lot more disturbing: carpetbagging industrialists looking for low paying factory slaves to the north and snug plantation dixiecrats wanting to keep their slaves south of the Mason-Dixie line. Perhaps Spielberg should make a movie explaining why the KKK was formed in Connecticut.

Maybe someone will have the guts to do a movie about these truths without the thin sugar coating ready to be licked by ignorant masses drooling for lies. Until then, I'll have to continue turning my head in disgust at this Hollywood drivel.

Rating:
Summary: History Re-written
Review: Great work by Hollywood, launched the career of Denzel, etc., etc., but DON'T TAKE THIS AS A HISTORY LESSON. The US Army outlawed the lash prior to the war. Spain banned slavery in 1650. The character played by Honsou did indeed return to Africa....where he himself became involved in the slave trade for profit & revenge! Go read "Prince Among Slaves" by Terry Alford for an accurate picture of slavery in that time and place.

Rating:
Summary: Typical Spielberg Excellence!
Review: I just recently got a chance to see this on TV, as I missed it back during it's release. As always Spielberg's methods draw you into the picture and capture you for the entire length of the movie. "Amistad" is a great historical Drama based on a true story about a ship load of African slaves that had mutineed against their spanish captors and landed on the shores of America, and the ensuing legal battle deciding thier fate (do they go back to the spainish government? the slave traders? or do they go free?).

With such an interesting tale to tell, and such excellent implimentation, it's hard not to like this movie. Spielberg had many obviously inspired moments in this film, showcasing the relationship of the slaves and their lawyer and the struggle to understand one another and flashbacks of the brutality the slaves had endured at the hands of their captors. The movie has many memorable moments that will stay with you and many parts that make interesting statements about human nature. One such interesting scene has the africans looking through a bible that was given to them, and they try to make sense of it, even though they know no english, by the pictures alone. One really gets the sense of what it must be like to be among and at the mercy of a strange and foreign culture.

A wonderful film.

Rating:
Summary: La AMISTAD, the "Friend-Ship" saga; Give Us... Us Free!
Review: Steven Spielberg and Debbie Allen's exercise of poetic license through this docudrama frames another awesome revelation of the historic, bitter Slavery roots of noble America, a nation of immigrants. It lends a new appreciation for the term "African American", just as elsewhere we have come to better understand "Native American". It is "a story about mankind... the very nature of man".

The epic human struggle combined with the historic realities of effects like Jefferson-Hennings descendants and an American President's recent symbolic pilgrimage to the "point of no return" on Coreo Island off the coast of West Africa are instructive of the noble spirits of American liberty springing in part from the tortured roots of Slavery, and provides this old white guy with a far better insight into the imperatives for an African American (Smithsonian) Museum.

Those great cultures forcibly contributed much of the basic values of our America; and these, our roots in splendid diversity, allow a far more robust and spiritual human ecology that we know as America, compared to the centuries of virulently tribal isolationism elsewhere now so obviously center stage in world affairs.

Rating:
Summary: So what if history is made more entertaining?
Review: Have the critics of this film's historical "accuracy" never heard of "dramatic license"? If they had, then they would understand that Spielberg, like most of his profession, slightly alters history to make for greater theatrical effect or even heighten the events of the story. "Amistad" achieves both with scenes of horror combined with those of great poignancy that make for a total movie experience.

While there are times when the film drags, the performances and the engrossing story itself make up for the few inadequacies. Though stars Morgan Freeman (especially riveting in the inspection of the Amistad scene), Anthony Hopkins, and Matthew McConaughey perform well in their respective roles, the best acting belongs to Djimon Hounsou, Razaag Adoti, and Abu Bakarr Fofanah as three of the Africans, and the underrated Pete Postlethwaite as prosecutor Holabird. Nigel Hawthorne, as the inept President Van Buren, and Peter Firth as a conscious-ridden British ship captain are also memorable.

Spielberg skillfully balances a movie that is a courtroom drama mixed with an indictment against the slave system of America's past. The scenes of the events of the cursed "Middle Passage" are as graphic as is possible within the confines of Hollywood filmmaking.

John Williams contributes a beautiful and understated score, just below the surface of the on-screen events, providing just enough to carry the story along.

Rating:
Summary: A History We Should All Learn
Review: Amistad is a very moving and thought provoking movie. It gives us a look at a part of our past which we should all learn more about.

The story focuses on the struggle of illegally captured Africans to re-gain their freedom and return to their native Africa. The Africans are captured, transported to Cuba and then transferred to another ship, La Amistad, for the final leg of their journey. However, there is a mutany and the Africans seize control of the ship. All but two of the white crew members are killed during the mutany. When the ship nears land, Long Island, to replenish deminished water supplies, they are captured and face trial for murder.

The drama that unfolds is fastening and disturbing. The struggle over freedom is based in determining if the Africans are actually illegally seized Africans or if they are slaves, that is if they were born into slavery, and therefore property.

The ensuing legal battle gives the viewer a look into the many conflicting forces that were at play in the United States during the 1830s. It is also a sobering look at how the politically powerful tried to manipulate the legal system to get their desired ends.

Cast is very strong and gives a very moving performance.

Rating:
Summary: We Hold These Truths To Be Self Evident....
Review: This review refers to the Dreamworks Doby Digital Edition.....
Based on actual events, Steven Spielberg and Debbie Allen collaberate to bring us one of the many heartwrenching stories of the plight of Africans,during the illegal slave trade of the 1800's.
A group of African people who were brutally draggged from their villages are being transported for slave trade. Only knowing that they are chained and mistreated one man,breaks loose and leads a rebillion against the ship's crew. In order to ensure their own freedom they must take the lives of their captors. They are discovered in American waters, and a trial ensues as to the question of murder.
It becomes an international case. Everybody from the queen of Spain to the owners of the ship "Amistad" are claiming ownership of these men and women. Being pre-civil war, the abolishionists are also making a case for their freedom.This is a case that could lead America one step closer to Civil War.
One property lawyer who has never worked on a case of this proportion, takes on the task of trying to prove that these are not plantation slaves,but citizens of Africa taken by force and did what they needed to do to be free, as any American would do the same. His task is a difficult one,but as the tragic story of these people unfolds he is able to put on his defense. They also get some help from the ex-president John Quincy Adams,whose eloquence puts the Declaration of Indepence to the test.
This is a magnificent piece of cinema in all respects. Spielberg brings to our attention yet another important piece of history that was cruel and inhuman,one of American history that we were hardly aware of.It is an epic film that will wash over you with several different emotions, and you will want to watch it again and again.
No big introduction needed for most of the cast who seemed perfectly fitted to their roles. Matthew McConaughey outstanding as the lawyer, Sir Anthony Hopkins is brilliant as Adams, Morgan Freeman and Stellan Skarsgard are totaly believable as the abolishionists,and Pete Postlethwaite perfect as the lawyer for the prosecution. Also in a sterling performance is Djimon Housnsou as Cinque, the spokesperson for the Africans. His portrayal of the enslaved man who only wants his freedom will captivate you.I must also make mention of Nigel Hawthorn and David Paymer for their wonderful performances.The cinematography is breathtaking. The music scored by John Williams and especially the African music will stay with you long after the movie. You will also be impressed with the costume designs. The film was nominated for four Academy awards,including one for Best Supporting for Hopkins.
The DVD is top quality.The Widescreen(Anamorphic) gives us an incredible view of everything going on in the courtroom scenes and on the ocean voyages. The picture does justice to the great cinematography. It is clear and crisp, colors are vibrant. Nighttime scenes are vivid as well. The 5.1 Dolby Dig surround fills the room. It can also be viewed in the 2.0 stereo. The special features,including a behind the scenes featurette are informative as well as entertaining. There is closed captions if needed.
You will not be dissapointed with either the film or the DVD transfer, it is one that will be a great addition to your collection. Watch it again and again.......Laurie

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Beutiful, historically accurate movie
Review: To those that say that this is historically inaccurate: watch the dvd extras. They did to the greatest ability make this movie accurate. And if you go to John Quincy Adam's house preserved today you will find some things like Cinque's chains and other things so he DID MEET HIM. So you historical "experts" are mistaken.

Anyway this movie is absolutely excellent. My second favorite movie to crouching tiger, hidden dragon. Speilberg did an excellent job and Anthony Hopkins was Steller as his role as john quincy adams. As I said, many of these negative reviews are mistaken and I disagree Wholeheartedly.

Rating:
Summary: Can't agree with some reviewers
Review: I saw nothing sanitized about this movie. The images some have described here as beautifying the slave trade,etc.,are dead wrong,I think.I was overcome with sadness and grief and shame and horror.Nothing about this movie was beautiful,unless it was the dignity and courage of Cinque.It was a gut-wrenching experience for me .One that took a long time to begin to deal with. I think this movie would make most people delve further into the history of this country,and the shameful practices we willingly,blithely,and apathetically participated in.It should be required viewing by all high-school students,along with "Schindler's List,"and "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee," among others.We need to be made to squirm,and therefore,think.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing work from Spielberg
Review: Call me naive but I figured Amistad was a movie that would show the horror of the transatlantic slave in much the same way Spielberg used Oscar Schindler's story to show the tragedy of the holocaust. What do we get instead? A courtroom drama. At a point I was wondering if this was a movie about the escaped Africans or the greatness of John Quincy Adams. There is a scene where Morgan Freeman vainly struggles to look noble and inspired after a summation by Adams which leaves us in no doubt of the answer to that question in Spielberg's mind.
It is really curious how the Africans seem to disappear in a movie about them. With the exception of Cinque, no black character is really fully developed. The atrocities endured by the slaves in the middle passage are shown in very brief taut scenes. Even the most shocking lacks the emotional impact of the scene where Amon Goethe decides to use a young boy for target practice because we do not have enough time to know the victims.
Perhaps it is really asking too much for any white American to make a picture about slavery on the same level as Schindler's list. There is after all a question of guilt and no one likes to feel guilty. It is the same reason you don't find German directors making movies about the holocaust. Imagine what would have happened if Spike Lee had directed this joint.
Amistad has its moments. For example a scene where Cinque and his friend try to interpret the bible is very touching. However I cannot recommend this movie. Pick up a copy of the book, "The interesting narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano" instead. Olaudah was an 18th century Igbo slave from my own neck of the woods in Nigeria. His perspective will give a truer picture of the horrors of slavery.