Amistad (1997)
- Starring:
- Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, (more)
- Director(s):
- Steven Spielberg
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
- Format(s):
- DVD, (View All Versions)
Movies Similar to Amistad
Synopsis of Amistad
This Steven Spielberg-directed exploration into a long-ago episode in African-American history recounts the trial that followed the 1839 rebellion aboard the Spanish slave ship Amistad and captures the complex political maneuverings set in motion by the event. Filmed in New England and Puerto Rico, the 152-minute drama opens with a pre-credit sequence showing Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) and the other Africans in a violent takeover of the Amistad. Captured, they are imprisoned in New England where former slave Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman), viewing the rebels as "freedom fighters," approaches property lawyer Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey), who attempts to prove the Africans were "stolen goods" because they were kidnapped. Running for re-election, President Martin Van Buren (Nigel Hawthorne) overturns the lower court's decision in favor of the Africans. Former President John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) is reluctant to become involved, but when the case moves on to the Supreme Court, Adams stirs emotions with a powerful defense. The storyline occasionally cuts away to Spain where the young Queen Isabella (Anna Paquin) plays with dolls; she later debated the Amistad case with seven U.S. presidents. The character portrayed by Morgan Freeman is a fictional composite of several historical figures. For authentic speech, the Africans speak the Mende language, subtitled during some scenes but not others. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 155 mins
Complete Cast of Amistad
- Morgan Freeman - Theodore Joadson
- Matthew McConaughey - Baldwin
- Djimon Hounsou - Cinque
- Pete Postlethwaite - Holabird
- Anna Paquin - Queen Isabella
- Austin Pendleton - Professor Gibbs
- John Ortiz - Montes
- Razaaq Adoti - Yamba
- Anthony Hopkins - John Quincy Adams
- Nigel Hawthorne - Martin Van Buren
- David Paymer - Secretary Forsyth
- Stellan Skarsgård - Tappan
- Tomas Milian - Calderon
- Jeremy Northam - Judge Coglin
- Arliss Howard - John C. Calhoun
- Director(s):
- Steven Spielberg
- Writer(s):
- David H. Franzoni
- Producer(s):
- Steven Spielberg, Colin Wilson, Debbie Allen
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Adult Situations, Watch With Your Teen, Violence, Questionable for Children)
- Categories:
- Drama
- 1997 - Broadcast Film Critics Association - Best Supporting Actor
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