Not quite sure why it has taken me so long to see this film, possibly because it's rarely talked about, but having recen
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Amistad
Innsmouth — 10 years ago(October 03, 2015 06:47 PM)
Not quite sure why it has taken me so long to see this film, possibly because it's rarely talked about, but having recently watched itI can say it is an absolute masterpiece, and perhaps the definitive anti-slavery movie. So much praise has been heaped on 12 Years and Django in recent years, and while they were both interesting and well doneAmistad is just in a whole other league.
What surprised me most was just how shocking the scenes of cruelty are - Django gets the most talk on this regard, but what we see on the slave ship on Amistad is even more disturbing and violent and hard to watch, in my view at least.
But what Amistad also accomplished, beside showing us the graphic details, was sharing the moral message with utmost grace and nobility, providing hope and inspiration in a story where there was little of it to be had. It shines a light in a vast sea of darkness. I was also very pleasantly surprised that the film touched upon the Christian fight against slavery, and the transcendental hope in Christ for all slaves, and all people. But it also didn't shy away from the complexities of the time period.
A very well crafted part-mystery part-court room drama historical narrative as well, with a fantastic cast that today would certainly count as all-star. (Chiwetel Ejiofor is in this one too)
Definitely one of Spielberg's best, which is not easily said.it is unbelievable how much this man ruled the 90's in terms of number of great movies put out.
Arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhBWDzkqEPY -
spookyrat1 — 9 years ago(October 21, 2016 05:20 PM)
I can say it is an absolute masterpiece
Fine film though it is, IMO, it's one of Spielberg's lesser works. However it does give realistic cinematic context to the whole, horrid, slavery as a nineteenth century industry subject.