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Amistad

Play trailer 2:32 Poster for Amistad R Released Dec 10, 1997 2h 32m History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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78% Tomatometer 69 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
In 1839, the slave ship Amistad set sail from Cuba to America. During the long trip, Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) leads the slaves in an unprecedented uprising. They are then held prisoner in Connecticut, and their release becomes the subject of heated debate. Freed slave Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman) wants Cinque and the others exonerated and recruits property lawyer Roger Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey) to help his case. Eventually, John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) also becomes an ally.
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Amistad

Amistad

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Critics Consensus

Heartfelt without resorting to preachiness, Amistad tells an important story with engaging sensitivity and absorbing skill.

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Critics Reviews

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Mike Clark USA Today The narrative perils are daunting in this little-known true tale of a bloody slave-ship rebellion in 1839 and its jumbled aftermath in the U.S. judicial system. Rated: 3.5/4 Jan 9, 2018 Full Review Jason Bailey Vice 'Amistad' may not be the first, or fifth, or tenth film people talk about when Spielberg's name comes up. But it has more moments that will put your hair on end than other filmmakers' best works, and that says something. Dec 15, 2017 Full Review Nell Minow Common Sense Media Powerful story for mid-teens and up. Rated: 4/5 Dec 21, 2010 Full Review Alan Jones Radio Times Although flawed, this chilling movie further reveals Spielberg's skill as an expert film-maker unafraid of tackling heavy political Rated: 3/5 Apr 12, 2024 Full Review Dan DiNicola The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) A much finer movie than Spielberg's sophomoric The Color Purple, it has power and dignity and it leads us into new places. Rated: B+ Jan 10, 2023 Full Review Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies Whether or not Steven Spielberg is the right filmmaker for the job, Amistad tells an important story in not just American but world history. Rated: 3.5/5 Dec 25, 2022 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Hounson is an excellent actor and did a superb job in this movie. Anthony Hopkins was clever as usual. Gotta see this movie. The story will give you a dose of humility. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/30/24 Full Review Tim M More stagey than your average Spielberg drama, Amistad nevertheless has emotional vigor in the right place held aloft by a powerful ensemble. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 04/30/24 Full Review Aidan M Really well done, although the acting is suspect (mainly because of how young some of the stars are) but the film is well done, and tells an important story in history. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/27/24 Full Review Kyle E Another great film from Spielberg Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/24 Full Review Adrian B Strong and touching, with accurate music score by J Williams...too much courtroom cliches, still, epilogue rounds the film up, by masteful directorial hand of Mr Spielberg. Some great acting performances by entire cast. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/02/23 Full Review C This was an ambitious historical movie by Spielberg that got to the heart of slavery in America prior to the Civil War. I thought the movie would have been better had it concentrated more on the actual court cases. I did like that historical figures were portrayed in the movie. Sir Anthony Hopkins was top notch in the movie. At times the movie was slow and meandering. But over all this was a classic Spielberg film. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 06/10/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Amistad

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Cast & Crew

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Steven Spielberg

Director

Morgan Freeman

Joadson

Anthony Hopkins

John Quincy Adams

Matthew McConaughey

Baldwin

Nigel Hawthorne

Martin Van Buren

Djimon Hounsou

Cinque

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Amistad

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Amistad

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1839, the slave ship Amistad set sail from Cuba to America. During the long trip, Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) leads the slaves in an unprecedented uprising. They are then held prisoner in Connecticut, and their release becomes the subject of heated debate. Freed slave Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman) wants Cinque and the others exonerated and recruits property lawyer Roger Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey) to help his case. Eventually, John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) also becomes an ally.
Director
Steven Spielberg
Producer
Debbie Allen, Steven Spielberg, Colin Wilson
Screenwriter
David Franzoni
Distributor
DreamWorks SKG, United International Pictures
Production Co
DreamWorks SKG, Home Box Office (HBO)
Rating
R
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 10, 1997, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 15, 2011
Runtime
2h 32m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Digital, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio
35mm
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