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Nelland#39;estate del 1839, in una notte di tempesta, nel mare a largo di Cuba 53 schiavi africani imbarcati sulla nave spagnola and#34;la Amistadand#34; riescono a liberarsi e, guidati da Cinque, assumono il
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30 of 30 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
Amistad was released in the UK cinema just a few months before Saving Private Ryan. The hype surrounding Ryan, Spielberg and Dreamworks at the time seemed to overshadow the fact that Dreamworks first Spielberg film, Amistad had been released. This could account for the relatively modest numbers of bums on seats. Which is a crying shame. Whilst Amistad may not have the shattering impact of Schindler's List or Saving Private Ryan, this is great Spielberg film-making, full of moments of magical cinema. Based on the true story of a slaves revolt on the ship Amistad, subsequent capture and trial in America, the script provides the all-start cast ample opportunity to flex their jaw-muscles. Particularly outstanding is the performance of Djimon Hounsou one of the slaves struggling for freedom. Overall this is one of the best films of the late 90s - if you didn't get to see it at the cinema, catch up with it now on video.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Steven R. McEvoy
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
Amistad is a true story about an 1839 mutiny aboard a slave ship that is traveling towards North America. It is a story in the period when new slaves were illegal, but trading in slaves that were already slaves, was allowed. With a powerful all-star cast including Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins and Matthew McConaughey, it is a story that will grip your heart and move your spirit. Much of the story takes place in a courtroom drama about the free-man who led the revolt, and deals with questions of freedom, humanity and dignity.
The movie, though slow moving, is intense, and the drama builds as many groups claim the slaves as their property. This story is truly gripping and a story of extreme importance in understanding our own history. This lesser-known Spielberg film is truly a must see.
The movie, though slow moving, is intense, and the drama builds as many groups claim the slaves as their property. This story is truly gripping and a story of extreme importance in understanding our own history. This lesser-known Spielberg film is truly a must see.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
Most reviewers either seemed to love or hate this film. I ended up somewhere in the middle, hence the three stars.
At its best, "Amistad" reminds us that the evil of slavery caused terrible suffering to real people and that its abolition was one of the greatest achievements of the nineteenth century. In a world where there are still pockets of slave commerce, it is a reminder of how serious this evil is. The re-creation of a Portugese slave ship and the horrors inflicted on its victims was very well done, and to me the most powerful sequence in the film was that where chained slaves are dragged over the side to drown due to the crew miscalculating the amount of supplies required for the crossing.
At its worst the film contained some sequences which appeared to be overly artificial. Anthony Hopkins is an excellent actor, but there is something unconvincing about his portrayal of John Quincey Adams - it just seemed too saccharine. As I am not familiar with the details of the actual court case I cannot say anything with authority, but the version in the film seemed rather formulaic - hopeless case gains unexpected triumph at hands of struggling young lawyer (seems a bit familiar), then there is a reversal of fortunes, but triumph in the end. The scene of the destruction of the slavers' base in Sierra Leone seemed rather tagged on the end, but did at least give a pleasant reminder that for once the British were on the side of the angels and morally ahead of those nasty colonials who did not stop trading human lives for money until forced to.
Bottom line? There are a lot of third rate movies out there and this is definitely not one of those. It is a film that is worth the time to watch, but I had hoped for better.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
`Amistad' is an uncomfortable reminder of a fact that many Americans would like to ignore. That having supposedly overthrown the oppressive rule of King George III on the grounds that "All men are created equal," (with I might add, massive support from the Despotic Monarchy of France,) the `Evil' British Empire banned slavery decades before they did. That Abraham Lincoln only banned slavery and fought the Civil War because it was a hindrance to trade with that Empire. And that even now, America is a Nation of Democracy and Freedom for everyone, as long as they are rich, Protestant, speak English and most importantly, are white.
In the words of Anthony Hopkins, playing the role of John Quincy Adams as he defends the man who fought and killed to free himself and the rest of the Spaniard's `Property,' "If he were white and his oppressors had been British, he would not be able to stand for the weight of medals we would pin upon his chest"
Having been born in Hull and visited the William Wiberforce Museum on many occasions, I can say for certain that in this film, the recreation of the abuse and murder of slaves taken from Africa is more compelling than a thousand museum exhibits. And before they continue spreading their hypocritical dream of `Freedom & Democracy' across the world, the Americans should first admit the truth about their terrible past.
In the words of Anthony Hopkins, playing the role of John Quincy Adams as he defends the man who fought and killed to free himself and the rest of the Spaniard's `Property,' "If he were white and his oppressors had been British, he would not be able to stand for the weight of medals we would pin upon his chest"
Having been born in Hull and visited the William Wiberforce Museum on many occasions, I can say for certain that in this film, the recreation of the abuse and murder of slaves taken from Africa is more compelling than a thousand museum exhibits. And before they continue spreading their hypocritical dream of `Freedom & Democracy' across the world, the Americans should first admit the truth about their terrible past.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Jenny J.J.I.
Format:DVD
I'm a fan of the movies put out by Steven Spielberg. He has taken true historical events and turned them into such captivating beautiful movies that none can compare. What Spielberg did for the Holocaust in "Schindler's List," and WWII in "Saving Private Ryan," he did with our terrible past of slavery in "Amistad." This film's strength is in its portrayal of the horrible treatment of the Sierra Leone Africans who are illegally captured for slaves in the 19th century. This movie, and the event itself, was not about freedom of slaves in America over an American issue, but instead about whether slaves on a Spanish vessel were illegally captured or if they were what lawyers in the film called "livestock" in the Spanish Empire when they killed all but a few of the boat-masters. The film portrays this and then the morality of slavery in an unobtrusive way, and that's what makes this movie great along with the score, which I believe should have gotten at least a nomination.
The film is gilded by beautiful sets and costumes where even "Doctor Zhivago" pales in comparison. The photography was more than stunning. However, the film is slightly marred by the somewhat empty performances by some of Americans in the film who lack emotion and engaging dialogue, and the film doesn't unfold as smoothly as one would expect from a Spielberg creation. There are other things that are underrated, such as Djimound Honsu's unforgettable performance as the leader of the slaves as well as the drama and ghastliness of the shipboard treatment of the slaves. The person that slightly disappointment in here is Matthew McConaheys. While not bad but not as good as it could have been. Morgan Freeman played is role well here but not his best because at times he would look slightly wooden.... Read more ›
The film is gilded by beautiful sets and costumes where even "Doctor Zhivago" pales in comparison. The photography was more than stunning. However, the film is slightly marred by the somewhat empty performances by some of Americans in the film who lack emotion and engaging dialogue, and the film doesn't unfold as smoothly as one would expect from a Spielberg creation. There are other things that are underrated, such as Djimound Honsu's unforgettable performance as the leader of the slaves as well as the drama and ghastliness of the shipboard treatment of the slaves. The person that slightly disappointment in here is Matthew McConaheys. While not bad but not as good as it could have been. Morgan Freeman played is role well here but not his best because at times he would look slightly wooden.... Read more ›
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Amistad
I was recently introduced to this film and was very pleased with it. An interesting, if at times difficult to watch, film.
Published 2 months ago by Mrs. Nicolette J. Coleman
2.0 out of 5 stars
COMPACTIBILITY
the DVD is NTSC which is not compactible with my DVD PLAYER AND I FIND IT HARD TO WATCH ON MY BIG SCREEN TV
Published 3 months ago by Abubakarr Sesay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning
The story the actors the sets ... everything is so powerful. I saw it years ago but it still has the same power to seize you.
Published 3 months ago by morgado henriques
5.0 out of 5 stars
Never ever forget what some people went through.
Brilliant! Hard to see what it was really like for our fellow human beings though. The movie speaks for itself!
Published 4 months ago by Far
3.0 out of 5 stars
ok
making people write long reviews on ggod they receive is in my opinion expecting a lot. surely just a simple word comment is enough??
Published 4 months ago by Ms. Julie A. Renyard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amistad
A great film I hope many more people buy this film because it is a important to recognize what white people did in Africa & around the world when Atlantic Slavery was profitable.
Published 8 months ago by Mwenda
5.0 out of 5 stars
A first-rate film.
A first-rate film: both gripping and informative. I have used it in teaching history at our local comprehensive school - and watched it again for the pleasure of seeing this fine... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Leonard Jenkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
film fun
This is a really really good film, both entertaining and historically factual. I almost felt that i was actually in the room during the court case!
Published 12 months ago by Mr. L. King
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quality Film
An excellently produced film, with a strong cast who lived up to their reputations. It captured the barbarity and cruelty of slavery. It was gripping and aborbing to the finish.
Published 12 months ago by Master of the Cliche
2.0 out of 5 stars
Speilberg is no artist.
Why was Steven Spielberg allowed to tackle this story? Clearly the wrong choice when you see how shallow, overwrought and underthought the resulting film is. Read more
Published 18 months ago by S. Hyde
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