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ÐмиÑтад (1997 )
Amistad is the name of a slave ship traveling from Cuba to the U.S. in 1839. It is carrying a cargo of Africans who have been sold into slavery in Cuba, taken on board, and chained in the cargo hold of the ship. As the ship is crossing from Cuba to the U.S. Cinque, who was a tribal leader in Africa, leads a mutiny and takes over the ship. They continue to sail, hoping to find help when they land. Instead, when they reach the United States, they are imprisoned as runaway slaves. They don't speak a word of English, and it seems like they are doomed to die for killing their captors when an abolitionist lawyer decides to take their case, arguing that they were free citizens of another country and not slaves at all. The case finally gets to the Supreme Court, where John Quincy Adams makes an impassioned and eloquent plea for their release. Written by M Parkinson, Sarasota, FL, USA
Plot Keywords:
Freedom is not given. It is our right at birth. But there are some moments when it must be taken. See more »
Denzel Washington and Cuba Gooding, Jr. turned down the role of Cinque. Gooding later regretted his decision. See more »
In full dress, Captain Fitzgerald wears the epaulets of a Royal Navy commander, not captain, and the belt of a lieutenant. In undress, he wears the single-breasted "morning coat", which was abolished by the Royal Navy in 1833. He also refers to an "ensign" aboard his vessel, a rank that existed in the British Army but never the Royal Navy where the most junior officer was a midshipman and an ensign was (and remains) a flag (ensign is the most junior officer rank in the US Navy). See more »
[ first lines ]
Ruiz. [ to Pedro Montes ] That one wants us to sail them back. That one thinks he can sail all the way back without us.
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Crazy Credits
The events depicted did not historically occur at Fort El Morro See more »
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User Reviews
A film unfairly compared to box office winners that should have received far more recognition.
I do not attend more than a handful of movies a year at a theatre. I rent far more videos, Amistad being one of them. As I recall, Amistad did not wow the theatrical audiences big-time. But the expression "big-time" seems to indicate numbers of dollars and attendees. I am also a big fan of Anthony Hopkins and remember him as a compelling actor long before his Oscar role. I believe that he and the African actor Djimon Hounsou should have been seriously considered for acting awards. I don't recall that any were given or even suggested. The cinematography, set decoration, lighting, and editing were extraordinary. I was reminded that interior spaces in the 1830's were not garishly lit Hollywood sets with dramatic shadows. Perhaps the costuming was a bit overdone. Many of the actors appeared "dressed". The most emotionally devastating episodes for me were the barbaric transporting and drowning of the slaves. I literally held my hands over my face as these scenes unfolded. I hope this film lives on to become a classic. My respect for Spielberg's artistry has been taken to another level. Other viewers have commented on static qualities of this film. Well, folks, This was not "Raiders of the Lost Ark" or "Judgement at Nuremberg"; it was historic filmmaking in more than one way. It was accurate, literate, and not politically correct or incorrect. Bravo, Dreamworks!
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