Amistad (1997): About a 1839 mutiny aboard a slave ship that is traveling towards the northeastern coast of America. Much of the story involves a court-room drama about the free man who led the revolt. (7.1)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Stars: Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey and Anthony Hopkins
I'd seen this as a mini-series on TV long time back. I remembered a lot of the scenes, but I'd forgotten that Matthew McConaughey played a major role. Just as well, because, he did play it so well that I remembered the character not the actor. This powerful story questions who we are as a people and what civilization means. What compelled the Europeans to call the Africans savages, what made them make the Africans slaves. Being neither white nor black should have made me a mere observer of the powerful story but the strong emotions and the teas welling in the eyes say this is a human story. Well made movie; good acting; good period scenes, costumes and sets. My Rating: 7.5
