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Amistad
Academy Award® Nominee
Freedom is not given. It is our right at birth. But there are some moments when it must be taken.

Starring Djimon Hounsou, Mathew McConaughey, Morgan Freeman...  View more >

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Reviews Summary


Please Note: Reader Reviews are submitted by the readers of The BigScreen Cinema Guide and represent their own personal opinions regarding this movie, and do not represent the views of The BigScreen Cinema Guide, or any of its associated entities.

[--- Good ---]by  
Jan 25, 2000
All I can say is Thank-You Mr. Spielberg for this most Excellent Movie.

Jan 25, 2000
First of all...I loved it. This is another one of those emotional films by Steven Spielberg, but like the others, he does a great job with a difficult story line. This is not a feel good movie, nor does it make you feel like you want to go out there and change the world; what it does do, is make you sit back and reflect upon an incident in our nation's history that will disappoint you. The story line centers around the capture, detainment, transportation and murder of men, women and children who are being brought to the United States to be slaves in 1839. The Africans on the ship "Amistad" rebel, take control of the ship, and attempt to go back to Africa to be free. Their dream for freedom is short-lived as their ship is captured by an American Naval ship and brought to the United States. The Africans (led by Djimon Hounsou) are placed on trial, they are fighting for their freedom, but their lawyers and the politicians have turned it into a fight over the issue of slavery. The Africans win the first few rounds only to have their freedom appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, where former President John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) is recruited to defend them. I was saddened by the role that politics played in this freedom fight and how President Martin Van Buren fought not to do what was right, but fought instead to save his re-election. Earlier I said this film won't make you want to go out and change the world...I think it's because after seeing this film you realize that these political games have been played for the past 160 years by Presidents and you are just fed up. The sad part is to those who are the victims in these political games...don't consider it a game nor do they have a fair chance to win. Bottom line...go see the film and then send President Clinton an e-mail at president@whitehouse.gov and thank him for not playing political games while he has been in office.

[--- Wait for Rental ---]by  
Jan 25, 2000
Funny how Steven Spielberg can't take a joke. The "2 movies a year man" can't make a good flick anymore. Such is the case with "Amistad", Spielberg's overblown black man epic where he over gooifyes every scene as if to say "look, I'm being cool!"

I'm not going to say much about this film; the basic story tells about a bunch of black slaves on trial for killing white folk on a ship. While the idea is good, and some scenes are fine, it takes 156 minutes to get there.

P.S. Watch for the "Let us...FREE!!!!" scene. It's a good laugh.

Grade: C-

Tech Review

Picture: 4 Good colors and good detail, it just gets too fuzzy around the middle for some reason. Could have been the print quality.

Sound: 5 A ear opening dts mix, full of rich power and unsettling bass. Also mixed in SDDS and DD.

Photography: 2 It is matted to 1.85:1.

jwhyte2@hotmail.com ICQ- 4339199

Sep 28, 2003
Steven Spielberg has created another masterprice. \"Amistad\" is a film based on the slave revolt that led to freedom for many slaves who took part in the revolt. \"Amistad\" is a great history film which teaches us about one of the early victories against slavery. You have to see this film for yourself.

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