Amistad
Seen it?1997 | 155 min | Drama, History, Mystery
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It collected a shelf of major awards, it earned strong reviews (78% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it's still drawing plenty of interest. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and history buffs. If you loved Schindler's List or Lincoln, start here.
- The mood
- Tense.
- The pace
- Unhurried and epic, at 2 hr 35 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- It's long: 2 hr 35 min.
In 1839, the slave ship Amistad set sail from Cuba to America. During the long trip, Cinque 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 wants Cinque and the others exonerated and recruits property lawyer Roger Baldwin to help his case. Eventually, John Quincy Adams also becomes an ally.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 64 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.0 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 1 Critics' Choice Award: Critics' Choice Movie Award: Best Supporting Actor. Also nominated for 5 Oscars, 4 Golden Globes and 1 SAG Award. Plus 4 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerSolid
$58 million worldwide on a $36 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 404K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Steven Spielberg
- Morgan FreemanTheodore Joadson
- Nigel HawthorneMartin Van Buren
- Anthony HopkinsJohn Quincy Adams
- Djimon HounsouCinque
- Matthew McConaugheyRoger Sherman Baldwin
- David PaymerSecretary John Forsyth
- Pete PostlethwaiteHolabird
- Stellan SkarsgårdTappan
- Razaaq AdotiYamba
- Abu Bakaar FofanahFala