Amistad (1997)

IMDb plot summary: In 1839, the revolt of Mende captives aboard a Spanish owned ship causes a major controversy in the United States when the ship is captured off the coast of Long Island. The courts must decide whether the Mende are slaves or legally free.

Directed by Steven Spielberg. Starring Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, and Anthony Hopkins.

Amistad is Steven Spielberg's dramatization of a real-life trial just prior to the American Civil War in which a group of Africans stolen from their homes to be slaves rise up against their captors on the sea voyage and are brought to trial once they land in the States. On the surface it seems like a pretty straightforward trial, but questions of slavery, political reelection, potential war, and international treaties to create a perfect storm of precedent that paved the way for emancipation for the other enslaved Africans in the country. This is a story I honestly knew almost nothing about, so I appreciate learning more about this case. It's also very well told, showcasing all the political motivations that pushed people in certain directions -- it's upsetting but sadly not surprising to watch this question of human life and civil rights being argued one way or another based around a presidential reelection campaign. I appreciated also that the stories of the captured Africans got some focus, though I wish it had been more prevalent, as it really is their story. Overall, a pretty solid retelling of an important part of U.S. history.

How it entered my Flickchart:

Amistad > Fahrenheit 451

Amistad > The Game

Amistad < Castle in the Sky

Amistad < The Pawnbroker

Amistad < The Secret of Santa Vittoria

Amistad < Before Sunset

Amistad < The Pirates of Penzance

Amistad < The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

Amistad < My Name Is Joe

Amistad < Till Death

Amistad < Munich

Amistad > A Room With a View

Final spot: #896 out of 3589, or 75%.