Amistad (1997)

Synopsis: Based on actual events in 1838, AMISTAD is the story of captured African slaves who took over their transport ship in a bloody revolt with the hopes of returning back to their homeland. After the... Based on actual events in 1838, AMISTAD is the story of captured African slaves who took over their transport ship in a bloody revolt with the hopes of returning back to their homeland. After the slaves are caught and imprisoned, their leader, Cinque (Djimon Hounsou), unable to understand the language or court system of America, tries to communicate his desire to return home to his defense lawyer, Roger Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey), and former slave Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman). The men plead for help with their groundbreaking court case from former president John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins). Steven Spielberg directed this moving film, using as a reference the book by William A. Owens, BLACK MUTINY: THE REVOLT ON THE SCHOONER AMISTAD. The Africans in the movie speak Mende, with subtitles added. West African actor Djimon Hounsou had to learn to speak the language for his role--and was nominated for a Golden Globe. Spielberg shot the film at the State House in Providence, Rhode Island, the seaport in Mystic, Connecticut, and other New England locations. [More]

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, Nigel Hawthorne, David Paymer, Pete Postlethwaite, Stellan Skarsgaard, Anna Paquin, Razaaq Adoti, Abu Bakaar Fofanah, Tomas Milian, Chjwetel Ejiofor, Derrick N. Ashong, Geno Silva, John Ortiz, Ralph Brown, Darren E. Burrows, Allan Rich, Paul Guilfoyle, Peter Firth, Xander Berkeley, Jeremy Northam, Arliss Howard, Willie Amakye, Luc Assogba, Mariah Campbell, Stephen Conteh, Monguehy Fanzy, Jimmy Fotso, Adekunle Ilori, Sheriff Kargbo, Saye Lah, Sylvestre Massaquoi, Samson Odede, Chike Okpala, Willie Onafesso, Samuel Pieh, Lansana Sawi, Abu Sidique, El Hadj Malik Sow, Lamine Thiam, Austin Pendleton, Daniel Von Bargen, Rusty Schwimmer, Pedro Armendariz, Frank T. Wells, Michael Massee, Roy Cooper, Jake Weber, Victor Rivers, Joseph Kosseh, Steve Passewe, Sherly Accosta Williams

Director: Steven Spielberg

Director: Steven Spielberg
Screenwriter: David H. Franzoni
Producer: Steven Spielberg, Debbie Allen, Colin Wilson
Composer: John Williams

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