Amistad (1997)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Matthew S

  
  A good handful of poignant scenes and numerous others in-between centered around logistics -- just how does a western lawyer in the 1840s connect with African clients who's language he doesn't understand? I wish that Spielberg had followed the advice that John Quincy Adams… More
  A good handful of poignant scenes and numerous others in-between centered around logistics -- just how does a western lawyer in the 1840s connect with African clients who's language he doesn't understand? I wish that Spielberg had followed the advice that John Quincy Adams gives in the movie and showed us more about Cinque's story before he was kidnapped.

• moon r

  
  Slaves rebel aboard the ship taking them to market, setting off Speilberg's telling of the true story that eventually inveighed an ex-President of the United States in the trial for the lives of the slaves. All get through this relatively unscathed, though there doesn't… More
  Slaves rebel aboard the ship taking them to market, setting off Speilberg's telling of the true story that eventually inveighed an ex-President of the United States in the trial for the lives of the slaves. All get through this relatively unscathed, though there doesn't seem to be much effort in any of it. It's easily Hopkins' picture as the curious, way-past-his-prime Adams mainly because nobody else has really anything to do. Still maybe a decent effort.

• Chris W

  
  This is, like a lot of Spielberg, pretty sentimental and schmaltzy, but it had some good intentions, even if the pretentions and pandering can't be totally covered up. I mean, it is Spielberg, so there are great production values, and John Williams has a good score, but the… More
  This is, like a lot of Spielberg, pretty sentimental and schmaltzy, but it had some good intentions, even if the pretentions and pandering can't be totally covered up. I mean, it is Spielberg, so there are great production values, and John Williams has a good score, but the acting and some of the casting just doesn't totally come together for me. I do think this is an alright movie though, even if the story does deserve a better telling.

• Mike S

  
  Captivating drama, even if it counts as one of Spielberg's lesser films. By "lesser", however, I just mean that isn't as fantastic or memorable as some of his other movies. Because it's still a good and well-crafted piece of film-making, with an impressive… More
  Captivating drama, even if it counts as one of Spielberg's lesser films. By "lesser", however, I just mean that isn't as fantastic or memorable as some of his other movies. Because it's still a good and well-crafted piece of film-making, with an impressive array of top notch actors (most notably Anthony Hopkins, who is fantastic as always). There's not a bad performance to be found and everyone gives it their best to make this a riveting experience. If you're easily disturbed you may want to think twice about watching it though. Because the story includes some deeply horrifying scenes, with no holds barred in its graphic violence and human mistreatment. At the same time though, that's also what makes it as gripping as it is. A true testament to Spielberg's versatility as a director. Because anyone who can go from family-friendly movies like <i>Hook</i> and <i>E.T</i>, to something as adult and somber as this (while maintaining the same cinematic quality), has surely earned my utmost admiration.

• Lady D

  
  Based on a powerful true story, this lengthly, but intense tale, shows the graphic reality of the brutal, torture during the slave trade years. Whilst it was Anthony Hopkins who received an Academy Award nomination for his role in this film (which was very worthy) it was Djimon… More
  Based on a powerful true story, this lengthly, but intense tale, shows the graphic reality of the brutal, torture during the slave trade years. Whilst it was Anthony Hopkins who received an Academy Award nomination for his role in this film (which was very worthy) it was Djimon Hounsou, yet again with a very impressive performance who grabbed my attention. Powerful, lengthly, but quite a film!

• Jason O

  
  "Amistad" is based on facts about a historical event in which a lot of blacks are kept hostage as slaves on a ship called La Amistad. Once the slaves reach the United States, they end up going to court to see whether they will be killed, sold as slaves, or returned to where… More
  "Amistad" is based on facts about a historical event in which a lot of blacks are kept hostage as slaves on a ship called La Amistad. Once the slaves reach the United States, they end up going to court to see whether they will be killed, sold as slaves, or returned to where they live. With the help of a good lawyer (Matthew McConaughey), President John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins), and faith, the slaves, led by Cinque (Djimon Hounsou), might be slaves no more. As soon as I saw the stellar cast that was in "Amistad" and that it was made by Steven Spielberg, I couldn't wait to see this movie. It is a good movie based on real historical events, but when compared to Steven Spielberg's previous masterpieces, "Amistad" isn't as good as it could've been. It's one of the very few Steven Spielberg movies that hasn't been dubbed as a classic by just about everyone that has seen the movie. But even though it might have come on one of Spielberg's off days, it's still a good movie. The best things about it are the good acting, its stellar cast, and its realistic approach to history. It also has a great speech by Anthony Hopkins toward the end of the movie. I recommend anybody who likes movies that are based on history to at least watch "Amistad." NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2001.

• Cassandra M

  
  #5 Amistad Amistad is a slave ship travelling from Cuba to the US in 1839, carrying a cargo of African slaves. As the ship is crossing from Cuba to the US, a mutiny takes over the ship. The slaves continue to sail, hoping to find help when they land. Instead, when they reach the… More
  #5 Amistad Amistad is a slave ship travelling from Cuba to the US in 1839, carrying a cargo of African slaves. As the ship is crossing from Cuba to the US, a mutiny takes over the ship. The slaves continue to sail, hoping to find help when they land. Instead, when they reach the United States, they are imprisoned as runaway slaves and the death sentence seems certain. Enter a rescue in the shape of Hopkins (President John Quincy Adams), who makes an impassioned and eloquent plea for their release. President Speak: "This man is black. We can all see that. But, can we also see as easily, that which is equally true? That he is the only true hero in this room."

• Luke B

  
  Despite the unflinching and brutal way in which slavery is shown the film is also a feel good examination of how lovely people can be. The film is highly engrossing, grabbing attention from the very first second. Only in the last 40 minutes with the third trial and Hopkins'… More
  Despite the unflinching and brutal way in which slavery is shown the film is also a feel good examination of how lovely people can be. The film is highly engrossing, grabbing attention from the very first second. Only in the last 40 minutes with the third trial and Hopkins' familiar and sentimental speech does the film suffer. The first two hours though are brilliant cinema. Spielberg may be a master manipulator of the emotions but here he still manages to demonstrate restraint and fairness when arguments are presented. The wonderful performances are only harmed by the inconsistency of their appearances.

• Derek D

  
  As with a lot of Spielberg's films, this one is wide and sweeping, telling some sort of story and taking a long time to get there. The cast is magnificent and the acting is superb, but it tries too hard to be some sort of cinematic masterpiece and falls far short of… More
  As with a lot of Spielberg's films, this one is wide and sweeping, telling some sort of story and taking a long time to get there. The cast is magnificent and the acting is superb, but it tries too hard to be some sort of cinematic masterpiece and falls far short of Spielberg's previous works. Not a horrible movie by any means, but not one to watch too often.

• Alexander W

  
  As is often the case in film-making, history has been remoulded for the sake of dramatic tension

• danny d

  
  wow. what a powerful film. this movie had little to do with entertainment and much to do with human nature. there were unforgetable scenes in this film, like the two slaves discussing Scripture using only pictures and the speach given by John Quincy Adams (anthony hopkins) at the… More
  wow. what a powerful film. this movie had little to do with entertainment and much to do with human nature. there were unforgetable scenes in this film, like the two slaves discussing Scripture using only pictures and the speach given by John Quincy Adams (anthony hopkins) at the end of the film. this movie was haunting and heartbreaking, yet it was filled with themes of hope, salvation, and courage. one of the truly great films that has ever been made, the acting was incredible and this is easily one of spielbergs best films. lets all stop neglecting this film and give it the due it deserves.

• Dan S

  
  One of Spielberg's more underrated works. Lots of great performance, including an ending monlogue by Hopkins that at least stuck with me. Overall, while its historical accuracy may be in controvery, I learned a lot from this movie.

• Curtis L

  
  Great movie, one of the African Classics in my opinion (all must haves). Djimon is great. Want to have his babies.

• Tim S

  
  Make us free!

• Candy R

  
  Sad movie about the slave trade.

• Dean M

  
  Magnificent epic drama that chronicles the little known account of a slave revolt in 1839 aboard a Spanish ship and the sensational court case that followed.

• xGary X

  
  Far more contrived and therefore less powerful than Schindler's List, this is still a worthy drama tackling another of the most monstrous chapters in our history. (It is also nice to see an american film where the brits are the good guys for a change!)

• Matthew Y

  
  Like Empire of the Sun, Amistad is a little appreciated film by Spielberg that packs a tremendous cinematic punch. The films plot is good enough to carry the picture alone. A group of black slaves plucked from Africa revolt and takeover the ship (the Amistad). Viewed by some as… More
  Like Empire of the Sun, Amistad is a little appreciated film by Spielberg that packs a tremendous cinematic punch. The films plot is good enough to carry the picture alone. A group of black slaves plucked from Africa revolt and takeover the ship (the Amistad). Viewed by some as "freedom fighters" lead by Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) they are nevertheless captured and imprisoned in New England. A former slave Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman) and former property lawyer Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey) attempts to prove the Africans as stolen goods because they were kidnapped from their homeland. While Djimon Hounsou is absolutely stellar in his breakthrough performance as the leader of the imprisoned Africans the true star of the film is former President John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) who is at first reluctant to become involved but eventually is stirred into delivering a powerful defense. Several characters are quoted with saying the John Quincy Adams is the child of a much greater man John Adams and this is merely an attempt for a swan song in the history books. Quincy Adams however views the enslavement of African blacks by the white American populace as the last great injustice that their forefathers left for them to resolve when society was capable of accepting it. Relevant without ever pandering to its audience Amistad is an incredible important film that unfortunately has been left by the wayside on many significant works lists. One of Spielberg's bests even if it has been overlooked.

• Luke E

  
  Another 1997 release saw Spielberg take on american history, Amistad follows the journey of a mutiny on a slave ship and the court trials after. Like his other dramatic film before almost every character plays a single significan ad rememberable role in this incredible story. It… More
  Another 1997 release saw Spielberg take on american history, Amistad follows the journey of a mutiny on a slave ship and the court trials after. Like his other dramatic film before almost every character plays a single significan ad rememberable role in this incredible story. It actually give the slaves a voice to tlk and a victory that didn't need any sort of physical force. You need to see this to believe it.

• Cameron J

  
  It is a moving, fascinating concept, but the execution is rather underwhelming and not terribly interesting. Now, that's not to say that film is bad, because in spite of its flaws, it's still pretty darn good. Still, the flaws are present nonetheless. The film is damaged by… More
  It is a moving, fascinating concept, but the execution is rather underwhelming and not terribly interesting. Now, that's not to say that film is bad, because in spite of its flaws, it's still pretty darn good. Still, the flaws are present nonetheless. The film is damaged by overdrawn points, a periodic drop in engagement, slow spots, some gratuitous gore and moderately inconsistent character focus. Still, through all of its flaws and unrealized potential, the film remains fairly well-crafted, being carried by its compellingness and strong performances, but more on that later. For now, let's touch on the smaller, but still notable strengths behind the film, such as an effective hook, an excellent score, fine cinematography, great production designs, a progressive increase in compellingness and a satisfying conclusion. Touching on the performances, they are truly impressive, particularly Hopkins' and Honsou's. Anthony Hopkins' appearance is ever so rare, but worth the wait, as he is a true revelation as John Quincy Adams, practically transforming into the president and executing his traits sharply and authentically. As for Djimon Honsou, he's playing Djimon Honsou, but back before his roles started to resemble each other. Still, even now, that's not a problem, as Djimon Honsou is a strong character and Djimon Honsou plays him well. Now, allow me to simplify what I just said before your brain explodes from confusion. Honsou is a compelling and spotlight-taking force that keeps you invested in his character and his struggles and even though this type of character and Honsou's execution of him has since become recurring, it never grows old. Something else worth touching on is how the film is near-groundbreaking in its potrayal of this subject matter, particularly when it comes to the slaves themselves. Spielberg isn't afraid to pull any punches, as he shows these African slaves for who they really were: Regular people who become dangerous when they find themselves out of their environment and threatened by a new culture. Spielberg humanizes these characters in a realistic way instead of overemphasizing their traits until they are finally stripped of their humanity. He shows them as flawed humans that are confused and threatened by this new environment, but isn't liberal with it. He doesn't want us to feel sympathy for them as faceless examples of tortured people, but instead wants to show them as real people who are simply doing what they can to survive. In the end, though it could have been executed better, "Amistad" remains a fairly compelling, well-acted and unpretentious portrait on the harshness of slavery.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings