Emperor

It's an enjoyable film, but I learnt afterwards about the historical inaccuracies and have to mark it down for that.

Did not mind this, the exploits of a run away slave that joins John Brown raid. If you read history the past even abolitionists' called Brown mentally deranged, but history made him into a martyr. That isn't for me to decide but the movie held its own. I should read a little more on Douglas. [I am a conservative, right leaning, Hispanic Republican too]

Cheap & nasty revisionist history or just Hollywood's refusal to let the facts stand in the way of a rollicking Boys' Own story; -From using the modern day USA flag to failing to explain that the protaganist was actually captured and executed (he was hanged along with the other survivors of the Harper's Ferry incident) whilst imposing some fairy-tale ending to his story, this movie is well worth AVOIDING, even though the true story of its 'Emperor' is well worth knowing.

Didn't much care for it. The storytelling was below par as was the production value of the film.

Confusing at times. Not as inspiring as I'd hoped.

While this story is important and captivating, there's too much of a traditional "historical biopic" feel filtering the whole thing keeping it from doing anything more than giving a history lesson. This could learn a thing or two from films like 12 Years a Slave and Loving that run on the introspective and visceral journey of the protagonist rather than feeling like every other slavery film from the 90s.

Dayo Okeniyi, most notable as Thresh in The Hunger Games, gives a profoundly riveting performance as Emperor. This beginning to end, action packed, fictional reenactment based on the life of a non-fictional unsung hero, Shields Green, grandson of an African King, who played a major role in igniting the CivilWar, but has been virtually left out of history books; save the writings of Fredrick Douglass, is a must see. Shields' relentless plight to free his family from an abusive slave owner and move them north is a realistic adventurous portrayal of the grueling plight of slaves. Masterfully written, Mark Amin and Pat Charles' narrative of the vile inhumaneness of slavery, which gives Shields Green a well-deserved permanent place in history, is apropos to today's civil, unrest among the disenfranchised and the dominant class. It also demonstrates the duplicity of the ‘god concept' that remains very prevalent today. Those believing that America is "god's country…white folks are made in his image and can do whatever they want;" and the noble abolitionists, including the brave and selfless John Brown, gallantly portrayed by James Cromwell, who believes so strongly in "THE ALMIGHTY GOD," that he made tremendous sacrifice to inspire and teach slaves to fight back and free themselves from bondage. This movie helped me overstand the importance of those who fight back with the pen and the necessity for those willing to fight on the battlefields. Personally, while I prefer to right the wrongs with pen, like the Amity spirit of Qctavia Spencer's character, Johanna in the movie Insurgent, "I will fight," like a Harriet Tubman if necessary. I AM GRATEFUL for a refreshing historical slavery movie like no other that has been made to dated. It is educational and inspiring as well as very entertaining. Disappointed that I had never heard of Shields Green, I Googled his name during the movie, as well as the Battle of Harpers Ferry.

I really love the way this movie portrays the resilience of Black people. He was determined to get his son to freedom. And he did by any means necessary. Anyone of any race can understand the love a father has for his child; especially after the tragedy that was around, Emperor.

This Civil War action drama was pretty good. Dayo Okeniyi, Bruce Dern, James Cromwell, and the rest of the cast did a good job in this movie. This true story was thrilling, action-packed, and dramatic. It's about fighting for your freedom and doing whatever you can for your family. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. You would probably enjoy it.

Not at all historically accurate. They took quite a lot of liberties with the beginning and end of the story, making up details of Shields Green's life and completely changing the outcome of his plight. But besides all the historical inaccuracies, if you just wanted to watch it for pure entertainment, the script was a bit weak, which made it hard for the actors to shine. Even though there were some big named actors, their performances were average due to the poor script, character development, direction, and sets. It was enjoyable enough but could have been so much better, IMHO!