A stunning film worthy of its high praise

Rating: 9/10 (12 October 2019)

This film is based on the 1853 autobiography by Solomon Northup who was born as a free black man in New York state but was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the south.
While I highly recommend this film, I do so with qualification. Some scenes of torture are very harrowing and disturbing. Naturally, this raises the point that if it is so difficult to watch such simulations, how difficult must it have been to live through such torment?
The story-line is always engaging as it is often difficult to predict what will happen next. One surprise is that, while some slave owners are downright evil, others show glimpses of humanity. Director Steve McQueen showed great power with his other two films "Hunger" and "Shame". Adding "12 Years a Slave" to this fine list makes McQueen one of my favourite modern directors.
This film has three great performances who rightly won accolades. As the main character, Chiwetel Ejiofor is the perfect anchor. His final scene is such a powerful summary of all he has endured, it could bring tears from even the coldest of hearts. In the role of Patsey, a fellow slave who is terribly abused, Lupita Nyong'o is heartbreaking. Michael Fassbender is gripping as he personifies insanity and wickedness as a slave owner. Fassbender has performed in McQueen's other two films. This is clearly already one of moviedom's great collaborations and I look forward to more films from them.
There were occasional moments of confusion but too few to dilute the effect of this great film. It is nearly miraculous that this story could be told more than a century and a half after being published. It could only have been told because Northup was already literate before his experience as a slave. As most other slaves were kept illiterate, their personal stories could sadly never be told.
There were no satisfying revenge scenes such as those in "Django Unchained" and "The Help" (where racist abuse continues post-slavery), but its truth-telling should no doubt change minds and hearts.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Outstanding Achievement: Directing by Steve McQueen