A true remembrance film by Steven Spielberg

Rating: Null/10 (17 February 1999)

First of all, let's get one thing straight. This movie, and the event itself, was not about freedom of slaves in America over an American issue, but instead about whether slaves on a Spanish vessel were illegally captured or if they were what lawyers in the film called "livestock" in the Spanish Empire when they killed all but a few of the boat-masters. The film portrays this and then the morality of slavery in an unobtrusive way. As Steven Spielberg often does. And that is what makes this movie such a great one. That and John William's masterpicial score, which I believe should have gotten at least a nomination, if not an Oscar itself. There are several things that are underrated, such as Djimound Honsu's unforgettable performance as the leader of the slaves. The drama and ghastliness of the shipboard treatment of the slaves. There is only one disappointment and that is Matthew McConaheys performance, while not bad but not as good as it could have been. However, if that was the way that it really was, then so be it. In all, the movie can compare to any of Spielberg's greats.