Brutal Shipping.

Rating: 8/10 (25 February 2016)

Amistad (1997):Dir: Steven Spielberg / Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Djimon Hounsou, Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman, Nigel Hawthorne: Documentary about black slavery in 1839. Black slaves slaughter everyone aboard a ship accept for those forced to steer. Upon recapture the issue is taken to court to decide whether it was legal slavery. Structure is repetitious with three court appeals although it is directed by Steven Spielberg with great insight, and a worthy followup to his acclaim work in Schindler's List. Djimon Hounsou plays one of the slaves and makes a good impression. He heads the initial fight against the slave drivers and becomes somewhat the voice of the slaves. It is not difficult to see where this is headed. Anthony Hopkins portrays a former United States President whose role is fairly standard until he highlights with a long speech about slavery. Morgan Freeman brings conviction as a former slave assisting in the investigation. He is more or less there to allow everyone to relate but Freeman rises above the conventions. Matthew McConaughey plays a lawyer representing the slaves. He has played this sort of role before with the same results but this is a far cry from A Time to Kill. Nigel Hawthorne plays the United States President who is under pressure. Very graphic film but it provides insight into the slave trade. Score: 8 / 10