masterful, powerful, Hopkins brilliant

Rating: 7/10 (29 April 2000)

When Amistad originally came out I had zero desire to see it. i don't know exactly why, but I think it had something to do with that other big 'boat' movie that came out then. A small film called 'Titanic'. I even bought a ticket one night to see 'Amistad' but after watching all of two minutes of it, I kept feeling like all I wanted to do was go watch (expletive) 'Titanic' again, so I did. Thankfully, I finally did see this movie, and I am really glad I did. I am a lifelong Spielberg fan (aren't we all), and this I think is one of his best films. Right up there with Schindler's List. It builds beautifully, and the scenes on the ship are memorable to say the least. To me, this film is a joy to watch. It is the master at work. Hard to believe 'Lost World:Jurassic Park' came out the same year (to me his worst film). Anyway, even thought the box-office 'climate' or whatever (Titanic's wake?) washed this film out of theatres, don't miss it. I