"Give us FREE!"

Rating: 7/10 (1 October 2000)

Joseph Cinque's rousing cry in the courtroom said it all, something so singularly gripping that for me it defines the entire movie. One may find points to praise or criticise in yet another one of Spielberg's distinctive "historicals" but few messages have ever been simpler or clearer: It's all for nothing if you don't have freedom! (if I may quote a certain Scottish patriot who was about as passionate). As for the rest of the film, pretty well-done actually. Solid 8/10.