Give us our freedom! The Master Of Film's most important and emotional film!

Rating: 10/10 (20 August 2015)

I want to start this review by asking a question why does this film get overlooked by many people why I do not have a clue I may have a vague idea because the subject matter does not concern it's audience or it has been forgotten or nobody remembers the events of the film I think this film is so important and this was my first viewing of the film and I am lost for Words yet again I hear Steven Spielberg really wanted to direct this film a lot and it shows how committed to the story and the characters The performances are outstanding Sir Anthony Hopkins is John Quincy Adams simple as that Djimon Hounsou as Cinqué is a major discovery and I admire his performance greatly Morgan Freeman is outstanding as Theodore Joadson Nigel Hawthorne is extraordinarily heartbreaking Just great performances all around Matthew McConaughey as Roger Sherman Baldwin is the best performance in the whole film he is our leader our guide throughout the whole film and delivers in every scene Thanks Matthew you made this film come alive and I will never forget your performance thank you so so much this is your film and Djimon Hounsou as Cinque thank you as well this is a remarkable achievement I love the scenery and the cinematography by Janusz Kamiński and the Editing by Michael Kahn is outstanding and never drags on despite the fact it is almost 2 and a half hours it is a outstanding story and a unforgettable movie experience almost like the Color Purple and Empire of the Sun but Steven Spielberg tells the story differently it almost feels like a fight for survival and it is but the courtroom scenes are directed differently and the tone changes as the film stops to reflect and to think why and to question the reasons of the case why it was needed to happen and to uphold the American Constitution John Williams's outstanding emotive score is very understated and patriotic but the themes are wonderful for each part of the story Cinque's theme is wonderful one of the best pieces of music John Williams's has ever composed it is perfect the flute is incredible and the orchestra rises to play the theme as well and the trumpet intersperses the main theme with it too the hymn piece Dry your tears Afrika just to finish here I want people to think about equality and basic human values what does one act cost freedom or death that is the theme of the film One act can change the world and the way we treat everyone around with compassion or with hatred that is what Steven Spielberg asks us as he does in the Color Purple and Schindler's list and now with Amistad how do we feel about hatred do we think it is the right path to a normal happy life or is it a unjust decision to treat people that have done no harm to anyone with such intolerance and suffering for no logical reason it is just the way things worked or so we think that is the right cause of action As John Quincy Adams says it is not about what they are it is about who they are what's their story what will we remember them for the sacrifice their determination to win over such forces of evil and as John Quincy Adams says at the end any human being whether he or she be black or white will try again and again to get home where they belong where we all belong What the film teaches us is how do we accept race or religion at the end of the film John Quincy Adams says if he were another nationality we would treat him with respect and compassion songs would be written books would be filled with his stories let all people lead the life they want to lead and do not forget them who they are what is their goal what is their story and their reasons for existing in the world what do they contribute to society how do they support actions democracy or leadership what is their dreams and hopes? Just think about that for a moment Thank you Steven Spielberg thank you John Williams yet again this is an unforgettable film and it is highly underrated seek this film out now I urge everyone who has not seen this film to do so now!