Difficult subject matter

Rating: 7/10 (15 November 2004)

As 'entertainment,' if you can call a movie dealing with the subject matter Amistad concerns itself with 'entertainment,' the film is very powerful. The problem I have in endorsing it as much I might want to is I'm not sure how much of the content is historically accurate and how much has been improvised for dramatic purposes. Anyhow the mutiny aboard the Amistad in 1839 (not that long ago when you think about it) and the subsequent trial of the insurrectionists made for compelling viewing. All of the principal actors were directed perfectly by master director Spielberg. For me, Anthony Hopkins' (such a superb actor) Adams is deserving of special praise. Down through the ages, all peoples have been subjected to the torment of bondage. Amistad powerfully tells the story of a group of Africans' struggle against their oppression.