Amazing demonstration of the injustices of Slavery and Conquest

Rating: 10/10 (3 December 2012)

De Niro and Irons give great performances in this wonderful story of redemption, faith, and fear. As a converted slave hunter, De Niro's character gets a first hand look at the wrongs of slavery. This movie really asks the question, what right do men have over one another? Philosophers Locke, Rousseau and Hobbes all contemplate this question themselves. In the movie the Portuguese, who wish to capture and enslave the natives, think of the native people as animals, not deserving of freedom. Only beasts in the state of nature. According to these philosophers, man has no natural right to other's freedom and in this movie, it is demonstrated how this must be true. I would recommend this film to anyone interested in Philosophy.