Amistad

             This was Steven Spielberg’s (Raiders of the Lost Ark) first film with the newly formed Dreamworks SKG company, and man, did it sizzle. This is a great film chronicling much of the darker part of U.S. History. A ship of slaves is headed for the new world when it’s cargo breaks free and kills it’s captors, save for the owner, and they attempt to sail back to Africa, but are seized and taken to the U.S.

            There is a very confusing and interesting trial that takes place. Mr. Collins (Matthew Maconaghay, A Time to Kill) plays a young property lawyer who takes the case, on behalf of the Abolitionist movement. Through many trials and tribulations, and much development, including the retelling of how the slaves were captured in Africa in the first place, they eventually are set free. However, seeking to be re-elected, President Martin Van Buren decides to retry the case at the supreme court level.

            Throughout the movie, the differences in culture and language of the villagers and the Americans are remarkably well done. The whole scene is powerfully captured, and te courtroom and other performances are masterful. The final speech by John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins, The Silence of the Lambs) is stunning.

            The cinematography is typically spielbergian, and the whole movie portrays the deep sense of sorrow that we as Americans ought to have for our countries history. The true sense of our freedom is what we fail to grasp, and what these Africans so keenly and desperately wanted. An easy 2.