Amistad

Starring:Morgan Freeman, Nigel Hawthorne, Anthony Hopkins, Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, David Paymer, Pete Postlethwaite, Stellan SkarsgÃ¥rd, Razaaq Adoti, Abu Bakaar Fofanah, Anna Paquin, Tomas Milian, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Derrick N. Ashong, Geno Silva, John Ortiz, Ralph Brown, Darren E. Burrows, Allan Rich, Paul Guilfoyle (II)
Director: Steven Spielberg
Studio: Dreamworks Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Steven Spielberg's most simplistic, sanitized history lesson, Amistad, explores the symbolic 1840s trials of 53 West Africans following their bloody rebellion aboard a slave ship. For most of Schindler's List (and, later, Saving Private Ryan) Spielberg restrains himself from the sweeping narrative and technical flourishes that make him one of our most entertaining and manipulative directors. Here, he doesn't even bother trying, succumbing to his driving need to entertain with beautiful images and contrived emotion. He cheapens his grandiose motives and simplifies slavery, treating it as cut- and-dry genre piece. Characters are easy Hollywood stereotypes--"villains" like the Spanish sailors or zealous abolitionists are drawn one-dimensionally and sneered upon. And Spielberg can't suppress his gifted eye, undercutting normally ugly sequences, such as the terrifying slave passage, which is shot as a gorgeous, well-lit composition. At its core, Amistad is a traditional courtroom drama, centered by a tired, clichéd narrative: a struggling, idealistic young lawyer (Matthew McConaughey) fighting the crooked political system and saving helpless victims. Worse yet, Spielberg actually takes the underlying premise of his childhood fantasy, E.T. and repackages it for slavery. Cinque (Djimon Hounsou), the leader of the West African rebellion, is presented much like the adorable alien: lost, lacking a common language, and trying to find his way home. McConaughey is a grown-up Elliot who tries communicating complicated ideas such as geography by drawing pictures in the sand or language by having Cinque mimic his facial expressions. Such stuff was effective for a sci-fi fantasy about the communication barriers between a boy and a lost alien; here, it seems like a naive view of real, complex history. --Dave McCoy

Customer Reviews:

politically correct twaddle.......2007-07-01

In an age in which "truth"is sidetracked by the thought police,and political correctness substitutes for history,a film like "AMISTAD"could not help being forced upon the public..Such films almost always distort history more than they tell it..Sure,the slavetrade was a bad thing...who can argue with that?But the slavetrade was not confined to the united states,and europeans did not originate it...Indeed,most of the black slaves were sold to the europeans by other,rival blacks..You don't believe me?Read a book sometime...start with the encyclopedia...But,of course,in our alledgedly enlightened times any black-on-black elements of the slavetrade are either downplayed or ignored in order to point the finger at the big bad white man..It is get whitey that motivates film-makers,not accurate history...Slavery is STILL a problem,both in africa and the middle-east,but do you see any films about it being made by the Speilbergs of this world,or starring the likes of Sir Anthony Hopkins?Not on your life!Instead we get repetitive jolts of fake history like this,where the poor black man is a victim of the bad white men,and the few elements that would redeem the white man's honor,like the abolitionists that figured in the real life story that this pathetic film is patterned after come off looking coldly self-righteous...
Wake me up when some BALANCED historical drama about the slavetrade is available,because twaddle like this puts me to sleep

Powerful Drama.......2007-05-12

Yet another winning performance by Morgan Freeman. Realistic in everyway, great for all who love a good drama, filled with emotion.

Invoke your ancesters when in trouble.......2007-04-11

I could not watch it over and over the intelligence and the loyalty as well as the discipline is to be admired. I am told it is not a true story though. I do believe that we need to learn a lot from the way they were dressed going back home. Africans of the past were very modest people they did not show their skin in public. The story needs to be redone with better and truer facts. Africans were the founders of civilizations dress is important to civil behavior.

Must See .......2007-03-31

Amistad is a true story about an 1839 mutiny aboard a slave ship that is traveling towards North America. It is a story in the period when new slaves were illegal, but trading in slaves that were already slaves, was allowed. With a powerful all-star cast including Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins and Matthew McConaughey, it is a story that will grip your heart and move your spirit. Much of the story takes place in a courtroom drama about the free-man who led the revolt, and deals with questions of freedom, humanity and dignity.

The movie, though slow moving, is intense, and the drama builds as many groups claim the slaves as their property. This story is truly gripping and a story of extreme importance in understanding our own history. This lesser-known Spielberg film is truly a must see.

Powerful!.......2007-03-27

This movie is a powerful look into the slave days of America and those who fought to abolish it. All main characters deliver a stunning performance!

The Voyage of La Amistad: A Quest for Freedom

Average customer rating:

Straightforward,Factual and informational documentary-style
An enlightening view on a little-known episode of American history

The Voyage of La Amistad: A Quest for Freedom
Starring: Charles Durning , Brock Peters , and Alfre Woodard
Director: H.D. Motyl
Manufacturer: Mpi Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Politics | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

Amistad
The Middle Passage
Amistad (Penguin Readers, Level 3)
Underground Railroad (History Channel)
Unchained Memories

ASIN: B00069FLB8
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Description

On the morning of June 28, 1839, the schooner La Amistad set sail from Havana, Cuba, with a cargo that included 53 Africans who had been abducted from Sierra Leone and sold into slavery in violation of international law. Unaware of their fate and fearing they would be killed, the Africans revolted, sparing only two crew members to guide the ship eastward to their home. After a two-month voyage on a zigzag course, La Amistad was finally captured at Long Island, New York, where the Africans were jailed and charged with piracy and murder.

Customer Reviews:

Straightforward,Factual and informational documentary-style.......2007-03-14

In June 1839,53 Africans were sold by their own people and transported to Havana ,Cuba.There they were sold as Spanish property illegally.A revolt occurs on the schooner,La Amistad and the slaves make their way to the Long Island Coast.There begins a trist of International politics and abolitionists all jockeying for position as these helpless Africans,confused and despairing,hang in the balance.Strictly a narrrated documentary in an interview/voiceover/still photo/reinactment style,THE Alfre Woodard narrated THE VOYAGE OF LA AMISTAD allows the viewer to gain a little extra knowledge and insight into the Amistad trial.Frankly,though, the Spielberg film AMISTAD does a far more compelling and simply more exciting rendering of the same events.Where the Spielberg film may have condensed some characters and events for time and viewing interest,THE VOYAGE OF LA AMISTAD is a very faithful,straight forward retelling of the facts-names,dates etc.This documentary works beautifully as a companion to the film AMISTAD and seems best suited for teaching purposes.I also recommend the film THE MIDDLE PASSAGE which is very haunting and lyrical in contrast to this documentary.All three films mentioned plus A RESPECTABLE TRADE make for a great collector's library as well as the current theatrical release AMAZING GRACE about the abolition of the Slave Trade from England.

An enlightening view on a little-known episode of American history.......2007-01-10

The Voyage of La Amistad is a highly valuable companion piece to whomever wants to understand the gripping issues and stakes of slavery in 19th century America. What I did appreciate is the clear presentation of the case, the pedagogical approach and the rich pictures and documents that are dealt with in the video. Also, it is a precious document in so far as it makes up for the flaws and inaccuracies that can be found in the Spielberg Movie on Amistad. So, from a classroom point of view and for someone interested in teaching genuine,unadulterated history, the video is certainly to be considered as a useful and purposeful tool.

Average customer rating:

politically correct twaddle
Powerful Drama
Invoke your ancesters when in trouble
Must See
Powerful!

Amistad - DTS
Starring: Morgan Freeman , Nigel Hawthorne , Anthony Hopkins , Djimon Hounsou , and Matthew McConaughey
Director: Steven Spielberg
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Period Piece | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | African American Cinema | Genres | DVD | Video

General | African American Cinema | Genres | DVD | Video

DTS | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

Glory
Malcolm X
The Tuskegee Airmen
Rosewood
The Color Purple

ASIN: 0783235453
Release Date: 1999-07-06

Amazon.com essential video

Steven Spielberg's most simplistic, sanitized history lesson, Amistad, explores the symbolic 1840s trials of 53 West Africans following their bloody rebellion aboard a slave ship. For most of Schindler's List (and, later, Saving Private Ryan) Spielberg restrains himself from the sweeping narrative and technical flourishes that make him one of our most entertaining and manipulative directors. Here, he doesn't even bother trying, succumbing to his driving need to entertain with beautiful images and contrived emotion. He cheapens his grandiose motives and simplifies slavery, treating it as cut-and-dry genre piece. Characters are easy Hollywood stereotypes--"villains" like the Spanish sailors or zealous abolitionists are drawn one-dimensionally and sneered upon. And Spielberg can't suppress his gifted eye, undercutting normally ugly sequences, such as the terrifying slave passage, which is shot as a gorgeous, well-lit composition. At its core, Amistad is a traditional courtroom drama, centered by a tired, clichéd narrative: a struggling, idealistic young lawyer (Matthew McConaughey) fighting the crooked political system and saving helpless victims. Worse yet, Spielberg actually takes the underlying premise of his childhood fantasy, E.T. and repackages it for slavery. Cinque (Djimon Hounsou), the leader of the West African rebellion, is presented much like the adorable alien: lost, lacking a common language, and trying to find his way home. McConaughey is a grown-up Elliot who tries communicating complicated ideas such as geography by drawing pictures in the sand or language by having Cinque mimic his facial expressions. Such stuff was effective for a sci-fi fantasy about the communication barriers between a boy and a lost alien; here, it seems like a naive view of real, complex history. --Dave McCoy

Customer Reviews:

politically correct twaddle.......2007-07-01

Powerful Drama.......2007-05-12

Yet another winning performance by Morgan Freeman. Realistic in everyway, great for all who love a good drama, filled with emotion.

Invoke your ancesters when in trouble.......2007-04-11

Must See .......2007-03-31

Powerful!.......2007-03-27

This movie is a powerful look into the slave days of America and those who fought to abolish it. All main characters deliver a stunning performance!

Average customer rating:

Sail 2000, Aboard the Eagle

Manufacturer: A&E Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

The Great Ships - The Schooners (History Channel)
Blue Water Odyssey

ASIN: B000E372HW
Release Date: 2000-07-05

Description

America's maritime tradition is filled with noble ships, vast riches and extraordinary tales. And though the age of the great sailing ships has long passed, the glory of this vanished era lives on in vessels like the USS Eagle, a square-rigged, steel-hulled reminder of the days when wind ruled the waves. SAIL 2000, ABOARD THE EAGLE includes dramatic footage of many surviving tall ships making their triumphant entrance into New York Harbor in what has become an annual event, but the focus is on the Coast Guard's precious veteran. You'll go aboard the Eagle for a trip from San Francisco to San Diego, and see how the seemingly anachronistic ship is a valuable training platform that instills recruits with the value of seamanship and teamwork, along with a sense of tradition. SAIL 2000, ABOARD THE EAGLE captures the thrill of being on the open sea reveling in the adventure and challenge of sailing.

Average customer rating:

Two Emotionally Charged Greats From Spielberg

Saving Private Ryan/Amistad
Starring: Morgan Freeman , Nigel Hawthorne , Anthony Hopkins , Djimon Hounsou , and Matthew McConaughey
Director: Steven Spielberg
Manufacturer: Dreamworks Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0000DZ3I5
Release Date: 2003-12-09

Customer Reviews:

Two Emotionally Charged Greats From Spielberg.......2006-05-17

Two films that will never get old are offered in one fabulous package. Both directed by Steven Spielberg, they are films that will touch you on many levels, and are films that stand up to many repeated viewings as well.

Saving Private Ryan"...

The year 1998 was a great year for films. We saw Some wonderful English period pieces, including Academy Award Winner "Shakespeare in Love", deep and thought provoking films such as the moving "Affliction", and two WWII films, although very different, both beautiful examples of fine filmmaking honoring the heroes of WWII. "The Thin Red Line" was one of those beautiful pieces of filmmaking, the other "Saving Private Ryan".Both received several nods from "Oscar" with SPR garnering 5 statues including a Best Director for Steven Spielberg(and well deserved).

"Saving Private Ryan" is a very moving story. A mother is about to receive notification from the government that 3 of her 4 sons have been killed in action in Europe(I get a lump in my throat just thinking about that part). A rescue squad risks their own lives to go behind enemy lines in search of the fourth and youngest son to relieve him of his duty and spare his mother another tragedy.

Director Steven Spileberg, along with a cast that couldn't be any better, including the likes of Tom Hanks,Tom Sizemore and Matt Damon, put us right there in midst this dangerous mission. The horrors of the WWII are depicted, quite graphically, as never before, and we really come to a true appreciation of what heroes are fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and husbands were. Not only that but we can't help but to become close to these guys, and feel all the emotions that they are going through.
It is a film that will take it's toll on you emotionally, and one that will stay with you for quite sometime after the view.
The music(John Williams)is hauntingly perfect and the photography(Janusz Kaminski)exquisite.

This is a film that has a deep effect on me no matter how many times I view it. It is a cinematic treasure, a beautiful tribute to our heroes of WWII, and one that should be viewed by every generation to come.

"Amistad"...

Based on actual events, Steven Spielberg and Debbie Allen collaborate to bring us one of the many heart wrenching stories of the plight of Africans,during the illegal slave trade of the 1800's.

A group of African people who were brutally dragged from their villages are being transported for slave trade. Only knowing that they are chained and mistreated one man,breaks loose and leads a rebellion against the ship's crew. In order to ensure their own freedom they must take the lives of their captors. They are discovered in American waters, and a trial ensues as to the question of murder.

It becomes an international case. Everybody from the queen of Spain to the owners of the ship "Amistad" are claiming ownership of these men and women. Being pre-civil war, the abolitionists are also making a case for their freedom.This is a case that could lead America one step closer to Civil War.
One property lawyer who has never worked on a case of this proportion, takes on the task of trying to prove that these are not plantation slaves,but citizens of Africa taken by force and did what they needed to do to be free, as any American would do the same. His task is a difficult one,but as the tragic story of these people unfolds he is able to put on his defense. They also get some help from the ex-president John Quincy Adams,whose eloquence puts the Declaration of Independence to the test.

This is a magnificent piece of cinema in all respects. Spielberg brings to our attention yet another important piece of history that was cruel and inhuman,one of American history that we were hardly aware of.It is an epic film that will wash over you with several different emotions, and you will want to watch it again and again.

No big introduction needed for most of the cast who seemed perfectly fitted to their roles. Matthew McConaughey outstanding as the lawyer, Sir Anthony Hopkins is brilliant as Adams, Morgan Freeman and Stellan Skarsgard are totally believable as the abolitionists,and Pete Postlethwaite perfect as the lawyer for the prosecution. Also in a sterling performance is Djimon Housnsou as Cinque, the spokesperson for the Africans. His portrayal of the enslaved man who only wants his freedom will captivate you.I must also make mention of Nigel Hawthorn and David Paymer for their wonderful performances.The cinematography is breathtaking. The music scored by John Williams and especially the African music will stay with you long after the movie. You will also be impressed with the costume designs. The film was nominated for four Academy awards,including one for Best Supporting for Hopkins.

Two emotionally charged pieces of cinema, from a great Director, that would be an essential part of any film library.
Enjoy...Laurie

Average customer rating:

politically correct twaddle
Powerful Drama
Invoke your ancesters when in trouble
Must See
Powerful!

Amistad [Region 2]
Starring: Morgan Freeman , Nigel Hawthorne , Anthony Hopkins , Djimon Hounsou , and Matthew McConaughey
Director: Steven Spielberg
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( A ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Glory
Malcolm X
The Tuskegee Airmen
Rosewood
The Color Purple

ASIN: B00005A8PB

Amazon.com essential video

Steven Spielberg's most simplistic, sanitized history lesson, Amistad, explores the symbolic 1840s trials of 53 West Africans following their bloody rebellion aboard a slave ship. For most of Schindler's List (and, later, Saving Private Ryan) Spielberg restrains himself from the sweeping narrative and technical flourishes that make him one of our most entertaining and manipulative directors. Here, he doesn't even bother trying, succumbing to his driving need to entertain with beautiful images and contrived emotion. He cheapens his grandiose motives and simplifies slavery, treating it as cut-and-dry genre piece. Characters are easy Hollywood stereotypes--"villains" like the Spanish sailors or zealous abolitionists are drawn one-dimensionally and sneered upon. And Spielberg can't suppress his gifted eye, undercutting normally ugly sequences, such as the terrifying slave passage, which is shot as a gorgeous, well-lit composition. At its core, Amistad is a traditional courtroom drama, centered by a tired, clichéd narrative: a struggling, idealistic young lawyer (Matthew McConaughey) fighting the crooked political system and saving helpless victims. Worse yet, Spielberg actually takes the underlying premise of his childhood fantasy, E.T. and repackages it for slavery. Cinque (Djimon Hounsou), the leader of the West African rebellion, is presented much like the adorable alien: lost, lacking a common language, and trying to find his way home. McConaughey is a grown-up Elliot who tries communicating complicated ideas such as geography by drawing pictures in the sand or language by having Cinque mimic his facial expressions. Such stuff was effective for a sci-fi fantasy about the communication barriers between a boy and a lost alien; here, it seems like a naive view of real, complex history. --Dave McCoy

Customer Reviews:

politically correct twaddle.......2007-07-01

Powerful Drama.......2007-05-12

Yet another winning performance by Morgan Freeman. Realistic in everyway, great for all who love a good drama, filled with emotion.

Invoke your ancesters when in trouble.......2007-04-11

Must See .......2007-03-31

Powerful!.......2007-03-27

This movie is a powerful look into the slave days of America and those who fought to abolish it. All main characters deliver a stunning performance!

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