film “Amistad” review
As i suppose, slavery is seen mostly as a matter of laws and property. At least to those benefiting from it. One of the astonishing facts is revealed in Amistad movie by Steven Spielberg is which considered as one of the most eye-opening films covering historical events. This film “Amistad” was released in 1997, and it portrayed past events concerning the worst experience of African slaves in America. Meanwhile, this film depicts a series of events that happened in the year 1839 . It surrounds the successful action by s captured Africans who were being transported by ship to America as slaves. According to the film, in 1839, some Africans who were transported by Spanish ship la Amistad carried out a rebellious action leading to seizing of slavery America. The film mostly shows how one some slaves fought for the abolishment of slavery.
Amistad Movie originates from the event that occurred in the Spanish ship La Amistad, a slave-ship which carried enslaved Africans to America. It covers historical facts of slavery that happened in the eighteen century, and most probably it highlights a rebellion event that occurred in Spanish ship that afterwards leads to seizing of slavery in southern and northern parts of America. After watching the movie, it is clear that in many instances, African Americans were treated very poorly and oppressed as if they were not the same creatures the captors were.
In the event of transportation of African slaves to America using Spanish ship, La Amistad, in 1839, one of the slaves, Sengbe Pieh, broke free from his locks and led a fight on the ship. Sengbe, mostly referred in Spaniard name as “Cinque,” picked a nail inside the ship and used it to break the lock and free himself from his shackles. Cinque is portrayed by his courageous, determination and brave characters, whereby after freeing himself, he releases a good number of his companions and initiates a rebellion. Together with his companions (slaves), kill all the crew, including the cook and the captain leaving two people. They demand to have taken back to Africa.
The Spanish sailors agree to take these African slaves back to Africa to avoid death, but without the slaves’ knowledge, they sail the ship to America. After reaching the United States, the slaves are put in jail and have charges in the court for murder. The hearings began at the state level, after which it has taken into the Supreme Court. The film heavily focuses on the 1841 Supreme Court case whereby American justice system is giving the duty of determining what is supposed to happen to the Africans abroad the Spanish ship, ship’s captain and all the other property aboard the ship. Luckily, a real estate lawyer, Mathew, who bases his cases on property law is to decide the case and sees his clients as human beings. A former slave named Morgan freeman and an immigrant Stellan supported the case, and it is agreed that Cinque and his fellows were illegal stolen; thus they were released after being found they rightfully defended themselves from being enslaved.
In conclusion, Amistad movie mainly portrays events that lead to the abolishment of slavery in the United States and after that political changes. It is based on the story of Cinque, who is the main character and shows determination is leading a rebellion in the Spanish ship, La Amistad. Cinque, together with his fellows, killed all crew and they have taken to court in America. For the first time, justice and equality are seen in American supreme court when the Black American win the case and Cinque and his fellows are released.
I recommend one to watch “Schindlers list” by Spielberg’s as he/she will like it. It similar to Amistad as both films are not the argument against immorality. Instead, they convey about how good people try to work realistically within the evil environment to save a few of its victims. Besides, Schindler’s list is a more compelling film, as its strategies are ingenious. At the same time, Amistad uses legal tactics where lawyers are powered to determine the case of people whose language is different from theirs.