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Amistad
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Amistad

Amistad

1997
Drama, History
2h 35m
Based on a true story, a group of enslaved Africans aboard the slaveship La Amistad overtake the ship and attempt to return to their homeland. When the ship is seized, the captives are brought to the United States where an enthralling courtroom battle ensues that captures the attention of the entire nation while confronting the very foundation of the American justice system. (DreamWorks)

Directed by:

Steven Spielberg

Screenwriter:

David Franzoni

Starring:

Stellan Skarsgård, Xander Berkeley, David Paymer, Anthony Hopkins, Anna Paquin, Morgan Freeman, Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, Pete Postlethwaite, Jeremy Northam, Tomas Milian, Kevin J. O'Connor

Genres:

Drama, History

Country:

USA

Languages:

English, Spanish, Portuguese, Mende
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Amistad

1997
Drama, History
2h 35m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 50.7% from 2342 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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davidblastDavidBlast
Rated 09 Dec 2010
70
65th
The least Spielbergian of his films, with only a few masterly crafted scenes of note (especially the first one). Whilst it is brave and important material, 'Amistad' seems to be Oscar catering more than anything else - complete with a scene devouring performance by Hopkins, gifted with his own jaw-droppingly inspirational court appeal. I would have been impressed, but after the 'sailing into the night' speech in 'Independence Day', I was kinda 'Meh'. I jest.
Rated 09 Dec 2010
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 21 Nov 2009
85
87th
An intense film that flirts with greatness but is ultimately dragged down by too many melodramatic moments. Djimon Housou and Anthony Hopkins were fantastic in their roles and stole every scene they were in (which thankfully were the majority of them). The rest of the actors did admirably except Morgan Freeman who didn't really seem to fit. It's a long one but worth the time invested.
Rated 21 Nov 2009
jimmynmujimmynmu
Rated 27 Jan 2007
53
32nd
Suprisingly forgettable, considering it's by Spielberg.
Rated 27 Jan 2007
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 21 Apr 2009
7
64th
Give us our free!
Rated 21 Apr 2009
lexlex
Rated 11 Dec 2012
75
40th
Although when you're watching Amistad you may think that the film is all over the place, it all comes together in such a way that you still feel like you've watched something special, with powerful moments that sometimes rival those of Schindler's List or Saving Private Ryan even though the movie isn't as consistently even. Unfairly overlooked and highly recommended.
Rated 11 Dec 2012
hellboy76hellboy76
Rated 25 Sep 2010
67
57th
Not a huge fan of courtroom movies and it being set this far back doesn't really add to the excitement factor, but it is well made and well acted.
Rated 25 Sep 2010
pompousasspompousass
Rated 03 Apr 2010
20
44th
Just as Spielberg followed Jurassic Park (very soon) with Schindler's List, he follows the Jurassic Park sequel (equally soon) with something to do with the African slave trade: these would be the Good Works that counterbalance the Money Lust. The courtroom arena dictates that the Big Issues will be hashed out, the Big Points spelled out, in talk, talk, talk. And for doubters, or dolts, who require more tangible evidence of the unpleasantness of slavery, there will be a fifteen-minute flashback
Rated 03 Apr 2010
silverSilver
Rated 13 Mar 2009
6
56th
It is E.T. for black people. The favourite Spielberg's theme - the lack of communication - is here, but in much boring context. Two striking scenes throughout the movie: the iconic one - Hounsou stabbing the Spanish captain to death under the rain; and the idiotic one - Hounsou shouting in rotten English for his freedom accompanied by the most embarrassing score in John Williams' history. The fascination by the New Testament story was a nice touch though, ha-ha.
Rated 13 Mar 2009
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 10 Nov 2008
80
74th
got to be a bit boring at times, but overall a powerful well written and directed movie.
Rated 10 Nov 2008
servantdagonServantDagon
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
86th
Solid, and pretty underrated Spielberg film. Djimon Hounsou shines.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
sirsassSirSass
Rated 22 Jul 2023
60
44th
https://i.imgur.com/wETEi6S.jpeg - Spielberg if he won the Oscar.
Rated 22 Jul 2023
panzerwolfpanzerwolf
Rated 15 Oct 2022
70
57th
The story here is interesting and something I wasn't entirely familiar with before now. The cast is stellar and most parts of the courtroom drama are not boring, though there are some sections of the movie that do drag on. I felt like some characters did not serve that much of a role in the movie, such as Morgan Freeman's former slave. The white people were either assholes or saviors and there was little gray area to be found here.
Rated 15 Oct 2022
ultrightultright
Rated 15 Mar 2022
1
2nd
Some movies are such obvious modernity propaganda that all enjoyment flees the scene. Add to that clumsy film-making that is boxy and has no sense of rhythm, and you get this horror of a cinematic fecalization.
Rated 15 Mar 2022
esperhartEsperHart
Rated 14 Feb 2021
100
86th
Would give it 110 if I could. Brilliant. Powerful. Amazing. Heart-wrenching. More people need to see this film than have seen this film. https://esperwatchesfilms.tumblr.com/post/643080341040627712/amistad-1997
Rated 14 Feb 2021
aalperraaaalperraa
Rated 27 Dec 2020
70
42nd
2019, Kartal İstanbul
Rated 27 Dec 2020
boomdiddlyboomdiddly
Rated 17 Jul 2020
80
83rd
A remarkable story well-told. It is well-framed, starting in medias res not for the purpose of grabbing our attention, but for the purpose of distancing the audience from our hero, Cinque. Later, when the background is given, it reframes the story. It is a powerful shift.
Rated 17 Jul 2020
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 29 Mar 2020
77
54th
Overlong drama has enough powerful moments (and terrific performances) to be worthwhile, even if its most engaging elements (the depiction of the mutiny itself and Hopkins' towering work as Adams) are given fairly short shrift. Odd structuring of the courtroom plot (resulting in an initial false exoneration) makes Adams' final summation feel like a deus ex machina rather than an integral part of the drama, and a too-wide array of characters makes the film lose focus at several key points.
Rated 29 Mar 2020
rottentRottenT
Rated 28 Mar 2018
76
51st
Heartfelt without resorting to preachiness, Amistad tells an important story with engaging sensitivity and absorbing skill.
Rated 28 Mar 2018
boxcarsBoxcars
Rated 14 Dec 2016
6
32nd
The story of the Amistad is a remarkable one, but this is decidedly unremarkable for a Spielberg feature. As noted by Roger Ebert, the greatest accomplishment of this film was giving an actual voice and face to the African characters; Hounsou steals the show here.
Rated 14 Dec 2016
nevejasnevejas
Rated 22 Aug 2015
82
82nd
Did you know, that Morgan Freeman invented Hollywood in the early 18 hundreds? Compared to that, story of Amistad is just child's play. However, it still pushes all the required buttons to show you how important freedom is to Americans and repeats it over and over and over (and over) again. Spielberg makes sure, that by the time the movie ends even your dog gets it. Its it clichéd? Yes. Were McConaughey and Hopkins having fun? Yes. Was Morgan Freeman in it? Yes. Nuff said. Instaclassic.
Rated 22 Aug 2015
filliganFilligan
Rated 20 Jun 2015
88
72nd
The response to this film is strange to say the least. Overblown and transparent? Spielberg is almost as brutal as Schindler's List here, and naturally it's transparent -- how the hell do you temper a subject like slavery? Hounsou is unforgettable and the rest of the cast does a fine job. I like that Spielberg wasn't afraid to let the film take its time; it may be long, but none of it is wasted. The powerful imagery and characters' fight keep it captivating.
Rated 20 Jun 2015
groovysoulsGroovy_Souls
Rated 10 Dec 2014
70
56th
Amistad is a pretty damn good film. It does justice to the original story and provides a good look back into history. I very much enjoyed Anthony Hopkins and Honsou, but surprisingly McConaughey and Freeman felt strangely out of place. The story had its ups and downs yet they were mostly ups. This is a solid Spielberg film, but definitely not the best.
Rated 10 Dec 2014
silverlitSilver_lit
Rated 12 Aug 2014
88
84th
Great performances by Anthony Hopkins and Djimon Hounsou. It starts very slow, but ended up being well-written and well-made.
Rated 12 Aug 2014
zipsterZipster
Rated 11 Aug 2014
85
68th
Djimon Hounsou's performance relies considerably on his screen presence, which is a powerhouse. Some of the other performances are somewhat let-downs. I was taken aback by how little substance or screen time was given to the Morgan Freeman character, a former slave turned abolitionist who in his few scenes tells of the mines of humanity that stay buried. Maybe that's the point: It's not about being black at the time; it's about the laws of the time.
Rated 11 Aug 2014
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 09 Feb 2014
75
65th
I want it to be forever known that I watched this right after finishing Little Man. When Van Buren came on screen I thought it was Mel Brooks and it wasn't. Spielberg trolling for Oscars.
Rated 09 Feb 2014
spuddingspudding
Rated 12 Dec 2013
73
52nd
I expected a totally different movie, and i found a legal drama with some "freedom" propaganda. A good movie, with somewhat cheesy acting. Nice monologues though.
Rated 12 Dec 2013
thehynesthehynes
Rated 06 Sep 2013
61
71st
A good historical courtroom drama which taught me about a real life event that I'd never heard of. Occasionally it's nice to be educated as well as entertained! It's also something of a unique film in this day and age in that it doesnt present the English/British as being complete and utter f'ers.9 out of 10 Hollywood films asked to deal with the same event would either write them out completely or present them as bogeymen.A refreshing change. Oh yeah,and Slavery...how f'd was that??!!
Rated 06 Sep 2013
trixrabbiTrixRabbi
Rated 03 Feb 2013
73
38th
Good, with a fantastic performance by Hounsou. But ultimately pales in comparison to some of Spielberg's greater works, especially with Lincoln now on the plate. However, credit for a strikingly brutal depiction of slavery and strong performances. Perhaps if it were half an hour shorter and the cinematography had been stronger (it looks like every other mid-nineties period piece) it would hold up better.
Rated 03 Feb 2013
glm01glm01
Rated 08 Jan 2013
74
48th
73.500
Rated 08 Jan 2013
eric_janeric-jan
Rated 03 Aug 2012
80
88th
Amazingly emotional movie which, at times, chilled me to the bone. Great performances by Djimon Hounsou and Anthony Hopkins!! I can't believe that this movie isn't in the "epic" category..! It misses something and I can't point out what that is exactly.. Everyone should watch it though! "GIVE US US FREE!!"
Rated 03 Aug 2012
wulfewuLFe
Rated 20 Jun 2012
65
22nd
Too schmaltzy for my tastes, but I guess I could see how the sentimental could enjoy this...
Rated 20 Jun 2012
eldarzachEldarZach
Rated 18 Mar 2012
68
13th
BORING
Rated 18 Mar 2012
sumbitchSumbitch
Rated 16 Mar 2012
85
48th
Loved this film. Besides the great story, acting, etc; I really appreciate the level of detail given to this often forgotten about period of American history.
Rated 16 Mar 2012
wayofthegunwayofthegun
Rated 03 Mar 2012
50
11th
Amistad has some nice scenes and strong acting from a great cast, but the movie is just too boring and, to me, uninteresting for me to say it's good. Definitely too long of a runtime.
Rated 03 Mar 2012
kasperlKasperL
Rated 07 Nov 2011
55
39th
Sometimes almost great but never as great as it aims to be. Hopkin's final speech is a highlight and watch out for Chiwetel Ejiofor's debut as the translater.
Rated 07 Nov 2011
stevekimesstevekimes
Rated 10 Mar 2011
82
58th
Some of the images of this film enter into my head, unbidden.
Rated 10 Mar 2011
lenynhalenynha
Rated 28 Feb 2011
65
20th
An north american way to see and tell the african diaspora.
Rated 28 Feb 2011
glmglm
Rated 29 Dec 2010
74
52nd
74.375
Rated 29 Dec 2010
waddayanutswaddayanuts
Rated 13 Sep 2010
60
14th
Spielberg playing serious again. Will you please stop and make another E.T.?
Rated 13 Sep 2010
anselmi86Anselmi86
Rated 28 Jul 2009
90
89th
May be Spielberg's most underrated film. Absolutely gorgeous cinematography and stellar performances by Djimon Hounsou and Anthony Hopkins.
Rated 28 Jul 2009
smacfarlsmacfarl
Rated 26 Jul 2009
89
68th
Interesting surface examination of historical slavery issues. There is much more complexity here than shown. Triumphant feel good movie.
Rated 26 Jul 2009
pigletPiglet
Rated 25 Jul 2009
67
48th
A bit too overstated, but decent enough.
Rated 25 Jul 2009
reeseReese
Rated 06 Jun 2009
73
36th
bit over rated.
Rated 06 Jun 2009
eyeforfilmeyeforfilm
Rated 31 Mar 2009
50
94th
"...gives Steven Spielberg an opportunity to demonstrate his mastery of the cinematic arts."
Rated 31 Mar 2009
hahaHaha
Rated 25 Mar 2009
91
83rd
Moving work from Spielberg wit a great ensemble. Goes on for a little too long, but otherwise, very underrated work here. Direction is breathtaking.
Rated 25 Mar 2009
piratekittyPirateKitty
Rated 15 Jan 2009
94
92nd
Very moving, it's a movie that really gets to you
Rated 15 Jan 2009
doctor7doctor7
Rated 27 Feb 2008
87
88th
Astounding film that introduced me to Djimon Hounsou, who was fantastic in it. Anthony Hopkins is also great, as usual, and Matthew McConaughey finally does something besides a romantic comedy and shows he's a quite capable actor. Spielberg fan or not, this is a film that all should see.
Rated 27 Feb 2008
kazammkazamm
Rated 20 Jan 2008
79
61st
Powerful.
Rated 20 Jan 2008
lookinglandLookingLand
Rated 16 Nov 2007
65
72nd
deeply flawed, but i can't help liking it.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
battletoadBattleToad
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
76th
A heartfelt and powerful film, Amistad shows the terrible ways people can treat others as things or possessions. With moving performances by Anthony Hopkins and even more-so by Djimon Hounsou who plays the leader of the enslaved Africans, Amistad is a very captivating film. Really good!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
triletrile
Rated 14 Aug 2007
98
93rd
auritechauritech
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
61st
A tearjerker true (very few Spielberg films aren't), but it has its merits.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
jackpulpJackPulp
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
36th
it was a very touching movie and i love the controversy brough up about the scene where spielberg had the slaves tied to each other and then had a weight dropped into the ocean...classic
Rated 14 Aug 2007
lifeandalllifeandall
Rated 14 Aug 2007
20
3rd
This was Spielberg???? I watched it because of that alone, but it was so boring.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
sushiwritersushiwriter
Rated 14 Aug 2007
83
63rd
Good pacing, good drama.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
spoonerspotspoonerspot
Rated 14 Aug 2007
81
71st
Good enough to watch twice
Rated 14 Aug 2007
stainStain
Rated 06 May 2007
0
8th
This movie is everything that I hate about Hollywood "prestige" movies. Overwrought, obvious "message", and boring as hell
Rated 06 May 2007
martrynmartryn
Rated 25 Mar 2007
68
44th
I'm just not a huge fan of this type of film. BORING.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 22 Feb 2007
60
62nd
Good.
Rated 22 Feb 2007
ilparaIlPara
Rated 08 Feb 2007
50
6th
Spielberg is one of my favourite director. But I didn't like this movie so much
Rated 08 Feb 2007
madisomadiso
Rated 29 Jan 2007
35
8th
it s to much boring for me and spielberg
Rated 29 Jan 2007
theallianceTheAlliance
Rated 06 Jan 2007
77
47th
Powerfull story, but the film failed to connect with the viewers.
Rated 06 Jan 2007

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