12 Years a Slave (2013)

R10/18/2013Drama, History2h 14m

The extraordinary true story of Solomon Northup

Overview

In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life.

Top Billed Cast

  1. Cast 1

    Chiwetel Ejiofor

    Solomon Northup

  2. Cast 1

    Michael Fassbender

    Edwin Epps

  3. Cast 1

    Lupita Nyong'o

    Patsey

  4. Cast 1

    Benedict Cumberbatch

    William Ford

  5. Cast 1

    Paul Dano

    John Tibeats

  6. Cast 1

    Sarah Paulson

    Mary Epps

  7. Cast 1

    Adepero Oduye

    Eliza

  8. Cast 1

    Scoot McNairy

    Brown

  9. Cast 1

    Paul Giamatti

    Theophilus Freeman

Sometimes, I just have to stop my brain in the middle of a film and just admire its exceptional craftsmanship. I found myself doing that time and time again during this film. Perhaps I was more open to admiring the shot compositions and acting choices because, as I cynically told myself before the film, it's not like I needed much convincing that slavery was bad. Or perhaps it was because I was shielding myself from the honest brutalities the film convincingly portrayed. Nonetheless, I was reminded of the film "Children of Men," because when I watched that, I was struck by how easily I could i...