Release Date: 5/4/1999 Original Release: 1997 Format: DVD Widescreen Length: 155 minutes Rating:R (MPAA) Rating Reason: For some scenes of strong brutal violence and some related nudity UPC: 667068416220 Studio: Universal Studios Home Video
Based on actual events in 1838, AMISTAD is the story of captured African slaves who took over their transport ship in a bloody revolt with the hopes of returning back to their homeland. After the slaves are caught and imprisoned, their leader, Cinque (Djimon Hounsou), unable to understand the language or court system of America, tries to communicate his desire to return home to his defense lawyer, Roger Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey), and former slave Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman). The men plead for help with their groundbreaking court case from former president John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins). Steven Spielberg directed this moving film, using as a reference the book by William A. Owens, BLACK MUTINY: THE REVOLT ON THE SCHOONER AMISTAD. The Africans in the movie speak Mende, with subtitles added. West African actor Djimon Hounsou had to learn to speak the language for his role--and was nominated for a Golden Globe. Spielberg shot the film at the State House in Providence, Rhode Island, the seaport in Mystic, Connecticut, and other New England locations.
DVD Features
Region 1 Keep Case Dual Layer Letterbox - 1.85 Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 - English Additional Release Material: Featurette Talent Bios Trailers: Theatrical Trailer Text/Photo Galleries: Production Notes
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