Drama, History, Biography (USA, UK — 2013)

The story of Solomon Northup, an African-American living with a wife and two children in Saratoga, New York, who is kidnapped and sold into slavery by men claiming to offer him work as a circus musician. Transported by ship to New Orleans, it isn't long before he is given a new name and sold to William Ford, a relatively empathetic slave owner. But confrontations with the cruel and violent overseer John Tibeats lead to Solomon being passed on by Ford to the extremely abusive and alcoholic planter Edwin Epps, who rules his slaves with a whip in one hand and a Bible in the other. Believing the only hope of regaining his freedom is to remain passive for the time being, Solomon ceases fighting against the illegitimacy of his situation until salvation is offered to him by a kindly labourer named Bass.

Directed by: Steve McQueen
Written by: John Ridley
Produced by: Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Bill Pohlad, Steve McQueen, Arnon Milchan
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Paul Giamatti, Benedict Cumberbatch

Length: 129 mins.
Rating: 15 (BBFC)

Audio Tracks: en, de
Subtitles: en, de
DVD/BD Region: 2
Purchased on: 07 March 2015