Based on 300 votes and 81 reviews.
What an excellent movie!! Chjwetel Ejiofor is the main character, a free black man from the northern states who gets kidnapped and sold into slavery. The movie is based on a true story, and has all the elements you would expect - racism, slavery, intolerance, ignorance - unsettling and disturbing but true to the period. The acting is terrific, especially by Ejiofor. As upsetting as it can be, it should be seen by all. Directed by Steve McQueen. FIVE STARS!
Good movie, but could have been made a bit shorter by shortening some scenes (like when he was hanging there) by a few minutes. Very moving.
excellent movie but hard to watch in places
Based on a true story, the plot involves a free black man who, through trickery, becomes enslaved for 12 years. It's an historial drama - bleak, depressing, and disturbing. It hosts an all-star cast with Chjwetel Ejiofor as the main character and who does a superb job, & co-stars Brad Pitt and Benedict Cumberbatch. Written and directed by Steve McQueen, this movie is absolutely a must-see, and should not be missed.
I saw this last night. It's based on the true journal of a free black man from New York who was kidnapped in the 1830s and sold into slavery. It is a very well-crafted movie: superb acting, excellent script and direction, cinematography was great. I rate it very highly: 4/5 stars. However, I can not say I actually 'enjoyed' it. The subject matter is gut-wrenching. When I walked out of the theater I felt as though I'd been kicked in the stomach. I don't recommend watching this if you are easily upset by the evil some people are capable of.
gripping, raw
Oscar nomination definitely!!
Based on a true story, this retelling of what was Solomon Northrup's reality is often very hard to watch. It is an assault on your psyche; and the brilliance in the filmmaking is evident. The silences, cinematography, soundtrack all contribute to enhance the acting in this film. Powerful!! A must see for ALL.
Horrifying account of one Nan's seemingly hopeless journey from freedom, to slavery, and his attempts to re-gain that precious right. Not for the faint of heart, this movie shows all the inhumanity and violence of the south during the time of slavery. A great story, but very hard to watch.
Brutally honest portrayal of slavery in southern U.S. seen through the heart-breaking eyes of a once free man captured to be a slave over a 12-yr. period. I see Oscar nominations all-around.