Amistad poster
Director Steven Spielberg
Writer David Franzoni

Amistad

Tagline: Freedom is not given. It is our right at birth. But there are some moments when it must be taken.

Release Date: 1997-12-10

Duration: 155 minutes

Synopsis

In 1839, the slave ship Amistad set sail from Cuba to America. During the long trip, Cinque leads the slaves in an unprecedented uprising. They are then held prisoner in Connecticut, and their release becomes the subject of heated debate. Freed slave Theodore Joadson wants Cinque and the others exonerated and recruits property lawyer Roger Baldwin to help his case. Eventually, John Quincy Adams also becomes an ally.

Casting

  • Morgan Freeman
    Theodore Joadson
  • Matthew McConaughey
    Roger Sherman Baldwin
  • Anthony Hopkins
    John Quincy Adams
  • Chiwetel Ejiofor
    Ensign Covey
  • Stellan Skarsgård
    Tappan
  • Djimon Hounsou
    Cinque
  • Anna Paquin
    Queen Isabella
  • Paul Guilfoyle
    Attorney
  • John Ortiz
    Montes
  • David Paymer
    Secretary John Forsyth