12 Years a Slave (2013)
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Critic Consensus: It's far from comfortable viewing, but 12 Years a Slave's unflinchingly brutal look at American slavery is also brilliant -- and quite possibly essential -- cinema.
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Cast
as Solomon Northup
as Epps
as Ford
as Freeman
as Bass
as Mrs. Epps
as Tibeats
as Patsey
as Mistress Shaw
as Robert
as Brown
as Armsby
as Uncle Abram
as Overseer
as Judge Turner
as Anna
as Anne Northup
as Margaret Northup
as Mr. Moon
as Hamilton
as Burch
as Radburn
as Randall
as Clemens
as John
as Eliza
as Emily
as Biddee
as Captain
as Mulatto Woman
as Sailor
as Jonus Ray
as Jasper
as Fitzgerald
as Parker
as Cape
as Buyer
as Mistress Ford
as Rachel
as Chapin
as Treach
as Phebe
as Sam
as Edward
as Bob
as Patroller
as Victim 1
as Victim 2
as Master Shaw
as Zachary
as Slave Spiritual Singer 1
as Slave Spiritual Singer 2
as Sheriff
as Margaret's Husband
as Alonzo Northup
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Critic Reviews for 12 Years a Slave
All Critics (338) | Top Critics (54) | Fresh (323) | Rotten (15)
It speaks to the courage and resilience of one man, the savagery of many, and the potential, for both good and for ill, in us all.
In its own saintly manner, it's as exploitative as anything critics accused Django Unchained of being, minus Tarantino's eye for idiosyncrasy and sense of humor.
The cumulative emotional effect is devastating: the final scenes are as angry, as memorable, as overwhelming as anything modern cinema has to offer.
So overpowering is this film's simple, horrible, and almost entirely true story that it's hard to get enough distance on 12 Years a Slave to poke at its inner workings.
Every scene of 12 Years a Slave, and almost every shot, conveys some penetrating truth about America's original sin.
The power of McQueen's movie is in its declaratory style: This happened. That is all, and that is everything.
Audience Reviews for 12 Years a Slave
It is not very clear what McQueen wants with this unflinching but detached story of survival, as he throws together scenes of brutal realism with theatrical dialogue, cartoonish villains and a plot that seems more interested in the torture than offering any new insight into the subject.
Super Reviewer
One of the best films of 2013. Nominated for an impressive nine Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay. Winner of four Golden Globes including Best Picture and Best Actor and was victorious in capturing three Oscars including Best Supported Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay and winning the Best Picture Oscar of 2013.
Super Reviewer
So far, the best of the Academy Award contenders I've seen. Next would be The Wolf of Wall Street. 12 Years a Slave is a must-see.
Super Reviewer
12 Years a Slave Quotes
| Bass: | Laws change. Social systems crumble. Universal truths are constant. It is a fact - it is a plain fact that what is true and right is true and right for all. White and black alike. |
| Solomon Northup: | I am Solomon Northup. I am a free man; a resident of Saratoga, New York. The residence also of my wife and children who are equally free. I have papers. You have no right whatsoever to detain me... |
| Tibeats: | You will not live to see another day! |
| Solomon Northup: | I will not fall into despair! I will keep myself hardy until freedom is opportune! |