12 Years a Slave
October 2013
1
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Synopsis
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4.5
6,613 total
5 4,784
4 1,125
3 328
2 147
1 229
Tom Huddleston
The cumulative emotional effect is devastating: the final scenes are as angry, as memorable, as overwhelming as anything modern cinema has to offer.
Dana Stevens
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.
Chris Vognar
Every scene of 12 Years a Slave, and almost every shot, conveys some penetrating truth about America's original sin.
Wesley Morris
The power of McQueen's movie is in its declaratory style: This happened. That is all, and that is everything.
David Thomson
It is a film that necessity and education demand seeing.
Mick LaSalle
It provokes recognition in us of the very heart of darkness. It makes the unimaginable imaginable.
Critic reviews
Tom Huddleston
The cumulative emotional effect is devastating: the final scenes are as angry, as memorable, as overwhelming as anything modern cinema has to offer.
Dana Stevens
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.
Chris Vognar
Every scene of 12 Years a Slave, and almost every shot, conveys some penetrating truth about America's original sin.
Wesley Morris
The power of McQueen's movie is in its declaratory style: This happened. That is all, and that is everything.
Mick LaSalle
It provokes recognition in us of the very heart of darkness. It makes the unimaginable imaginable.
Moira MacDonald
"12 Years a Slave" isn't easy to watch, and it shouldn't be; it's one man's tragedy, but it's also the tragedy of countless thousands of souls beaten down, literally and metaphorically.
User reviews
Heartbreaking This is one of the most accurate movies of history ive ever seen. I wanted to keep watching but often felt a pain in my chest. I can relate in the sense that im an enrolled member of a federally recognized native american tribe. And anyone with common sense knows what really happened there. This movie was like watching my great great grandmother taken from her tribe and raped and made into a servant. I will buy it and show my children when they are at an age where it is appropriate for them to watch.
![Joachim Jupiter avatar image](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CHHcI2IpNDE/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAK4s/QrLJcRxof_8/w48-c-h48/photo.jpg)
My new favorite horror film 12 Years a Slave is a fantastic piece of cinema. Of all the monster movies I've seen, not one has been so legitimately terrifying as this one. There aren't that many films I would be willing to purchase immediately upon there release. This one made the exception. Chiwetel Ejiofor puts on an excellent performance of being abducted, subjected to and witness to all the horrors of American Slavery. Hans Zimmer's score is also intriguing even if he did just recycle bits from his Inception soundtrack.This is not one to skip.
I do believe in some countries slavery still exist. It is wrong and cruel for any one who exsist today I do believe slavery still exist in other countries I don't believe under any condition should anyone become a slave to another it is cruel in my judgement. I have seen enough cruelty and hate in all countries including the United States of America. All should understand that each human being should be equal and not be ashamed of where or whom u are.
Emotional, Inspiring Film An emotional watch with a few abusive, brutal scenes, but I loved the movie. I re-read the book prior to watching, and I think the filmmakers and actors really did a great job. Normally, I avoid reminders of the hatred some are capable of, but I'm glad I rented "12 Years a Slave" and learned about this period in Solomon's life.
Thought provoking ! A film that makes one think, " What if that had been me as a slave ? ". A question that the slave owner refused to answer when asked by Brad Pitt's character. It was a simple question to answer but yet he choose to avoid giving a definitive answer. Instead he danced all around the question because he knew his truthful response would have condemned slavery and his own perpetuation of it. A powerful film.
![Bryan Jones avatar image](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T9iluApEIbk/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAAG4/-EpjO4Aqu_A/w48-c-h48/photo.jpg)
Inspiring I really don't have to many words to describe this movie because it made me extremely emotional, but we as African Americans need to realize that this is what or ancestors went through for us, so we need (TODAY) not let their focus of life down, standing strong & stopping the violence and ignorant actions that a lot of us are doing this day in time. This film woke me up in life.
![Shamus Bojangels avatar image](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nv04QL_xPBs/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAAFI/9OAAtW9D66g/w48-c-h48/photo.jpg)
12 Years of Fun A laugh out loud comedy that's fun for the whole family. It even adds to the comedic value of it all due to the fact that it's a true story. I feel that it's mix of both crude and intellectual humor really brings something for everyone. It's a great time and is definitely the best comedy of the year.
This is an important film that WILL win the best picture Academy Award! That being said.. It doesn't deserve it! Its a great film! And it is important for people to view it especially the tech generations that know about slavery but have never seen the absolute horrors(other than Tarentino's almost comical at times 'Django') but Best Picture should probably goto Dallas buyers club. Because it fulfilled all of the requirements. Without including the element (AND PLEASE DONT THINK IM PREJUDICE) of something that makes descendant of slave owners uncomfortable.. Well im outta
![zach lee avatar image](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jpaxZDWSu5I/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAAe8/ozctQfDZuNo/w48-c-h48/photo.jpg)
Beautiful An outstanding film . It is very sad to see that people would treat any human being like that. It takes a man with no soul, no heart if you will to look a man straight in his eye and beat him knowing that this will cause him pain not only physical but emotional pain that will stay with him for the rest of is life. It is just sad. Very good movie highly recomended
![Jay Hiza avatar image](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EEfBf2LsKd4/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAVUs/aO7F9Dzt-wY/w48-c-h48/photo.jpg)
Riveting yet deeply disturbing This film is a must see in my opinion - but you'll probably only want to watch it once. It's a gritty, raw, violent, saddening, and poetic look at the horrors of slavery, and it's worthy of all the accolades. This isn't Django Unchained though... Weak stomachs need not apply.
![Redwan Huq avatar image](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pJ5IPFlXXV8/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAonI/dkOoWT9TjHs/w48-c-h48/photo.jpg)
Disappointed An artsy movie about slavery and the atrocities of slavery. No more, no less. It's full of hackneyed cringe worthy scenes and long emotional cuts. It showcases acting and directing, not story. This isn't a period piece by any means, unlike Lincoln, Amistad, Glory, etc. If you were expecting to be entertained or a new take on this concept, look elsewhere.
![DIAMOND Q JAY avatar image](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zmJBv1xfv4c/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAANc/HqDuZThUSYE/w48-c-h48/photo.jpg)
Great movie! Some of these butt hurt white people wanna call this racist But this is history and what really happened to black people back then. Everyone should know there history and background. And this is our background. Seeing what my ancestors been through makes me proud they fought for our freedom.and proud that I have such strong ancestors. The white people that don't like it. Just hating because they have nothing positive to look up to in their history💁👍😂😂😂
![Jeremy Bocquet avatar image](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gtR-zfpL0Vg/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAAAw/gEgmlx1z48E/w48-c-h48/photo.jpg)
Brutal, Yet Beautiful 12 Years A Slave, is this dark story about the kidnapping of a free slave who is sold into slavery. Mcqueen makes characters that you despise because they are so believable in their cruelty, yet it never feels like it goes to far. We root for Solomon, feel his pain, and understand his will to survive. For those that haven't seen or read the story, I totally recommend it, its powerful and necessary. Ewefor and Fassbender steal the show make their characters realistic. This is easily an Oscar winner with Her
![Carrie Goering avatar image](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z8TbT2BVenM/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAAp8/V9SxoL2zmBQ/w48-c-h48/photo.jpg)
Would be nice to see a positive movie instead of tired subjects all the time. Is this what Sidney Poitier (pls forgive if that's misspelled) is that what he integrated TV for? Just to be seen as a slave or victim? Hell no! He was that badass called MISTER Tibbs!!! Knew when I saw the trailer my hopes for Forest Whitaker rec another Oscar this year were over altho IMO he much more deserves it! Look we all know slavery happened. Why stir up old feelings when none of us were even alive 175yrs ago? What alot of ppl don't realize is many of these folks were already enslaved when they were purchased. Had been that way for 1000's of years (google Egyptians). Ever heard of them? Think they own slaves? Well the pyramids didn't build themselves! Guess who their ppl are today?
![Kenji Castro avatar image](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-X4xYkAx239I/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAhto/MHhv1bV7a3M/w48-c-h48/photo.jpg)
Such emotion Easily one of the best films I've ever seen. The scenes are powerful. The message is clear. It shows humans at their worst/best. To think this was the normal way of thinking at the time is just, almost crazy, you can't even imagine how someone can do this to another person. We all feel the same, want the same. It's sad we still have people that do think like this, so much hate and racism, it's just boggles the mind.
Cast and credits
Actors | Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Brad Pitt |
Director | Steve McQueen |
Additional information
Rotten tomatoes® score
Audio language
Subtitles
English
Info cards
Run time
134 minutes
Rating
R
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