A great movie that realisticly shows the brutality used agaisnt africans in the 1800's. i doubt many younger kids would be interseted in watching and if they do theres just a few scenes of intense violence and nudity thats shown in a non-sexual way. all in all it's a fantastic film that everyone should see.
Amistad
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Powerful story for mid-teens and up.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Amistad was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this movie deals with issues of race, slavery, and the legal system.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about why it was important to prove where the Africans were from. What was Calhoun's justification for slavery? Why does Tappan say that the death of the Africans may help the cause of abolition more than their freedom? Why does Spielberg organize his story this way, taking the audience from the confrontation to the courtroom and only later providing the background about the capture of the Africans? What does it mean that there is no Mende word for "should"?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Amistad
What’s the Story?
In 1839, a group of Africans sold into slavery were being transported to the United States on a Spanish ship. Off the coast of Cuba, they escaped from their shackles and attacked the crew, leaving two crew members alive to take them back to Africa. The Spanish sailors tricked the Africans and sailed up the coast of the United States until an American naval ship off the coast of Connecticut captures them. Brought into court to determine their fate, the Africans were claimed as property ("like livestock") by both the Spanish crew and by the American captors. Roger Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey), a property lawyer, argues that it is not a property case at all, that since the Africans were not born slaves, they are free, and their actions were merely self-defense in aid of restoring their freedom.
Is It Any Good?
Adams explains that in court the one with the best story wins. Indeed, we hear many different stories in the course of AMISTAD as each character tries to explain why his view is the right one. In the first courtroom scene we hear several different "stories" about what should happen to the Africans. All of those stories assume that the Africans are property; the only question is whose property they are. Interestingly, as "property," they can not be charged with murder or theft. One cannot be both property and capable of forming criminal intent. The only issue before the court is where the Africans will go.
As Baldwin begins to tell Joadson and Tappan his "story" of the case, we see them slowly becoming aware of what had always been obvious to us. The Africans cannot be property. They were free, in which case their actions were not only honorable but heroic, in the same category as America's founding fathers, our own "story" about who we are as Americans. Despite the attempts of Van Buren to subvert the legal system established just decades before, the essential commitment to freedom is so much a part of the story that, at least in this one brief moment, justice triumphed. Adams, the fourth president, made that his story.
Movie Details
Studio: Dreamworks SKG, Director: Steven Spielberg
Run time: 155 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/10/1997, DVD release: 07/27/2000
MPAA Rating: R
Run time: 155 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/10/1997, DVD release: 07/27/2000
MPAA Rating: R
Our Members Say
See all 5 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
-
I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Great movie, 15 and up.
-
I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Not Spielberg's best effort, but it does succeed where he often goes wrong, and overall it is compelling, well-acted, and quite good.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
YOU GOTTA SEE THIS FILM!
It is a massive film, cool, straight forward and rude - great for a history lesson. I think this film is suitable for anyone that is not too scared at the violence - it was pretty horrific at parts. Sad ending as well, but hey, it was real life. It makes you think about the awful contitions slaves had to put up with.
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Good movie overall.
This is simply a good movie. I can't think of any other words to describe it. Watch out for the violence however. Viewers will appreciate however, that the film is only violent/gory when it needs to be, not to simply for sensation. It tells a true story, good historical account, and is very educational. Good for a history class movie ages 15+
-
I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
this is an amazing movie ... it had so much emotion attached to it, happy, VERYY sad at imes, and even mad at the people to hte point where you wish you could just jump in and beat them haha. i learned alot from this movie, and no one should have to go through anything close to what they went through. all i have to say is get your butts out there and watch it i dont think you'll be disappointed.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
Have you seen it?
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
