Slavery is an evil practice of stripping humans of all their rights and binding them under the will and ownership of another human master.
A slave has to work without any remuneration or respite for their master, who usually gives them little to no human rights.
The practice of slavery has been abolished in all parts of the world since the 20th century. However, throughout history, there were many civilizations and empires where slavery was the backbone and driving force.
Most commonly, the Roman empire, the British empire, American history, the Egyptian empires, etc., were built on the hard work, sweat, and blood of slaves.
This shameful aspect of our history has been recorded and documented through Hollywood movies. Today, ENTOIN brings you a list of all those movies that are based on the theme of slavery or have depicted the life and struggles of slaves.
Although it is a sad and shameful thing, we need to identify and acknowledge it so that we do not repeat it in the future.
Here is the list of the most popular movies on the topic of slavery that have caught the fancy of the audiences or have tugged at our heartstrings and made us take note of them.
BiographyDramaHistory
Director:
Steve McQueen
Release Date:
Fri Nov 8 2013
Star Cast:
Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Fassbender
Budget:
$20,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$187,733,202
"12 Years a Slave" tells the compelling true story of Solomon Northup, a free African American man living peacefully with his family in New York.
Adapted from Northup's memoir, the film explores his harrowing ordeal after being deceived, kidnapped, and sold into slavery in Washington D.C. It received nine Academy Award nominations and won three, including Best Picture.
During his twelve years in captivity on Southern plantations, Northup endures immense hardship while fighting to regain his freedom. His eventual release comes at a great personal cost, as he is tragically separated from his beloved wife and family.
Recommended:
DramaRomanceWar
Director:
Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Sam Wood
Release Date:
Wed Jan 17 1940
Star Cast:
Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Thomas Mitchell
Budget:
$3,977,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$402,382,193
"Gone With The Wind" is an iconic American Civil War drama, adapted from Margaret Mitchell's acclaimed novel of the same name. The film captures the turbulence and transformation of a nation at war, presenting deeply human stories shaped by history.
Directed by the celebrated Victor Fleming, this cinematic masterpiece earned him an Oscar and garnered a total of ten Academy Awards, along with numerous other accolades recognizing its enduring impact on film history.
The narrative centers on the intertwined destinies of two Southern plantation families, following their struggles and resilience as they navigate the upheavals caused by the Civil War.
At the heart of the story is Scarlett O'Hara, whose unrequited love for Ashley Wilkes sets off a complex emotional journey. While Ashley marries his cousin, heartbroken Scarlett ultimately weds Rhett Butler but cannot let go of her first love.
All of these personal dramas unfold amid the devastating changes of war, as the characters’ lives and fortunes are irreversibly altered.
Recommended:
DocumentaryCrimeHistory
Director:
Ava DuVernay
Release Date:
Fri Oct 7 2016
Star Cast:
Melina Abdullah, Michelle Alexander, Cory Booker
Box Office (Worldwide):
$566
"13th" is a powerful documentary directed by Ava DuVernay that delves into the history and consequences of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, highlighting the ongoing exploitation of its loopholes in contemporary American society.
The film exposes how African Americans have been disproportionately targeted by the criminal justice system, resulting in alarmingly high conviction and incarceration rates.
DuVernay thoughtfully examines how the amendment's allowance for involuntary servitude as punishment for crime has facilitated practices such as convict leasing.
Through an exploration of Jim Crow laws, lynching, disenfranchisement, the war on drugs, and other oppressive measures, the documentary reveals how these tactics have been systematically used against minorities.
Recommended:
AdventureBiographyDrama
Director:
Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Mann
Release Date:
Thu Nov 17 1960
Star Cast:
Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons
Budget:
$12,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$1,844,917
"Spartacus" is a sweeping historical epic set during the height of the Roman Empire. Based on Howard Fast’s celebrated novel, the film brings to life the dramatic events of the Third Servile War, a pivotal chapter in ancient history.
The screenplay was crafted by Dalton Trumbo, who was courageously working while blacklisted by the House Un-American Activities Committee during the time of production.
The narrative explores the deeply rooted system of slavery that formed the backbone of the empire, delving into the hardships and dehumanization experienced by countless individuals.
Driven beyond endurance by relentless oppression, the gladiator Spartacus rises up, leading a powerful army of fellow slaves in open rebellion, and igniting the legendary Third Servile War.
Recommended:
AdventureComedyDrama
Director:
Radu Jude
Release Date:
Fri Jan 22 2016
Star Cast:
Teodor Corban, Mihai Comanoiu, Toma Cuzin
Budget:
€1,250,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$350,110
Aferim! is a Romanian film that was submitted as the country's official entry for the 88th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.
The movie is a unique blend of comedy and drama set in medieval times, offering an authentic glimpse into the era's way of life. The story follows Carfin Pandolean, a Romani slave who escapes from the estate of a powerful boyar named Iordache.
To recover his runaway slave, the mayor recruits a police officer, Costandin, to pursue Carfin. Claiming that Carfin had an affair with his wife, the mayor insists the fugitive be captured and brought back for punishment.
Drama
Director:
Haile Gerima
Release Date:
Fri May 28 1993
Star Cast:
Kofi Ghanaba, Oyafunmike Ogunlano, Alexandra Duah
Budget:
$1,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$2,198,984
"Sankofa" is a powerful Ethiopian film directed and written by the acclaimed filmmaker Haile Gerima. It earned a nomination for the prestigious Golden Bear award at the Berlin International Film Festival and is widely recognized as an essential film that broadens viewers’ cinematic horizons.
The title "Sankofa" comes from the Ghanaian Akan language and means to "go back to the past to gain wisdom and strength." The film follows the journey of a modern-day model who, initially self-absorbed, suddenly finds herself reliving the life of a West Indian slave.
Through this transformative experience, she comes to truly understand and appreciate the freedoms and opportunities she once took for granted.
AdventureDrama
Director:
William Wyler
Release Date:
Wed Nov 18 1959
Star Cast:
Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd
Budget:
$15,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$74,437,720
"Ben-Hur" is a grand cinematic spectacle adapted from Lew Wallace's novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ. This legendary film captivated audiences worldwide and achieved immense box office success.
The movie set a record by winning eleven Academy Awards, sweeping all major categories at the Oscars and further cementing its place in Hollywood history.
The story follows Judah Ben-Hur, a noble Jewish prince in Jerusalem who lives with deep faith and no desire for political power. His life changes when his close childhood friend Messala, now a Roman general, pressures him to support Rome's rule.
After Ben-Hur refuses, Messala betrays him by sentencing him to slavery and banishing his family. The film then traces Ben-Hur's harrowing journey and how his unwavering faith leads him to overcome adversity.
Inspired by encounters with Jesus, Ben-Hur ultimately finds redemption and is able to reclaim the life he lost.
DramaWestern
Director:
Quentin Tarantino
Release Date:
Tue Dec 25 2012
Star Cast:
Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio
Budget:
$100,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$426,074,373
"Django Unchained" is a gripping spaghetti western film written and directed by Quentin Tarantino. While not set during the American Civil War, it powerfully explores the realities of slave culture in the Antebellum South through its daring narrative and vibrant style.
The film has received critical acclaim, earning numerous nominations and awards at the Oscars, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes. It follows Django and his wife, who are enslaved and transported in chains until a bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz, offers to purchase Django for his unique insight into a wanted outlaw.
After teaming up with Schultz and learning the art of bounty hunting, Django sets out to find and rescue his wife. His search leads him to the brutal estate of plantation owner Calvin Candie, where he must devise a daring plan to save her from captivity.
ActionDramaSci-Fi
Director:
Ridley Scott
Release Date:
Fri Jun 25 1982
Star Cast:
Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young
Budget:
$28,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$41,712,525
Blade Runner is a visionary science fiction film set in a dystopian future, where humans have created androids known as replicants to serve as slaves performing hazardous and menial labor.
Inspired by Philip K. Dick's novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?", the story follows four highly advanced replicants who illegally return to Earth in search of their creator and purpose.
These intelligent replicants—Roy Batty, Pris, Zhora, and Leon—were engineered to help build colonies on Mars and aid in space exploration. Their journey explores their longing to experience life and humanity beyond their programmed existence.
BiographyDramaHistory
Director:
Edward Zwick
Release Date:
Fri Feb 16 1990
Star Cast:
Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington, Cary Elwes
Budget:
$18,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$26,979,166
"Glory" is a powerful historical war film, inspired by the books Lay This Laurel by Lincoln Kirstein and One Gallant Rush by Peter Burchard, as well as the personal letters of Colonel Robert Gould Shaw written during the American Civil War.
This acclaimed film tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the first all-black regiment to fight for the Union Army. Under the leadership of Colonel Shaw, the regiment played a crucial role in the harrowing Second Battle of Fort Wagner.
"Glory" received significant critical recognition, earning five Academy Award nominations and winning three. The film stands as a moving tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers who shaped a pivotal moment in American history.
BiographyDramaHistory
Director:
Steven Spielberg
Release Date:
Fri Nov 16 2012
Star Cast:
Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn
Budget:
$65,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$275,293,450
"Lincoln" is a powerful film by Steven Spielberg that explores the pivotal role Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, played during a defining moment in American history.
The movie draws its inspiration from Doris Kearns Goodwin’s renowned biography, "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln," published in 2005. This foundation brings depth and authenticity to the narrative.
Through "Lincoln," we witness the president’s relentless effort to unite abolitionists and push forward the 13th Amendment, which would abolish slavery in the country.
The film also delves into Lincoln’s struggles as he battles opposition from Confederate legislators, highlighting how deeply he is impacted by their resistance and the immense stakes of his campaign to end slavery.
AdventureSci-Fi
Director:
Franklin J. Schaffner
Release Date:
Wed Apr 3 1968
Star Cast:
Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter
Budget:
$5,800,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$32,599,488
"Planet of the Apes" is a landmark science fiction film that inspired a hugely successful franchise and was later reimagined by Tim Burton in 2001.
Adapted from the French novel "La Planète des Singes" by Pierre Boulle, the original 1968 movie captured audiences with its thought-provoking themes and storytelling.
The film achieved widespread acclaim and was ultimately added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, recognizing its cultural importance.
"Planet of the Apes" opens with a crew of astronauts crash-landing on an unfamiliar planet that resembles Earth. As they explore, they discover a society where mute humans are enslaved and oppressed, while intelligent apes rule as the dominant species, turning the social order upside down.
DramaFamily
Director:
Martin Ritt
Release Date:
Thu Apr 26 1973
Star Cast:
Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield, Kevin Hooks
"Sounder" is a powerful drama adapted from the acclaimed novel by William H. Armstrong. The film received critical acclaim, earning four Academy Award nominations in prestigious categories, and has become noted for its emotional impact and remarkable storytelling.
In addition to its critical success, "Sounder" was a box office hit. The narrative centers on the Morgan family, sharecroppers struggling to survive during the Great Depression in Louisiana's Deep South, where they labor on a sugarcane farm.
The family's strength is tested when the father is imprisoned for stealing food. Their young son is then compelled to leave school and help work the land, highlighting their resilience and the challenges faced during this era.
AnimationSci-Fi
Director:
René Laloux
Release Date:
Sat Dec 1 1973
Star Cast:
Barry Bostwick, Jennifer Drake, Eric Baugin
Fantastic Planet is a groundbreaking adult animated film resulting from a French-Czech collaboration. Directed by René Laloux and inspired by a story co-written with Roland Topor, the film stands out for its experimental animation style and thought-provoking narrative.
This acclaimed movie received the Grand Prix special jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival, highlighting its powerful impact. The story unfolds on a distant planet dominated by the towering Draags, a race of intelligent humanoids who exercise absolute control over the land.
Within this strange world, humans are enslaved, subjected to cruelty, and kept under harsh population controls, including periodic mass killings. Faced with relentless oppression and bullying, the humans ultimately band together and rise up in rebellion against their alien overlords.
ActionAdventureDrama
Director:
Ridley Scott
Release Date:
Fri May 5 2000
Star Cast:
Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen
Budget:
$103,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$503,162,313
"Gladiator," directed by Ridley Scott, is a sweeping historical epic that immerses viewers in the brutal world of the Roman Empire, offering a vivid portrayal of the lives of slaves during this era.
The film achieved immense commercial success as the second highest-grossing movie of 2000 and earned five Academy Awards, among numerous other honors. It follows the story of a respected Roman general whose loyalty is betrayed by the emperor's jealous son following a devastating personal tragedy.
Forced into slavery, the general must rebuild his life from nothing. As he rises through the ranks to become a renowned gladiator, he sets out on a quest for vengeance against Emperor Commodus.
BiographyDramaRomance
Director:
Amma Asante
Release Date:
Fri Jun 13 2014
Star Cast:
Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Matthew Goode, Emily Watson
Budget:
$10,900,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$16,607,575
"Belle" (2013) is a historical drama inspired by the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle, depicted in the famous painting alongside her cousin, Lady Elizabeth Murray, at Kenwood House.
This artwork marked a significant moment as it was the first time a person of color was portrayed on equal footing with a woman of fair skin in British portraiture.
Dido Elizabeth Belle was the biracial daughter of naval officer Sir John Lindsay. Following her mother’s death, Lindsay entrusted her care to his uncle, William Murray, the 1st Earl of Mansfield and then Lord Chief Justice of England.
Despite societal norms, Lord Mansfield raised Belle as an equal to her cousin, challenging contemporary attitudes about race and class. During this period, he was also responsible for a landmark legal judgment concerning the Zong Massacre, a notorious case involving the killing of enslaved Africans aboard a British ship for insurance compensation.
BiographyDramaRomance
Director:
Mervyn LeRoy, Anthony Mann
Release Date:
Tue Dec 25 1951
Star Cast:
Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr, Leo Genn
Budget:
$7,623,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$101,486
Quo Vadis is a sweeping historical epic based on the acclaimed 1896 novel by Henryk Sienkiewicz. The title, a Latin phrase meaning "Where are you going?", hints at the film’s powerful themes of faith, destiny, and transformation.
Renowned for its stunning visuals and grand storytelling, the movie garnered critical praise and earned eight Academy Award nominations.
Set during the tumultuous reign of Roman Emperor Nero, Quo Vadis explores the events that led to the decline of the Roman Empire.
Nero’s brutal persecution of Christians forms the backdrop, as he infamously enslaved and oppressed those of the burgeoning faith in a bid to suppress its spread throughout the empire.
BiographyDramaHistory
Director:
Steven Spielberg
Release Date:
Thu Dec 25 1997
Star Cast:
Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, Anthony Hopkins
Budget:
$36,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$44,229,441
Amistad is a powerful historical drama that recounts the true story of a slave mutiny aboard the Spanish ship La Amistad. The film is inspired by Professor Howard Jones' book, "Mutiny on the Amistad: The Saga of a Slave Revolt and Its Impact on American Abolition, Law, and Diplomacy."
The Amistad was transporting a group of Mende tribesmen who, in a courageous act of defiance, managed to seize control of the ship from their captors.
Their fight for freedom led to a lengthy and intense legal battle in the United States, culminating in a landmark decision by the US Supreme Court.
BiographyDramaHistory
Director:
Michael Apted
Release Date:
Fri Feb 23 2007
Star Cast:
Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon
Box Office (Worldwide):
$32,120,360
"Amazing Grace" tells the powerful true story of the movement that led to the abolition of slavery and the slave trade in Great Britain.
The film focuses on William Wilberforce, whose tireless efforts in the British Parliament were central to driving anti-slave trade legislation.
Inspired by the harrowing stories of John Newton, a former slave ship crew member, Wilberforce becomes committed to ending the cruel practice.
Despite facing fierce opposition, Wilberforce dedicates over 20 years to the cause, nearly giving up at times. Through enduring perseverance and the support of like-minded legislators and lawyers, his campaign ultimately leads to the passing of the abolition bill.
ActionBiographyDrama
Director:
Kasi Lemmons
Release Date:
Fri Nov 1 2019
Star Cast:
Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monáe, Leslie Odom Jr.
Budget:
$17,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$43,347,017
"Harriet" (2019) tells the powerful true story of Harriet Tubman, chronicling her extraordinary life and groundbreaking achievements in the fight against slavery. The film spent years in development, attracting significant interest from several renowned actresses eager to portray the iconic role.
Upon release, "Harriet" earned widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences. Its impact was recognized by nominations for prestigious awards, including the Academy Awards, Black Reel Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and even the Grammy Awards.
The story opens with Minty Ross—Tubman's birth name—the daughter of a freed father and an enslaved mother. When Minty's mother's owner breaks a previous promise of freedom, Minty faces the threat of being sold and separated from her family.
Determined to escape this fate, Minty flees the plantation and makes a daring journey to Pennsylvania. There, she encounters a group of abolitionists who support her quest and bestow her new name: Harriet, in honor of her mother, and Tubman, after her husband.
Harriet's courage does not end with her own escape. She joins the abolitionist cause, risking her life as a conductor on the Underground Railroad and later serving as a Union spy. Through her heroic efforts, she secures freedom for more than 750 enslaved people.
AdventureDrama
Director:
Werner Herzog
Release Date:
Thu Dec 3 1987
Star Cast:
Klaus Kinski, King Ampaw, José Lewgoy
Budget:
DEM 800,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$12,702
Cobra Verde is a German film based on the novel titled The Viceroy of Ouidah, written by Bruce Chatwin.
The film was directed by Werner Herzog and stars Klaus Kinski in their last collaboration. The film tells us about a fictional slave trader during the 1800s.
He was a bandit by the name Cobra Verde, but the Brazillian count paroled him and employed him as his personal slave trader to travel to the West African Coast and smuggle slaves for his plantation.
BiographyDramaHistory
Director:
Nate Parker
Release Date:
Fri Oct 7 2016
Star Cast:
Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Penelope Ann Miller
Budget:
$8,500,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$16,779,212
The Birth of a Nation is an American film that depicted the life of Nat Turner, an illiterate slave who preached the Bible and roused the slave rebellion.
The film was co-written, directed, and co-produced by Nate Parker, who was accused of rape, and this generated a lot of negative publicity.
The story of Nat Turner is that of an uneducated slave who becomes a preacher for his fellow slaves.
With his sermons and his encouragement, the other slaves get emboldened and plan a rebellion. All attempts to suppress him by his slave owners are unsuccessful.
ActionDramaHistory
Director:
Roland Emmerich
Release Date:
Wed Jun 28 2000
Star Cast:
Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson
Budget:
$110,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$215,294,342
The Patriot is a historical fiction drama that was written by Robert Rodat. It was made by Roland Emmerich with a star cast made up of Mel Gibson, Chris Cooper, Heath Ledger, Jason Isaacs, etc.
The film has been criticized for the unnecessary use of violence perpetrated against colonists. The film has very little truth in relation to the Revolutionary War.
The patriot tells about the family of Benjamin Martin, who is a colonist and is against a war with Great Britain.
In the American War of Independence, he, along with other plantation owners, decided to join the war after seeing the cruelty of the British army.
DramaHistoryHorror
Director:
Jonathan Demme
Release Date:
Fri Oct 16 1998
Star Cast:
Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, Yada Beener
Budget:
$80,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$22,852,487
Beloved is a psychological horror film set in the period after the American Civil War. The film is based on a novel by Toni Morrison of the same name.
The film was a box office failure, yet it garnered critical acclaim for the acting performance, especially of Danny Glover and Kimberly Elise.
A newly liberated slave, Sethe, arrives in a home along the outskirts of the town. However, the house is haunted, and the poltergeist starts traumatizing Sethe and her daughter.
An old friend from her plantation comes to help, but he too is turned away after learning the true story of Sethe and her struggles as a slave.
ActionBiographyDrama
Director:
Angelina Jolie
Release Date:
Thu Dec 25 2014
Star Cast:
Jack O'Connell, Miyavi, Domhnall Gleeson
Budget:
$65,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$161,459,297
Unbroken is a film about the triumph of the human spirit over a situation. The film is not a slave movie, but it is a movie about the Japanese prisoner of war camp and the sub-human conditions meted out to the Americans at the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army.
The film was directed by Angelina Jolie and the story was written by the Coen brothers. It is based on the biography, Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand.
Unbroken was nominated for three Academy Awards among several more nominations.
ActionAdventureFantasy
Director:
John Milius
Release Date:
Fri May 14 1982
Star Cast:
Arnold Schwarzenegger, James Earl Jones, Max von Sydow
Budget:
$20,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$68,851,475
Conan the Barbarian is a sword and sorcery film set in an imaginary world of Cimmerians. The film is based on the works of Robert E. Howard’s pulp magazine, titled Conan. Oliver Stone used the characters of this fictional world to make a successful film series of Conan.
When Conan was a child, his father, a blacksmith, forges a sword for him. Later, the raiders of the evil Thulsa Doom invade the land of Cimmerians and kill his parents.
Conan is sold into slavery and made to work at a large mill on the wheel of pain. Conan uses this pain to become stronger and revolt against his slave masters and escape. Now, he seeks revenge from Thulsa Doom.
ActionBiographyDrama
Director:
Gary Ross
Release Date:
Fri Jun 24 2016
Star Cast:
Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali
Budget:
$50,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$25,035,950
Free State of Jones is a true story about the time of the American Civil War. The film was written and directed by Gary Ross and depicts the events in the life of Newton Knight and Jones County, Mississippi.
The film received mixed reviews and failed at the box office. Newton Knight is a Confederate soldier who becomes disillusioned with the ideology of the Confederate leader.
He deserts and returns to Jones County to start a militia of deserters. He overthrows the local Confederate government and sets up a Free State.
DramaRomance
Director:
Rob Marshall
Release Date:
Fri Dec 23 2005
Star Cast:
Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh
Budget:
$85,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$162,242,962
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) is a captivating cinematic masterpiece that delves into the alluring and intricate world of geishas, set against the backdrop of pre-World War II Japan.
The film follows the extraordinary journey of Chiyo Sakamoto, a young girl from an impoverished fishing village, who is sold to an okiya, a geisha house, at the tender age of nine. Through rigorous training and unwavering determination, Chiyo transforms into Sayuri.
She is a renowned geisha who captivates the hearts of men with her grace, elegance, and artistic talents. However, beneath the surface of her dazzling success lies a deep longing for love and freedom, a yearning that is constantly tested by the demands of her profession and the societal pressures of her time.
Memoirs of a Geisha serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and struggles that lie behind the exquisite façade of geisha culture, offering a glimpse into a world of beauty, tradition, and complex unspoken emotions.
DramaFamilyRomance
Director:
William Wyler
Release Date:
Sun Nov 25 1956
Star Cast:
Gary Cooper, Dorothy McGuire, Anthony Perkins
Budget:
$3,000,000 (estimated)
Friendly Persuasion is a story about the American Civil War from the eyes of a pacifist family. The story for the film is based on the 1945 novel of the same name by Jessamyn West.
It was adapted into a screenplay and directed by William Wyler. The Birdwell family is a Quaker family who does not believe in violence of any kind.
They believe that there is a light in every man’s soul that needs to be recognized and appreciated. They lead an idyllic life working on their farm till the Union soldier comes to remind them that the confederates will loot and plunder their home if they do not pick up weapons and fight.
Each member of the family reacts differently to the threat, and their pacifist beliefs are tested during the war.
ActionThriller
Director:
Antoine Fuqua
Release Date:
Fri Dec 9 2022
Star Cast:
Will Smith, Ben Foster, Charmaine Bingwa
Budget:
$120,000,000 (estimated)
"Emancipation" is a historical drama film directed by Antoine Fuqua and released in 2022.
Set during the American Civil War, the film follows the true story of a runaway slave named Peter, portrayed by Will Smith.
Peter's escape from a Louisiana plantation is captured in a photograph that becomes a symbol of the brutal realities of slavery. As the image circulates,
Peter becomes a target of relentless pursuit by plantation owners and bounty hunters. The movie explores Peter's harrowing journey to freedom and his fight to survive in a hostile environment.
Will Smith delivers a powerful performance, showcasing the emotional and physical struggles of his character.
"Emancipation" received critical acclaim for its intense storytelling, compelling performances, and its examination of the dark chapters in American history.
DocumentaryHistory
Director:
Pritchett Cotten
Release Date:
Fri Jan 13 2012
Star Cast:
C.L. Bryant, Christian Adams, Lem Anderson Jr.
Budget:
$100,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$71,737
"Runaway Slave" is a documentary film released in 2012, directed by Pritchett Cotten. The film follows the journey of conservative activist Rev. C.L. Bryant as he delves into the history and present-day realities of African Americans in the United States.
Rev. Bryant examines the impact of entitlement programs and government policies on the African American community, aiming to challenge the prevailing narrative of victimhood and dependency.
Through interviews with various individuals, including civil rights leaders, politicians, and everyday citizens, the film explores topics such as the role of government, personal responsibility, and the importance of economic freedom.
"Runaway Slave" features passionate performances by its cast, including Rev. C.L. Bryant himself, as they share personal stories and engage in thought-provoking discussions.
The film presents a thought-provoking perspective on race and politics, sparking conversations about individual empowerment and self-reliance.
ActionAdventureDrama
Director:
Kevin Macdonald
Release Date:
Fri Feb 11 2011
Star Cast:
Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland
Budget:
$25,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$37,989,684
The Eagle is a British-American film adapted from Rosemary Sutcliffe’s adventure novel, The Eagle of the Ninth. There is no proof of historical accuracy in the story.
However, it is based on the quest of a Roman centurion during the Roman occupation of Britain. The Eagle standard of the Ninth Legion fell into the hands of the barbaric Northern tribes during their ill-fated mission.
This has been a point of dishonor for the family of Marcus Flavius Aquila. So he sets out to reclaim his family's honor and the missing Eagle standard.
Marcus’ slave Esca is very helpful and instrumental in his mission.
DramaHistoryWar
Director:
Ron Maxwell
Release Date:
Fri Oct 8 1993
Star Cast:
Tom Berenger, Martin Sheen, Stephen Lang
Budget:
$25,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$10,769,960
Gettysburg is a war film based on the events that took place during the Battle of Gettysburg in the Civil War.
The film follows the novel Killer Angels by Michael Shaara and has an ensemble cast of great performers. The film received positive reviews and was telecast as a miniseries on TNT.
Gettysburg is the location of a decisive battle between the Union army and the Confederate army, with many famous and renowned generals on both sides participating.
The Union Army won the battle and turned the tide of the American Civil War.
AdventureDramaRomance
Director:
John Ford
Star Cast:
John Wayne, William Holden, Constance Towers
The Horse Soldiers is a film about the conquest of the Union cavalry brigade during the American Civil War.
It is an adventure war film that mixes real events with fictionalized accounts to tell the events of the Grierson Raid in Mississippi and the novel by Harold Sinclair.
A Union Cavalry Brigade is sent to destroy the railway lines and supply station of the confederate army. Along the way, the unit commander faces trouble with a soft-hearted medical officer and a soldier who second guesses all his orders.
They are also forced to pick up a plantation mistress and her slave, who eavesdrop on their conversation.
ActionAdventureDrama
Director:
Ridley Scott
Release Date:
Fri Dec 12 2014
Star Cast:
Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Ben Kingsley
Budget:
$140,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$268,175,631
Exodus: Gods and Kings is an epic biblical film that was made by Ridley Scott. It is about the tale of the great exodus of Jews from Egypt to Mount Sinai.
The film has a strong ensemble cast that performed with critical and commercial success. The film starts with the birth of Moses and his childhood alongside Ramses.
He later realizes his purpose in life, devotes himself to his Jewish faith, and delivers all the Jews from Egypt to Mt. Sinai, where he receives the Ten Commandments from god.
BiographyDramaThriller
Director:
Gabriel Range
Release Date:
Mon Jan 10 2011
Star Cast:
Wunmi Mosaku, Isaach De Bankolé, Lubna Azabal
I Am Slave is a television film about slavery in modern society, more shockingly in Britain. The film is the true story of Mende Nazer, who was brought into London as a slave to serve in the home of a family.
I Am Slave throws light on a situation that is widely prevalent, with close to 5000 slaves working in Britain today.
The story begins in a village in Sudan when young girls are kidnapped by Arab militia and sold into slavery in Khartoum.
Here they are treated as animals, and beaten and harshly punished for the slightest mistake. Slaves trained like this are sold elsewhere with their passports seized, and identities changed to discourage escape.
ActionFantasyThriller
Director:
Patrick Tatopoulos
Release Date:
Fri Jan 23 2009
Star Cast:
Rhona Mitra, Michael Sheen, Bill Nighy
Budget:
$35,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$92,158,961
Underworld: The Rise of the Lycans is a fantasy action-horror film that talks about the beginning of the feud between Vampires and Lycans.
It is the third installment in the Underworld film franchise and is directed by Patrick Tatopoulos. Vampires lived as the lords of darkness and subjugated the Lycan race to slave status.
They are treated as animals who protect the Vampires during the day but have no power or rights. Lucian, the most powerful Lycan, falls in love with Sonja, the daughter of Vampire Lord Victor.
Infuriated by this, Victor forces them apart and kills Sonja. This pushes Lucian to begin a blood feud that carries on for centuries.
AdventureComedyDrama
Director:
Stephen Sommers
Release Date:
Fri Apr 2 1993
Star Cast:
Elijah Wood, Courtney B. Vance, Robbie Coltrane
Budget:
$6,500,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$24,103,594
The Adventures of Huck Finn is a Disney adventure film based on the highly acclaimed novel of the same name by Mark Twain.
The film covers only three-quarters of the novel, and the story has been adapted into movies and Tv series multiple times.
Yet the film got good reviews. The film starts with Huckleberry Finn, a young child who is sent to foster care to save him from his drunkard father.
Despite the love shown by his foster parents, Huck Finn yearns for adventure and thus runs away from home.
Along the way, he meets a runaway slave Jim. Together, they travel along the Mississippi River and encounter all the challenges.
ActionFantasyHorror
Director:
Timur Bekmambetov
Release Date:
Fri Jun 22 2012
Star Cast:
Benjamin Walker, Rufus Sewell, Dominic Cooper
Budget:
$69,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$116,471,580
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is a supernatural action film that fictionalized the American civil war and the life of the 16th American president.
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Seth Grahame-Smith. The film gives a fictional account of Abe Lincoln as a secret Vampire Hunter.
He uncovers a plot by the 5000-year vampire who uses the slave trade to maintain a steady supply of food and plantation workers.
The plot is to take over America and make it a Vampire nation with slaves providing constant food and labor.
CrimeDramaHistory
Director:
James Franco
Release Date:
Fri Feb 17 2017
Star Cast:
Nat Wolff, James Franco, Vincent D'Onofrio
Budget:
$15,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$213,982
In Dubious Battle is a film that was based on the John Steinbeck novel of the same name. The film was directed by James Franco and received mixed reviews, with critics accepting that the movie was watchable and the movie has a subtle message that makes us think.
The film is set in the 1930s during the Great Depression. The film is not particularly about slavery. However, it showcases the living conditions that come close to living like a slave.
The laborer’s pay was reduced from $3 per day to just $1 per day, and they decided to go on a strike, but to what end is the question.
DramaHorrorMystery
Director:
Gerard Bush, Christopher Renz
Release Date:
Fri Sep 18 2020
Star Cast:
Janelle Monáe, Eric Lange, Jena Malone
Box Office (Worldwide):
$7,792,716
Antebellum (2020) is an American thriller film that follows the story of Veronica Henley, a successful African-American author who finds herself trapped in a horrifying reality that forces her to confront the past, present, and future.
Veronica's modern-day life takes a dark turn when she wakes up on a Southern slave plantation, forced to endure the brutality of the antebellum era. As she desperately tries to escape and uncover the truth behind her predicament, she realizes that her experiences are intertwined with a deadly conspiracy that threatens to expose a shocking connection between the past and the present.
The film explores themes of racial injustice, historical trauma, and the enduring legacy of slavery, weaving a suspenseful narrative that challenges viewers to confront the complexities of American history.
ActionAdventureDrama
Director:
Paul W.S. Anderson
Release Date:
Fri Feb 21 2014
Star Cast:
Kit Harington, Emily Browning, Kiefer Sutherland
Budget:
$100,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$117,831,631
Pompeii is another movie that explores the world of slaves during the Roman empire. The film Pompeii is a disaster film that focuses on the romance between an English slave gladiator from England who falls in love with the daughter of a senator.
The romance blossoms in the doomed city of Pompeii, and they are caught in the middle of the most violent volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and the ensuing tsunami that obliterates all chances of escape.
ActionDramaFantasy
Director:
Carl Rinsch
Release Date:
Wed Dec 25 2013
Star Cast:
Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Kô Shibasaki
Budget:
$175,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$151,783,839
47 Ronin is a Japanese- American fantasy adventure movie based on a very famous tale of the forty ronin who avenge the assassination of their daimyo.
The film was made by a debutant director Carl Rinsch and borrows heavily from the Japanese mythology of kitsune.
In medieval Japan, a mixed heritage child, Kai is sheltered by a kind daimyo, Lord Asano. Despite the ostracization of his samurai and the society, Lord Asano gave him a home.
When a rival daimyo, Lord Kira poisons the mind of their Shogun and assassinates Lord Asano, he also sells Kai into slavery and declares his 47 samurais as ronin (masterless fighters).
ActionCrimeThriller
Director:
Godfrey Ho
Release Date:
Fri Mar 5 1993
Star Cast:
Cynthia Rothrock, Don Niam, John Miller
Queen, also known as Alex Haley’s Queen, is a biographical tale of a biracial woman in Early American society.
The film was telecast as a miniseries over three episodes, and it is based on the novel Queen: The Story of an American Family by Alex Haley and David Stevens.
Queen is the biracial daughter of Col. James Jackson and his slave Easter. She was born on the Jackson Plantation, and after the civil war, she became a free woman.
However, due to her biracial status, she was neither accepted by her father’s family nor the African American community.
DramaRomanceWar
Director:
Edward Dmytryk
Release Date:
Fri Dec 20 1957
Star Cast:
Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, Eva Marie Saint
Budget:
$5,000,000 (estimated)
Raintree County is a tale of love, insanity, and ideals set against the backdrop of the American Civil War.
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Ross Lockridge Jr. The film is set in the American South during the Antebellum period and displays the rise of the abolitionist mindset of the youth.
John Shawnessey is an idealistic school teacher who believes in the abolition of slavery, and his ideas are supported by his childhood sweetheart, whom he hopes to marry.
Yet after meeting a southern beauty, Susanna Drake, he has a passionate affair with her and is eventually tricked into marrying her.
After a bout of madness and a stint in the American civil war, both husband and wife recognize their true feelings and follow them through.
ActionAdventureFantasy
Director:
Renny Harlin
Release Date:
Fri Jan 10 2014
Star Cast:
Kellan Lutz, Gaia Weiss, Scott Adkins
Budget:
$70,000,000 (estimated)
Box Office (Worldwide):
$61,279,452
The Legend of Hercules is a story about the demigod before he gains fame. It is a Greek mythological story made by Renny Harlin.
The film was released the same year as another movie about Hercules. As a result, the other movie overshadowed this version.
Queen Alcmene gives birth to Hercules, the son of Zeus, who will be the savior of the people. King Amphitryon and the elder brother Iphicles plot against Hercules and send him away on a mission to Egypt.
There, he is sold into slavery and bids his time till he has to return to Crete to avenge his mother.
DramaHistory
Director:
Harry A. Pollard
Release Date:
Sun Sep 2 1928
Star Cast:
Margarita Fischer, James B. Lowe, Arthur Edmund Carewe
Budget:
$1,500,000 (estimated)
Uncle Tom’s Cabin is a TV movie that was based on a book of the same name. It was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
The film received praise and acclaim when it was telecast on television. The film is about the life of an aging black slave by the name of Tom.
It was a look into the everyday living conditions of a slave during the 1800s. The novel, when it was released, had a profound impact on the perception of slavery and the African American community.