Best Movies About Slavery

From Quentin Tarantino, starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington
Rated R

Django Unchained is a 2012 American revisionist Western movie directed by Quentin Tarantino and starring Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kerry Washington, and Samuel L. Jackson. The story is set in the Old West and Antebellum South and follows a freed slave, Django (Foxx), who teams up with a German bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz (Waltz), to free his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner (DiCaprio). With the help of a small band of allies and a clever disguise, Django and Schultz make their way through the violent world of the Old South to find and save Django's wife. Along the way, they become embroiled in a web of deceit and betrayal as they are forced to confront the harsh realities of American slavery. The movie was highly praised for its epic scope, bold storytelling, and thematic complexity, and was a major box office success.

From Directors: Victor Fleming, George Cukor, Sam Wood, starring Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Thomas Mitchell, Barbara O'Neil
Rated Passed

Gone with the Wind is an American epic historical romance film adapted from Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel of the same name. Set in the American South during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era, the film tells the story of Scarlett O'Hara, the strong-willed daughter of a Georgia plantation owner. Scarlett is forced to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world as she struggles to sustain the family estate, Tara, and protect those she loves. The film follows Scarlett's life through the war and its aftermath, as she falls in and out of love with Rhett Butler and strives to support her family through the harsh realities of a divided country. Along the way, she experiences the joys and sorrows of life, as well as the devastation of war. The film stars Clark Gable as Rhett Butler, Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara, and Leslie Howard and Olivia de Havilland in supporting roles. The film was directed by Victor Fleming, George Cukor, and Sam Wood, and was the highest-grossing film of all time at the time of its release.

From Ava DuVernay, starring Melina Abdullah, Michelle Alexander, Cory Booker, Dolores Canales
Rated TV-MA

13th is a 2016 documentary by director Ava DuVernay that examines the history of racial inequality in the United States, particularly focusing on the disproportionate incarceration rates of African-Americans. The film traces the history of the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution, which abolished slavery in 1865, and argues that the amendment was a catalyzing factor for creating a criminal justice system that disproportionately affects African-Americans. The documentary features interviews with politicians, activists, historians, and formerly incarcerated individuals, as well as archival footage and statistics to demonstrate its arguments. 13th is an eye-opening look at America's history of racial injustice and its lasting effects on today's society.

From Steve McQueen, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt
Rated R

12 Years a Slave is a biographical drama film based on the autobiographical book of the same name by Solomon Northup. The film tells the story of Solomon Northup, a free African-American man who was kidnapped in Washington, D.C., and sold into slavery in the antebellum South. Northup spends 12 years in slavery, enduring physical and psychological abuse, until he is eventually freed. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Northup, and is directed by Steve McQueen. It was released to critical acclaim and went on to win three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From John Korty, starring Cicely Tyson, Eric Brown, Richard Dysart, Joel Fluellen
Rated TV-PG

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman is a 1974 American television drama film based on the 1971 novel of the same name by Ernest J. Gaines. It follows the life of a 110-year-old African American woman, Jane Pittman, from the Civil War to the civil rights movement in the 1960s. It stars Cicely Tyson as Jane, who recounts her story to a journalist (played by Eric Fried). The film follows Jane's journey from her childhood as a slave, to her later life as a freedwoman in the Reconstruction South, and finally to her involvement in the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Throughout the film, Jane's life is filled with experiences of violence, prejudice, and injustice. Despite this, she remains a resilient, optimistic and determined woman, inspiring those around her to fight for their rights. She becomes a symbol of strength and hope for her community, and an important part of the African American struggle for civil rights.

From René Laloux, starring Barry Bostwick, Jennifer Drake, Eric Baugin, Jean Topart
Rated PG

"Fantastic Planet" (1973) is a French animated science fiction film directed by René Laloux. The film follows the story of a human-like species living on the mysterious planet Ygam, which is ruled by a race of giant blue humanoid aliens called the Draags. The Draags treat humans as animals, keeping them as pets and using them for manual labor. A human named Terr, who has been raised by a Draag family, manages to escape into the wilds of Ygam and finds other humans living in hiding. With help from a friendly, wise Draag, Terr leads a rebellion against the Draag oppressors and eventually, the Draags and humans reach an understanding, leading to peace and co-existence.

From D.W. Griffith, starring Lillian Gish, Robert Harron, Mae Marsh, F.A. Turner
Rated Passed

Intolerance is a 1916 American silent epic drama film directed by D.W. Griffith. The film is renowned for its huge set pieces and intricate production design, as well as its complex, interwoven stories set in different time periods. The film follows the struggles of three couples, each representing a different time in history, and their struggles with intolerance. In ancient Babylon, the prince and princess are persecuted by the High Priest of Bel, while in Judea during the time of Jesus, a young bride and groom are threatened by a local mob. Lastly, in 20th century America, a young couple is divided by the intolerance of their families. The film is an exploration of the destructive effects of intolerance on individuals, cultures, and nations.

From Sam Raimi, starring Bruce Campbell, Embeth Davidtz, Marcus Gilbert, Ian Abercrombie
Rated R

From Michael Apted, starring Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Romola Garai
Rated PG

From Steven Spielberg, starring Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman
Rated R

From Amma Asante, starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Matthew Goode, Emily Watson, Miranda Richardson
Rated PG

From Directors: Paul Bogart, Gordon Douglas, starring James Garner, Louis Gossett Jr., Susan Clark, Brenda Sykes
Rated PG

From Gary Ross, starring Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali, Keri Russell
Rated R

From Werner Herzog, starring Klaus Kinski, King Ampaw, José Lewgoy, Salvatore Basile
Rated Not Rated

From John Sayles, starring Joe Morton, Daryl Edwards, Rosanna Carter, Ray Ramirez
Rated R

From Nate Parker, starring Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Penelope Ann Miller, Jackie Earle Haley
Rated R

From Kevin Willmott, starring Greg Kirsch, Renee Patrick, Molly Graham, William Willmott
Rated PG-13

From Peter Cousens, starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Sharon Leal, David Rasche, Kimberly Nichole
Rated R

From Jonathan Demme, starring Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, Yada Beener, Emil Pinnock
Rated R

From Salvador Litvak, starring Tom Amandes, Lea Coco, Penelope Ann Miller, Bruce Davison
Rated Not Rated

From Bill Condon, starring Tony Todd, Kelly Rowan, Caroline Barclay, Michael Bergeron
Rated R

From David Zucker, starring Kevin P. Farley, Kelsey Grammer, Leslie Nielsen, Trace Adkins
Rated PG-13