Category Archives: Slavery

Action Film, Adventure, Catholic culture, Coarse manners, Conspiracy, DO NOT MISS, Docudrama, Father-son relations, Greed, Human spirit, Marital Infidelity, Netflix Streaming, Nudity, Occasional gore, Psychological Drama, Rape, Religious Theme, Revenge, Sex Scenes, Slavery, Suspense, Torture, Vikings, Violent, Wonderful acting

Vikings (2013)

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2014-2015 REVISION:

November 2015: Netflix offers season 3 but only on DVD, no streaming.

The release date for season 4 is not yet settled. Season 3 was at least as good as the previous two seasons with some very clever surprises at the very end of season 3 which makes the audience ever more eager to see season 4.

For more information about the Viking raid on Paris in 845 see the Wikipedia article. On that occasion the French king was Charles the Bald, one of Charlemagne’s grandsons. By the Treaty of Verdun in 843, Charles became king of what was for the most part modern day France.

Now from Amazon Prime you can stream both season 1 and season 2. Season 2 is at least as good as Season 1. Wonderful but violent!

FORMER REVIEW:

Netflix offers Season 1 on DVD. However, I streamed from Amazon for free because we bought Amazon Prime. Jan 2015 – Now you can stream Season 2 from Amazon. Somehow the story just gets better and better. DO NOT MISS all the VIOLENCE!

From Netflix:

Set in medieval Scandinavia, this gritty drama charts the adventures of renowned Viking hero Ragnar Lothbrok as he extends the Norse reach by challenging the rule of an unfit leader who lacks vision.

Merely appreciating the finesse and details that went into making this remarkable TV series just gives me chills.

His ambiguous smile is mostly that of the fox waiting for its opportunity. Eventually you come to accept and even identify that constant smile with the character Ragnar Lothbrok played to dazzling perfection by the Australian-born Travis Fimmel.

Gabriel Byrne as Earl Haraldson is the only actor I recognized. You may remember him as Dr. Paul Weston in the TV series “In Treatment”. Here he is a brooding, vicious bully.

In order to enter Valhalla a Viking must die in battle. Similar to the ancient Greek culture, violence and personal bravery are everything. Whatever riches a Viking can bury will be his in the next life. Hence the need for plunder. In other words, by its nature this film had to be very VIOLENT!

Perhaps some history will set the scene. Roughly speaking as Rome abandoned England in the 400s, she invited in German mercenaries among which were the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes. They liked what they saw and oppressed the original inhabitants, the Celts. After centuries their many dialects would eventually congeal into Anglo Saxon. In the 600s Christianity appeared and the Anglo Saxons converted. In the 800s the Danes, i.e. the Vikings, reached England and were trouble for the Anglo Saxons until that famous year 1066 in which no sooner had Edward Confessor defeated the Danes then the Normans conquered the Anglo Saxons.

In regard to the previous mini-history, in the scenes in which the Vikings speak to the Anglo Saxons, the Vikings speak old Norse and supposedly the “English” speak Anglo Saxon.

Also in regard to that mini-history, probably the most important theme of the series is religion. Ragnar Lothbrok, in attacking his first monastery, brings back as a slave a young Christian monk Athelstan (thoughtfully played by George Blagden). No episode goes by without some discussion, confrontation, or comparison (call it what you like) between the “pagan” religion and the Christian. Odd how violent, vicious, and untrustworthy the Christians are. There are aspects of the Viking religion that may disturb your sleep.

Fighting is really a small part of the story. Interpersonal relations and conflicts are equally important. There is true character development.

And of course you cannot help to notice how these Viking men wore their hair. Let’s hope the costume department got it historically accurate. Needless to say there are many tattoos.

If you can stand the violence, DO NOT MISS !

2013, Based on true facts, Black History, Could Be Hard To Watch, DO NOT MISS, FilmReview, Human spirit, Mental Illness, Nudity, Rape, Sadism, Sex Scenes, Slavery, Suspense, Torture, True Story, Violent, Wonderful acting

12 Years a Slave (2013)

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From Netflix:

The autobiography of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was abducted from New York state and sold into slavery in the mid-1800s, serves as the basis for this historical drama. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Northup, and Brad Pitt plays an abolitionist.

“12 Years a Slave” is a LONG film (2 hours 15 minutes). At least it certainly seems long due to all the sadistic cruelty portrayed. You will see enough whippings to last you a lifetime. Children should NOT see this torture-fest. If you last through the whole film, be sure to read the final follow-up text.

Just how realistic a portrayal of the slave owners this film is would take a bit of research to determine. You can read an account of Jefferson’s treatment of his slaves.

Many reviews exists of this film. One such review says that Brad Pitt’s role was too good to be true, but since he was one of the producers, he could do as he pleased.

So many fine actors played such diabolical roles, that I was embarrassed for them. Michael Fassbender will probably remain in my mind as a psychotic pervert.

WARNING: This is NOT an easy film to watch. If you can stand the sadism, DO NOT MISS!

Based on true facts, Black History, Drama, Ethical struggles, Father-son relations, Human spirit, Optimistic, Political statement, Race Relations, Slavery, Thought provoking, True Story, Vietnam, Violent, War

Lee Daniel’s The Butler (2013)

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From Netflix;

Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker delivers a powerful performance as Cecil Gaines, who served as the White House butler under eight presidents. His three decades of service unfold against a backdrop of unparalleled change in American history.

By combining the history of the civil rights movement with the life of a particular family, that of the butler Cecil Gaines, you can feel the impact of the events much more personally.

All the black actors, including Oprah Winfrey, do a fine job, while the white presidents were merely acceptable. Special mention to Jim Gleason in his small role as R.D. Warner with his pitch-perfect portrayal of a nasty, arrogant, dismissive and probably racist White House staff manager. Similarly the murderous white Southern plantation son was equally hate inspiring.

More need not be said about a historical drama that really nails it! DO NOT MISS!

2012, Acceptable for children, Based on a Book, Based on true facts, Biographical, Corny, Docudrama, Manic depression, Military, Politicians, Race Relations, Slavery, Steven Spielberg, True Story, War

Lincoln (2012)

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From NetFlix:

Director Steven Spielberg takes on the towering legacy of Abraham Lincoln, focusing on his stewardship of the Union during the Civil War years. The biographical saga also reveals the conflicts within Lincoln’s cabinet regarding the war and abolition.

As soon as the film started I knew this was directed by Steven Spielberg even though I hadn’t realized that before the film started. How could I possibly criticize the work of a great director? However, taking advantage of my American freedom of speech I cannot fail to notice that his films are: long (this one logs in at two hours and thirty minutes), grandiose, possibly long-winded, and wear their hearts on their sleeves (dare I say “corny”?).

Once you get past that first scene in which black union soldiers personally berate Lincoln for the U.S. military discrimination against black soldiers and then walk away reciting by heart Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address (honestly, I am not joking), then you will begin to realize that this film concerns almost exclusively the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment which abolished slavery.

Please read the rather long Wikipedia article which talks about Doris Kearns Goodwin and her wonderful book “Team of Rivals” which was the inspiration for the film. In fact you might want to read “Team of Rivals” which my wife Kathy read twice and still talks about. You might then appreciate more all those scenes of roundtable meetings with Lincoln talking to (arguing with ?, confronting ?) groups of importantly-dressed men. Lincoln cleverly surrounded himself with men who were not only his rivals but were adversaries with their other cabinet members. That is the point of “Team of Rivals”.

Listen to the language these politicians used. Although it may seem flowery, that is how educated people back then actually spoke. Words were important then as opposed to our current twitter-dumb manner of speaking.

At first I squirmed and then settled down to watch 2.5 hours that really zoomed by. As an capsule introduction to Lincoln and his times this film is worth watching.

2012, Cowboy, Gangs, Mayhem, Nudity, Quentin Tarantino, Race Relations, Revenge, Sadism, Satirical ultra-violence, Slavery, Torture, Violent, Western

Django Unchained (2012)

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From NetFlix:

Accompanied by a German bounty hunter, a freed slave named Django travels across America to free his wife from a sadistic plantation owner. Quentin Tarantino directs this modern-day spaghetti Western.

Excuse the horrible pun, but this film is just too black and white. At least you know who the bad guys are (hint: they are white). However, there is at least one bad black guy Samuel L. Jackson (who plays the black-hating black house master). Today in public life we still have blacks who hate blacks (hint: think Supreme Court).

As usual violence is spelled “Quentin Tarantino”. During the entire film Django never misses a shot and each shot produces something like a giant tomato exploding. Additionally the dynamite is lots of fun. By the end not one white man or woman has survived.

Even the satire is not so subtle. There is a somewhat funny scene involving KKK sheets reduced to unsuccessful white hoods. In Candyland the white women are obvious stereotypes.

Just 165 fun minutes of exploding body parts.

2009, Could be boring, Could Be Hard To Watch, Dark, Fantasy, Gloomy, Grim, Quiet, Religious Theme, Revenge, Slavery, Slow, Unusual, Violent

Valhalla Rising (2009)

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From NetFlix;

After years of slavery, Viking warrior One-Eye (Mads Mikkelsen) escapes from his captors and seeks refuge on a Norse ship bound for his homeland. When a storm throws them off course, the crew lands at a mysterious realm inhabited by invisible demons. As the bloodthirsty creatures claim one sailor after another, One-Eye rediscovers his fighting spirit but begins to wonder if they have arrived in Jerusalem or someplace much more sinister.

Slow to the point of glacial, you might want to skip this one. After reading the Wikipedia article you get the impression that this is one of those film critic’s specials, although one critic called the film “unbearably self-important”.

After waiting 93 minutes for the lead character “One-Eye” to speak, he never utters a word. Instead he telepathizes to a young boy (yes, that really is an English word).

For some reason or other there are six parts none of which make a lot of sense:

Part I Wrath
Part II Silent Warrior
Part III Men of God
Part IV The Holy Land
Part V Hell
Part VI The Sacrifice

So did I waste 93 minutes ? If nothing else the film is a quiet, mysterious, SLOW “happening”. In a “happening” you just wait to see what will “happen” next. I am still waiting.

2006, Biographical, DO NOT MISS, Drama, Feel Good Not For Children, Redemption, Religious Theme, Slavery, True Story, Underdogs win

Amazing Grace (2006)

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From NetFlix:

Based on actual events, this historical drama from acclaimed director Michael Apted tells the story of William Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), an 18th-century English politician who fought for the abolition of slavery. Despite staunch opposition, Wilberforce waged an aggressive campaign using boycotts, petitions and slogans to bring the British slave trade to a decisive end. Albert Finney, Michael Gambon and Rufus Sewell co-star.

Worthwhile but not maudlin feel-good films can be hard to discover. “Amzing Grace” is such a jewel.

For an historical reality check please read the Wikipedia article.

England, through the efforts of Wilberforce, abolished the slave trade in 1807, a half-century before the American Civil War. Stay for the final credits which add that Wilberforce and William Pitt are buried side by side in Westminster Abbey.

Although it is eventually a feel-good film, you will be subjected to unsettling descriptions of the treatment of slaves.

In the film I saw many familiar British actors whose names I have never known. To give some of them credit, you will see:

  • Benedict Cumberbatch was William Pitt. He is currently the Masterpiece Mystery Sherlock Holmes.
  • Michael Gambon was Lord Charles Fox. He was Dumbledore in “Harry Potter”.
  • Rufus Sewell was Thomas Clarkson. He was Alexander Hamilton in “John Adams”.
  • Ciarán Hinds was the evil Lord Tarleton. He was Gaius Julius Cesar in “Rome”.
  • Toby Jones was the cretinous Duke of Clarence. He was Karl Rove in “W”
  • Nicholas Farrell was Henry Thornton. I will always remember him as the young runner Aubrey Montague in “Chariots of Fire”. His screen credits roll on for pages.
  • Albert Finney was John Newton and IS British acting.

DO NOT MISS THIS FILM !!!!