Two men separated by 100 years are united in their search for freedom. In 1856 a slave, Samuel Woodward and his family, escape from the Monroe Plantation near Richmond, Virginia. A secret network of ordinary people known as the Underground Railroad guide the family on their journey north to Canada. They are relentlessly pursued by the notorious slave hunter Plimpton. Hunted like a dog and haunted by the unthinkable suffering he and his forbears have endured, Samuel is forced to decide between revenge or freedom. 100 years earlier in 1748, John Newton the Captain of a slave trader sails from Africa with a cargo of slaves, bound for America. On board is Samuel's great grandfather whose survival is tied to the fate of Captain Newton. The voyage changes Newton's life forever and he creates a legacy that will inspire Samuel and the lives of millions for generations to come.
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Reviews
It was poorly written and acted. Cuba Gooding, Jr.'s character was melodramatic, which provided annoying faux drama. It's a musical, but the music had not been written at the time the movie was set, except for "Amazing Grace," of which you can hear better versions elsewhere. Largely historically inaccurate in all ways. I don't see how anyone could enjoy anything about this movie, except that they ultimately escape despite the lead character's idiocy.
If you give points for trying and for a very sad and engaging basic idea this movie is trying to pull off, you might be more loose with it. And even think more of the movie than I did. And don't get me wrong, I don't dislike the movie, I gave it some extra points for trying, but not as many as some other on IMDb. And it's nice to see Cuba Gooding Jr. in a more serious role. He's a former Academy Award winner for crying out loud.The acting is OK and the "story" moves on quite nicely, if at a slow pace at times. Handling slavery (no pun intended) and the story of those involved is never easy. Especially when it comes to an escape story too. This is based on real characters (one of the best things is in the end credits, when we get to know who was who and what they did), so you can give it Kudos for that too. Other movies have handled the nature of the movie better of course and more dramatic
The premise of the movie was to show that there is redemption in believing. Cuba Gooding Jr overacts again. Sharon Leal in underused. The story centered around John Newton, slave trader, singer, poet and writer of Amazing Grace, and a family trying to escape from slavery in the South to Freedom in the North. The story could have been so much more nail-biting. I found it unbelievable and rather weird that the leads broke into song at the most inappropriate times. The story is loosely based on fact and the introduction of the true heroes of days gone by is probably enough to make the film worth a watch. Overall-disappointing.
A powerful MOVIE, That gives, US a look into Life in the EARLY 1800's. FREEDOM is the HUMAN RIGHT of all.. SLAVERY is the INJUSTICE that many were given. FAITH and HOPE was the Inspiration, To Change the Course of History... AMAZING GRACE, HOW Sweet the sound.... WE all can do OUR BIT, To Change a World, Where SLAVERY IS Still A HUMAN EVIL, THAT has To be ADDRESSED, with a HUMAN RIGHTS AGENDA.... In Our World we see so much injustice, our Voice must be heard. This Movie, has the inspiration to help where we can, to tell our Government, that FREEDOM/PEACE is our only real Progress, for our Country to instill in all of us. Also the rest of the World.
