12 Years a Slave [Blu-ray]

12 Years a Slave is a 2013 biographical period-drama film and an adaptation of the 1853 slave memoir Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup, a New York State-born free African-American man who was kidnapped in Washington, D.C., by two conmen in 1841 and sold into slavery. Northup was put to work on plantations in the state of Louisiana for 12 years before being released.Undoubtedly - one cannot start this review without singing praises in regards to the set design and choices made by the costume department; the location (And even in fields near the location Northup was kept as a slave in real life) in which shooting occurred alone does much to immerse audience members into a situation that is not considered common place in our modern - era.The Real Genius however, were the techniques implemented to enhance the visceral experience while watching this film. There are often moments where sounds related to being enslaved (Such as, singing, wailing, and the like) begin as the focal point of a scene and slowly become what is heard in the background of another scene as it begins. In addition to this, scenes meant to encapsulate the brutality of slavery (Like one in which Solomon is hung from a tree and barely survives) are defined by a poignant silence that only becomes more uncomfortable the longer a scene is almost forcibly continued. The soul beckons at the nature of which these elements are combined - When will it stop! When will it stop?! - and gives the audience a tiny morsel of the thoughts that must have been plaguing the minds of the figures being portrayed in real life.‘12 Years A Slave’ boasts an ensemble cast at its hip and delivers performances that carry significant weight regardless of their length. The emotions that are conveyed - ranging from reckless ambivalence to profound idealism - are seamlessly included and offer an additional layer of authenticity to the characters and the totality of their separate situations. There is a glimmer of optimism and hope that is carefully applied without inching into the realm of overzealous naivety. Nyong'o - whom won best supporting actress for this film - flawlessly embodies the ferocity of her character and draws empathy in doses that are both expected and unconventional.Being a well research film, it has been confirmed that much of the content contained in this one is accurate and there is some amount of documentation (including Northrup’s memoir) substantiating the chronicled events; none of the characters are created for the sake of forcing the film to its conclusion and even the personality of real life figures is distinguishably maintained.Regardless, I have seen some complaints; specifically, I have seen some complaints that ‘12 Years A Slave’ doesn’t explain the ~nature~ in which this system built on the backbone of racist value was able to grow and thrive. I humbly suggest that these criticism be lightly tossed aside, for a variety of reasons!) This film is meant to be account of a very traumatic period of time for a person of color that was treated unjustly; why the [beep] would a movie like this one need to go in to ~deep~ detail about the intricacies of the system that was complicit in his maltreatment? To validate his situation???2) It’s very clear even in this film that the caucasian characters that show the slightest bit of humanity are ultimately self-serving; none of the characters that would be considered charismatic given the overall context stick their necks out or even simply refuse to participate in the buying or selling of slaves at the end of the day. There is one - ONE. ONE. ONE. - white character that agrees to do Soloman a favor towards the end, but even that is met with some initial pushback due to some amount of fear or anxiety being present.3) [This is where I reiterate point number 1]:THIS FILM IS MEANT TO BE ACCOUNT OF A VERY TRAUMATIC PERIOD OF TIME FOR A PERSON OF COLOR THAT WAS TREATED UNJUSTLY; WHY THE [BEEP] WOULD A MOVIE LIKE THIS ONE NEED TO GO IN TO ~DEEP~ DETAIL ABOUT THE INTRICACIES OF THE SYSTEM THAT WAS COMPLICIT IN HIS MALTREATMENT? TO VALIDATE HIS SITUATION?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Films like this one are uncomfortable and distressing.But they are too important.They are just too [bleeping] important.I would recommend!

Great movie

One of the best movies I’ve seen. The acting was incredible (except for that one woman who was crying over her kids towards the beginning)

If you haven't seen this, be prepared to go through every emotion on the spectrum. There is a reason this swept the academy awards. Incredible doesn't do it justice.

So many have already provided summaries of this film, opinions upon the great acting, historical accuracy and even racial bias, so I will refrain from being redundant and focus solely upon the actual quality of the film on Blu Ray. It is rare that I would ever buy a film I had not seen elsewhere either on TV or in the theaters but I knew that I had to own this one and I am glad that I took the chance.Keep in mind that the quality of what you see and hear also depends upon the quality of TV monitor you are using and its accompanying home theater processor and speakers. I have a pretty high end, esoteric system and am judging the Blu Ray off of that.VIDEO..... The video imaging on Blu Ray is absolutely excellent. Colors for both skin and environment are very accurate with no false saturation or smoothing that I could notice. Small details are clearly discerned in the grass, in the hair and throughout the film. While the blacks did not appear to go very deep details in shadow areas are nicely present. The Mbps rate appeared to average in the high 30's and low 40's depending upon the amount of action in the scene itself. At no point was there any artifacting or imaging issues. Contrast was good but not overly sharpened and general resolution was superior to most BR's that i have seen or owned.AUDIO.... The audio is a lossless DTS 5.1 soundtrack with volume settings just as they should be. Whispers can be heard, and dialogue is clear and transparent. The surrounds are used primarily for environmental ambience. While there is some discreet usage of the surround speakers and some panning between the stages left and right, do not expect as much as I think there could have been. Your LFE channel has not much work at all to do as there really is no low bass. Where the audio track really shines is when the slaves are singing in the fields, then the audio becomes most immersive as if you were there. Great choice of field songs and not the same ones that come to mind when you think of the old gospel singing associated with films of this nature.I know that, for many, this film could be very difficult to sit through. Back in the 70's when Roots first appeared, that was difficult as well. Both films do the subject justice in every way.EXTRAS.... There is a single documentary on the making, shooting and casting of the film. This doc is split into two parts to make you think you are getting more for the money. You aren't. Never the less, the documentary is really well done and interesting and a big step above many of the 'Making of' documentaries found on DVD and BR. There are two other short docs on the 'music score' and the team of people who contributed to the film.There are also a few trailers for other movies....I do not think that these trailers are 'extras'. They just force you to pay for the companies advertising and take up more room on the Blu Ray disc calling for even more compression of the film you are paying for. There is also a digital download which I have not tried to do as yet.I do hope that this review has been of some HELP to you in deciding your purchase. All my reviews focus solely upon the quality of the actual disc and not redundant summaries and acting opinions.Thanks for reading.

Good movie

I remember watching this movie when it first came out.Recently while working on a Family Tree I came across slave owners on a branchof the tree dating back to the 1800's. I was so ashamed to see owninganother human being was actually part of the family. I ordered this movie to sit andwatch once again to see what slaves "people" went through on the Plantations of thoseWho thought they were better than anyone else. If most look back in your Lineage you will most likely find the same on your tree.It is shameful beyond words. I see everyone as one we all bleed red however, watchingThis movie reminds me that not all think the same way.

Excelentes imágenes, muy buen trama, la recomiendo

Had to see the movie in parts since sitting through it at one stretch is too much for the emotions. Brilliant story which must be told about the deplorable days of slavery.

Après les très bons Hunger et Shame, Steve McQueen tutoie une nouvelle fois les sommets avec 12 Years A Slave. Steve McQueen est un réalisateur engagé comme nous l'avait montré Hunger, et cette fois-ci, il s'attaque à un sujet poignant et à la mode à Hollywood: l'esclavage. C'est un film très dur, terrible et passionnant à regarder à la fois. Certaines scènes sont d'une incroyable violence (les coups de fouets sont terrifiants).12 Years A Slave est un film dramatique, historique, d'aventure humaine mais aussi un film très ambiancé. La composition de Hans Zimmer bien que classique reste dans le ton et accompagne notre boule au ventre. Le film est effroyable, le spectateur se retrouve régulièrement dans la tourmente, je n'ai pas tendance à pleurer devant un film, mais je dois avouer que j'ai eu plusieurs fois les yeux humides. La faute à des acteurs exceptionnels, Chiwetel Ejiofor en tête. Le casting est d'ailleurs prestigieux bien que bon nombre de stars n'apparaissent que très peu à l'écran.Le film a gagné des Oscars et c'est à mon sens amplement mérité. Steve McQueen a un talent fou et il prend le pari réussi de traiter de ce sujet sous un angle qui ne plaira pas à tout le monde. Le film est assez long, nous n’avons pas d'unité de temps, donc aucun repère quant aux 12 années passées si ce n'est la chevelure de Solomon qui tire vers le blanc. Malgré cette lenteur apparente, les 2h14 sont un régal. Une vraie expérience bouleversante, plus saisissante que Le Majordome ou La Couleur des Sentiments, plus sérieux que Django Unchained. Plus besoin de faire de films sur ce sujet, 12 Years A Slave suffit largement.Bref, super film. 9/10.

Esta película muestra la esclavitud negro en los Estados Unidos. Cuenta la historia de un hombre negro, libre y culta, que es secuestrada por traficantes de seres humanos y se vende a una terrible agricultor. Él como los demás, es tratado como un animal. Recibe un nuevo nombre y lucha por sobrevivir frente al castigo físico cruel. No pierdas la esperanza, y un día se las arregla para contar su historia a un hombre blanco canadiense procedente obligar a la granja de prestación de servicios. Este hombre denuncia a lo que está sucediendo y el hombre es finalmente liberado. Hay momentos terribles y crueles, no muy distantes que aún ocurre en algunos estados de ese país, donde los blancos matan a negros e inmigrantes. Pero la película también se puede recordar la esclavitud negro en toda América, de norte a sur, patrocinado por los europeos libres y educados.