12 Years a Slave (2014)

 ●  English ● 2 hrs 14 mins

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Based on an incredible true story of one man's fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender), as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) will forever alter his life.

Cast: Ashley Dyke, Chiwetel Ejiofor

Crew: Steve McQueen (Director), Sean Bobbitt (Director of Photography), Hans Zimmer (Music Director)

Rating: A (India)

Genres: Drama, History

Release Dates: 31 Jan 2014 (India)

Tagline: The extraordinary true story of Solomon Northup

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Based on 4 ratings
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Music Rating
Based on 2 ratings
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Did you know? The film won the ADAM, UPC Audience Award at Amsterdam Film Week 2013. Read More
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as Anna
as Solomon Northup
as Eliza
Supporting Actress
Supporting Actor
Supporting Actor
as Radburn
as Samuel Bass
as Alonzo Northup
as Clemens
as John
Supporting Actor
Supporting Actor
Supporting Actor
as Anne Northup
Supporting Actress
as Captain
Supporting Actor
as Edwin Epps
Supporting Actor
as Randall
Supporting Actor
Supporting Actor
as Margaret Northup
Supporting Actor
Supporting Actor
Supporting Actress
as Brown
as Emily
as Hamilton
as Biddee
as Mr. Moon
Supporting Actress

Direction

Director
First Assistant Director

Writers

Screenplay Writer
Novelist

Camera and Electrical

Director of Photography

Music

Music Director

Sound

Foley Editor
Foley Artist
Sound Effects Editor
Boom Operator

Art

Production Designer
Art Director
Set Decorator

Casting

Casting Director

Costume and Wardrobe

Costume Designer

Editorial

Editor

Makeup and Hair

Hair Stylist

Post Production

Post Production Supervisor

Special Effects

Special Effects Coordinator
Special Effects Technician

Stunts

Stunt Coordinator
Film Type:
Feature
Language:
English
Colour Info:
Color
Sound Mix:
Dolby
Camera:
ARRICAM Lite (LT), ARRICAM Studio (ST)
Frame Rate:
24 fps
Aspect Ratio:
2.35:1
Stereoscopy:
No
Archival Source:
QubeVault
Taglines:
The extraordinary true story of Solomon Northup
Goofs:
Continuity
Fella falls back into mud, in the pig pen. But his back is clean.

Continuity
When Edwin Epps is chasing Soloman, he tries to cut him off by running through a pig pen. Epps slips and falls in the pen getting his clothes incredibly dirty, yet in the next shot his clothes are clean with no evidence that he had fallen.

Continuity
When Soloman is drinking wine with the Hamilton and Brown, Hamilton drinks all of his glass and then tops off Soloman's. In the next shot Hamilton's glass is half-filled and they have a toast.

Miscellaneous
In one scene there are water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), an invasive aquatic plant native to South America, floating in the swamp. Water hyacinth were not introduced to North America until 1884, when they were exhibited (and subsequently released) during the World's Fair which took place in New Orleans. The location of the fair is now the site of Audubon Park.
Trivia:
Won Oscars 2014: Best Picture

This intense drama that follows the unjust enslavement of a free man in antebellum America, became the first to pass Indian censors for full-frontal nudity. It was originally to have nine cuts made to it, but a review found the nude scenes to be "necessary" and kept them in "based on merit".

Michael Fassbender momentarily passed out after filming the rape scene.

Film debut of Lupita Nyong'o.

Chiwetel Ejiofor was hesitant to portray Solomon Northup before accepting. The actor prepared for his role by immersing himself in the Louisiana plantation culture and learning how to use and play the violin.

This purported nonfiction story, based on a memoir written in 1853, was also the source for the 1984 made-for-TV movie, 'American Playhouse: Solomon Northup's Odyssey' (1984), which starred Avery Brooks.

This is the third film collaboration of Michael Fassbender and Brad Pitt. They previously both appeared in 'Inglourious Basterds' (2009) and 'The Counselor' (2013).

This movie marks the reuniting of Dwight Henry and Quvenzhané Wallis, both from Louisiana, where the film was shot, who had been acclaimed just months before for their first acting roles when they costarred in 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' (2012).

Taran Killam often impersonates Brad Pitt on Saturday Night Live (1975). Though both actors appear in this film, they never met nor worked together in it. Pitt's Plan B company produced the movie, and Pitt's role was only a small one.

Of the seven titles directed by Steve McQueen through July 2013, this movie is the first which does not have a one-word title.

The film won the ADAM, UPC Audience Award at Amsterdam Film Week 2013.

Along with _Gravity (2013)_ this is the first film to tie for Best Picture at the Producer Guild Awards.