Nov 08,2013
Based on an incredible true story of one mans 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, Solomons chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) will forever alter his life.
| nudity | An implied attempt at sex in which a man approaches a girl on a boat and begins to lead her away before being stopped by someone. A scene where a group of slaves bathe outside--full frontal and rear nudity seen; male and female; full bodies seen (no close-ups). In a slave market, the slaves are sold nude so that their potential buyers can inspect them. Males: buttocks, back, and torso from hips up. Females: full frontal nudity. Slave market continued. Men, assumed to be nude, bodies shown above the hip area. Camera pans; possibly more of body shown, but it is blurred. A clothed rape which lasts about 40 seconds (mainly clothed chests shown as well). Full frontal and rear nudity is partly visible during the whipping of a nude woman. |
| violence | A woman is whipped on the back numerous times. The camera angle is usually opposite to the actual contact. But we can still see the graphic wounds, whipping sounds, pained faces and even blood mist spraying from the most savage hits. A woman who has been whipped is cared for by other slaves. A man is hit on the back with a wooden club-pan multiple times bloodlessly. A woman's face and/or eye is scratched, possibly with a razor. Difficult to tell which, as it's brief and seen from a distance. A man is hanged by the neck on his toes for an extended scene before the rope is cut down. A man is stabbed once with a knife. Minimal blood. In one scene, a few slaves are hanged and we see their bodies convulse briefly. A woman is bloodlessly hit on the head with a bottle. |
| profanity | Frequent uses of 'nigger' and one use of 'bitch' (mostly from whites). |
| alcohol | Several characters drink casually throughout the film. A man says he has been fired once for having alcohol problems. |
| frightening | The whipping, beating, and face-damage scene could all be hard to watch. The rape may upset some viewers. Themes of racism throughout. NOTE: To show the brutality of real life, none of this content is inappropriate to the time period or just used for the sake of it. All the nudity, violence and constant use of 'nigger' is used for a reason and a realistic perception into a life of slavery. |
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