A black man living in New York during the mid-1800s is kidnapped and sold into slavery in the deep south.
Twelve Years A Slave is based on the true story of Solomon Northup, played by a relatively unknown actor with the completely unpronounceable name, Chiwetel Ejiofor.
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) forever alters his life.
The movie 12 Years A Slave could actually be what the completely overrated Django Unchained should have been, a watchable and enjoyable movie about former slaves, (even though the director of 12 Years A Slave has gone by the ridiculous name Steve McQueen, and directed the horrible Michael Fassbender movie Shame, which was rated NC-17).
12 Years A Slaves was produced by and co-stars Brad Pitt, and was originally scheduled for release in 2012… ut was held back, wisely, from production for one year because of Django Unchained.