Product Details

• Actors: Charles Durning, Brock Peters, Alfre Woodard
• Directors: H.D. Motyl
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Mpi Home Video
• DVD Release Date: January 25, 2005
• Run Time: 70 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00069FLB8
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #74,563 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

On the morning of June 28, 1839, the schooner La Amistad set sail from Havana, Cuba, with a cargo that included 53 Africans who had been abducted from Sierra Leone and sold into slavery in violation of international law. Unaware of their fate and fearing they would be killed, the Africans revolted, sparing only two crew members to guide the ship eastward to their home. After a two-month voyage on a zigzag course, La Amistad was finally captured at Long Island, New York, where the Africans were jailed and charged with piracy and murder.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enlightening view on a little-known episode of American history, January 9, 2007

By	Florentissimo "Florentissimo" (Palaiseau, France) - See all my reviews

The Voyage of La Amistad is a highly valuable companion piece to whomever wants to understand the gripping issues and stakes of slavery in 19th century America. What I did appreciate is the clear presentation of the case, the pedagogical approach and the rich pictures and documents that are dealt with in the video. Also, it is a precious document in so far as it makes up for the flaws and inaccuracies that can be found in the Spielberg Movie on Amistad. So, from a classroom point of view and for someone interested in teaching genuine,unadulterated history, the video is certainly to be considered as a useful and purposeful tool.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Straightforward,Factual and informational documentary-style, March 14, 2007

By	KerrLines ""Movies,Music,Theatre"" (Baltimore,MD) - See all my reviews

In June 1839,53 Africans were sold by their own people and transported to Havana ,Cuba.There they were sold as Spanish property illegally.A revolt occurs on the schooner,La Amistad and the slaves make their way to the Long Island Coast.There begins a trist of International politics and abolitionists all jockeying for position as these helpless Africans,confused and despairing,hang in the balance.Strictly a narrrated documentary in an interview/voiceover/still photo/reinactment style,THE Alfre Woodard narrated THE VOYAGE OF LA AMISTAD allows the viewer to gain a little extra knowledge and insight into the Amistad trial.Frankly,though, the Spielberg film AMISTAD does a far more compelling and simply more exciting rendering of the same events.Where the Spielberg film may have condensed some characters and events for time and viewing interest,THE VOYAGE OF LA AMISTAD is a very faithful,straight forward retelling of the facts-names,dates etc.This documentary works beautifully as a companion to the film AMISTAD and seems best suited for teaching purposes.I also recommend the film THE MIDDLE PASSAGE which is very haunting and lyrical in contrast to this documentary.All three films mentioned plus A RESPECTABLE TRADE make for a great collector's library as well as the current theatrical release AMAZING GRACE about the abolition of the Slave Trade from England.