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Summary:

Based on the true story of Solomon Northup. It is 1841, and Northup, an accomplished, free citizen of New York, is kidnapped and sold into slavery. Stripped of his identity and deprived of all dignity, Northup is ultimately purchased by ruthless plantation owner Edwin Epps and must find the strength within to survive. Filled with powerful performances by an astonishing cast including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt, and newcomer Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave is both an unflinching account of slavery in American history and a celebration of the indomitable power of hope.

Contributors:

McQueen, Steve, 1969- , film director, film producer

Ridley, John, 1965- , screenwriter, film producer

Pitt, Brad, 1963- , film producer, actor

Gardner, Dede , film producer

Kleiner, Jeremy , film producer

Pohlad, William , film producer

Milchan, Arnon , film producer

Katagas, Anthony , film producer

Ross, Tessa , film producer

Ejiofor, Chiwetel , actor

Fassbender, Michael, 1977- , actor

Cumberbatch, Benedict, 1976- , actor

Dano, Paul, 1984- , actor

Dillahunt, Garret, 1964- , actor

Giamatti, Paul , actor

McNairy, Scoot , actor

Nyong'o, Lupita , actor

Oduye, Adepero , actor

Paulson, Sarah, 1974- , actor

Williams, Michael Kenneth , actor

Woodard, Alfre, 1953- , actor

Chalk, Chris (Christopher Eugene) , actor

Bobbitt, Sean , director of photography

Stockhausen, Adam , production designer

Walker, Joe , editor of moving image work

Norris, Patricia , costume designer

Zimmer, Hans , composer

Northup, Solomon, 1808-1863?

Fox Searchlight Pictures , production company, http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/prn

Regency Enterprises , presenter, http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/pre

River Road Entertainment (Firm) , presenter, production company, http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/pre, http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/prn

Plan B (Firm) , production company, http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/prn

New Regency (Firm) , production company, http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/prn

FilmFour (Firm) , production company, http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/prn

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Inc. , film distributor, http://id.loc.gov/vocabulary/relators/fds

Languages:

English
Spanish
French

Language Notes:

In English (Dolby Digital 5.1), optional dubbed Spanish or dubbed French (surround Dolby Digital 2.0); optional Spanish subtitles; English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing (SDH); English descriptive audio track for people with visual disabilities (5.1).

Main Work:

12 years a slave (Motion picture)

Related Works:

Motion picture adaptation of: Twelve years a slave [by Northup, S.]

Subjects:

Northup, Solomon, 1808-1863? — Film adaptations

Northup, Solomon, 1808-1863? — Drama

Enslaved persons — United States — Drama

African Americans — Drama

Plantation life — Louisiana — History — 19th century — Drama

Slavery — Louisiana — History — 19th century — Drama

Kidnapping — United States — Drama

Northup, Solomon, 1808-1863?

1800-1899

African Americans

Plantation life

Slavery

Kidnapping

Slaves

Louisiana

United States

Genres:

Motion pictures

Fiction films

Historical films

Biographical films

Film adaptations

Feature films

Video recordings for the hearing impaired

Video recordings for people with visual disabilities

Feature films — Great Britain

Feature films — United States

Drama

History

System Details:

DVD, NTSC region 1, dual layer, widescreen (2.40:1) presentation; Dolby Digital 5.1, surround Dolby Digital 2.0.

Performers:

Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Garret Dillahunt, Paul Giamatti, Scoot McNairy, Lupita Nyong'o, Adepero Oduye, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Michael Kenneth Williams, Alfre Woodard, Chris Chalk, Taran Killam, Bill Camp.

Production Credits:

Director of photography, Sean Bobbitt ; production designer, Adam Stockhausen ; editor, Joe Walker ; costume designer, Patricia Norris ; music by Hans Zimmer.

General Notes:

Originally released as a motion picture in 2013.
Based on the book Twelve years a slave by Solomon Northup.
Extras: The team; The score; Sneak peek.
Academy Awards, 2014: Best motion picture, Best performance by an actress in a supporting role (Lupita Nyong'o), Best writing, adapted screenplay (John Ridley).
Golden Globes, 2014: Best Motion Picture - Drama.
Independent Spirit Awards, 2014: Best Feature, Best Director (Steve McQueen), Best Supporting Female (Lupita Nyong'o), Best Screenplay (John Ridley), Best Cinematography (Sean Bobbitt).
National Film Registry selection, 2023.

Audience:

MPAA rating: R, for violence/cruelty, some nudity and brief sexuality ; Canadian home video rating: 14A.

Physical Description:

1 videodisc (approximately 134 minutes) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.

Physical Characteristics:

4 3/4 in.

Audio Characteristics:

digital; optical; surround; Dolby Digital 5.1; Dolby Digital 2.0

Film Characteristics:

24 fps; 2.40:1; wide screen

Video Characteristics:

laser optical; NTSC

Digital Characteristics:

video file; DVD video; region 1

Call Numbers:

12 2013 DVD

Other Standard Numbers:

Universal Product Code: 024543880967
Universal Product Code: 024543880974
Publisher Number, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (U.S.): 2288096
Publisher Number, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Canada): 2288097

OCLC Numbers:

869567122