You may think you've seen some shocking and outrageous movies before, but you haven't seen anything until you've seen Goodbye, Uncle Tom. A pseudo-documentary about the horrors of slavery in pre-Civil War America, the movie has something to anger absolutely everyone. Out of print for years, the movie is finally back in print as part of the Mondo Cane box set. Mondo Cane is an Italian movie known for its sensationalistic and titillating approach to documentary filmmaking, but it's got nothing on this film.
The movie is filmed as if modern filmmakers took a trip the antebellum south and recorded what they saw there, with an emphasis on the most inhuman stuff they could find. So, we get to see rape, torture, children being sold as sex toys, beatings, and just about everything else you can think of. Even when there are not massive amounts of violence on the screen, it's still pretty disturbing. There's a shot of a little white girl and a little black boy running through a field together; after a little while you realize the girl has the boy on a leash. And about every five minutes, there's someone prattling on about the inferiority of blacks people. Much of the dialog comes from the actual letters and documents of time, so at least there's some devotion to historical accuracy. I'm not sure how accurate everything else is, but even if only 10 percent of it is true, it would still be absolutely horrible.
When not creating re-enactments of slavery, the filmmakers shot some actual documentary footage about race relations between blacks and whites in America in the early 70s. There's a lot of angry rhetoric from people like Eldridge Cleaver and some staged footage of some Black Panthers slicing up a white couple and beating an infant's head against a wall. There's also a scene in which a black guy tries to read The Diary of Nat Turner on the beach and fantasies about killing some nearby white people. By the end of the movie, you're not really sure whether you've watched a collection of David Duke's favorite moments in American history or a Five Percent Nation recruitment tape.
The movie has been called one of the most racist films ever made, which is ironic since the filmmakers made it to deflect accusations of racism over of their earlier documentary Goodbye, Africa. I think the problem people have with it is that it brings an exploitation flick sensibility to the study of a very painful part of Americas past. There are a lot of lascivious nude shots, especially in the part where the filmmakers visit a whorehouse staffed by slaves. In fact, there's a part in which the cameraman has sex with a 13-year-old slave girl, which is icky no matter how you slice it. It's a bit like compiling a movie of scenes of naked female prisoners in concentration camps and calling it The Original Girls Gone Wild. There are slow-motion death scenes, and an S&M sequence that looks like it came out a late night movie on Cinemax. Even more problematic is the fact that many of the slaves are portrayed as barely being human. In the "Stud farm" sequence, a young slave girl is raped by a slave "stud" who growls and drools like a dog. The only black characters with major speaking roles are a pimp and a cruel "mammy" character. Amistad this is not.
In the modern-day scenes, the filmmakers seem torn over whether to suggest that we all get along or that all we all start beating each other to death with baseball bats. The filmmakers have said that were just trying to show what was going on and not trying to send a "message", but at times it seems like they're just hoping there's going to be a race war in America so they can film it all. There are no interviews, just footage of black power rallies and hippies and audio recordings of black radicals declaring their contempt for Martin Luther King, Jr. and white people in general. One man goes so far as to declare that all white women are ugly. This is one movie in which no one looks to the cookie.
In the end, Goodbye, Uncle Tom is not so much a racist movie as it is a completely tasteless movie. It's like watching a John Waters-directed version of Black Like Me - whatever lessons about racism there are to be learned, they'll be overshadowed by the scenes of transvestites getting hit in the face with colostomy bags. I have no problems with a discussion of race relations or the horrors of slavery, but bringing a Jerry Springer-type sensibility to it is a really bad idea. The movie stands as a testament to good intentions gone completely awry.
Having said that, I'm surprised that it's been such an obscure film for so many years. I'd say that Birth of a Nation and Triumph of the Will are much dodgier productions, yet they can still easily be found in stores and are studied in film classes. Goodbye, Uncle Tom is one of the most incendiary pieces of filmmaking I've ever seen, and yet it's been rarely seen since its debut in the early 70s. The movie may be tacky and offensive, but it will provoke a lot more discussion than almost any other movie you've seen. Goodbye, Uncle Tom is part of the new Mondo Cane box set offered by Blue Underground, and it is definitely worth your time to watch it. I don't think it's possible for anyone to actually enjoy the movie, but I guarantee it will be an unforgettable experience.
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Article comments
26 - Saladin Al-Sharief
Tasteless isn't even a good enough word. This movie is ABSOLUTE GARBAGE. I bought the movie, and was told it was hard to look at. I was cool with that, because hey.. Slaves lived their whole life in those conditions, I can at least watch it.. But by the time I got to the part where they "fed" the slaves in that trough, I had enough. It wasn't that the reality of what I was seeing was unbearable, no. It was the tasteless depiction of it.
When the veternarian with the mask on is "inspecting" the male slave, & says, "oh, what's that, a flag raising, boy?" & the slave starts smiling.. Or when they were sticking the hoses up behind, and some of the men were smiling? The way the were physically handling those babies, all while this comical music played. This movie makes fun of black people, period.
I don't how how any self respecting black person could have allowed themselves to be a part of that movie. Again, I'm all for watching something about the struggle. Even if it's graphic or violent, cool. But it has to be a TASTEFUL depiction of these events. This movie was beyond tasteless and offensive. This movie is the work of a racist director who wanted to make fun of what is, in his mind, a bunch of pickaninny, coon, spear-chucking, sambo, niggers.. Trust me, the way people have parties to watch the Sopranos? Klan people have parties and watch this movie, and they LOVE it..
I'm black, I'm down with the struggle, and I hate slavery. My ancestors went through it. They were born in and died in it. This movie disgraces their struggle, bottom line. The director needs to come into the hood, play it in a theatre, and stick around for questions after its over. He deserves whatever happens next..
27 - T. Blakenprowd
I just watched the movie. As a black woman in America, i believe that the underlying hatred of pretentious people who try to act as if they are interested in seeing a world where "all men are created equal"... is finally exposed.
As "disgusting" as this movie may seem, the atrocities depicted in it are REAL! We can be angry and disgusted all we like, however the reality is that last week there were a large number of black men gunned down, not only at the hands of the police and "Klansmen," but at our own hands.
This self-hatred did not just "appear" out of thin air... it was fostered and bred by a society of people who continue to subtly implant hatred among themselves and their offspring and promote division among others. All in the name of "Democracy"!
This is a movie that pulls the wool off of all people's eyes, either disgusts you or excites you- either way- it is IN YOUR FACE! IT HAPPENED and IT IS REAL! BUY A BIG BAG OF POPCORN... HAVE A PICNIC (pick a nigg..) AND PLEASE DO, ENJOY Your Wake UP CALL!!!!
28 - Dee
I watched a bit of this film yesterday, it was extremely hard to watch. It saddens me to know this is what my people went through. I'm a 17 year old female living in the UK and until know I didn't know what pain our balck people went through. Growing up wihtin this society, I kind of feel embarassed to be me, or even be black. Since watching that film yesterday I am now a proud black girl. We as black people have achieved so much that we should be thanked, but the truth is we never will. In news articles you notice how everything is blamed upon we black people, our name is always called or blamed upon, but whenever it is the opposite race not much is done.
As Kanye West says in one of his songs 'Racism is alive, they just be conceling it'. Its sad to know that it still exists, but I ill be proud of who I am.
Its funny how once upon a time white people hated us, some still do, but now they wanna look like us, they have cosmetic surgery to be like us, have fuller lips, corn rows in their hair, want bigger bums, want to take credit for 'black' music.
Until yesterday when I watched the film I realised I was always running away from who I was, but I'm just figuring out who I am now.
Don't get me wrong though, I respect many white people and have nothing against them, as they can't be blamed for the actions of their anscetos, but if anyone wants to discrimate or look down on me because of the colour of my skin, I won't hesistate to tell them what I think of them.
And to think I only watched a little of the film
29 - Dee
They would never show this video on British TV, they wanna sugarcoat what actually happened
30 - Faith
I watched a bulk of the movie (I havent finished yet) just because it was alot to take in. but i must say, i like the way it was shot. the way they filmed it, felt like you were actually there. so there's that part.
secondly, this movie upset the shit outta me. lol. I am a young black female, who has read extensively on the ills of slavery etc. and i must say i have never seen something so graphic and real in my life. i have read about these things, but to see them...hellll nawwww....I remember my moms making me watch Roots and got upset....I remember my mama making me watch Amistad and i got upset...watched Sankofa...my dad passed this dvd along to me and i was oh shit!
I don't understand why people keep saying it was not tastefully done. how do you tastefully do a documentary about slavery? It's not tasteful, its horrid, disgusting, upsetting, demeaning, terrible and every other thing. it was made to upset people and i see why they banned it. people dont wanna see the truth. black, white whoever don't want to face it. some brush it off as, oh it happed over 500 years ago..blah blah get over it..bull shit!
I was so shocked i couldnt cry (thats what i usually do...lol) i just sat there in awe. I read about these things, and it is graphically shown on the screen. I intend to finish the movie soon!
Everyone needs to see this. Maybe not children...but anyone kinda grown needs to see this, black white, spanish, whateva! You need to see this. esepcially the dumb asses that say "slavery is over, get over it." and you will see why some black people are the way they are, and as black people how are we gonna be alright again. I'm not even talking about reparations (even though it is well well well fuckin' deserved, the jews got it) or some public apology because its not sincere, you will never know how it feels...but how are we gonna take our lives back? we have made such an impact on the world, but many of those see us as inferior still....and we see each other as inferior still....go watch the damn movie now! i'll holla!
31 - Malik K. Shabazz
This movie should be called"Reperations" I recommend every blackman and blackwoman to see this movie at least once in their lifetime. Ce film s'appelle "Les blancs nous doivent" Jai recomande a tout les hommes noir et femmes noir de regarder cette film au moins une fois dan la vie
32 - Hasan
I am happy that some one made a movie that almost is a mirrior image of what the slaves went through. It shows that the white man is the true animal. after watching that movie as an african American young male I have a different
view on the united states and I will see to it that a lot more of my kind see it thank you!
33 - Lillian
And our rappers use the word "Ni**a" loosely. I hear Hispanic young people use the word loosely and think nothing of being in the presence of a black when they say it. All of those idiots who use that word should see this I'd say, but it may not make an impact on a bling-minded individual.
The disturbing thing to me about movies like this is not that it's graphic. I was pre-warned to expect that. Rather I am upset that I see the remnants of slavery and continued racial inequities today.
At my corporate job, the majority of the menial labor staff (cooks, security and mailroom) are black. In the production department, I am the only black, and I am at the bottom of my group.
I have to take orders from younger, less experieced and less educated white women. When a grammatical error is made, the supervisor (a conservative white male) assumes I'm at fault despite the fact that I graduated from NYU with honors and am in graduate school. What else do I have to do? Be re-born white?
I have a Thai friend who wants to be white and marry an American...meaning white (man). Our enemies are ourselves, whites and those non-whites who adopt the white-is-right mentality.
To look at the past is easy. To see the effects of the past in our suffering and attitudes today is difficult.
We are in a world where a new generation of whites are guilt-free and in power, subconsciously repeating the pattern of their ancestors. We have blacks who have inherited self-hatred but don't recognize it as such. We have bold programming of minstrel value (Flavor of Love) that our own black people consider mere entertainment and would object to those objecting to it.
Those realities are much more disturbing to me.
34 - Lillian
The lady who checks the slave women is exactly like a black secretary at my job. She's loud and bossy. She's especially rude to people who don't hold power. She virtually worships celebrities and white people? Oh, she adores white people. I think I'll brink her a hankerchief for her head so that when I see her cooning, it all makes sense.
35 - Clyde
I disagree with the above comments that sepculate that the film is about 10% accurate. I felt that the film was 100% accurate. Just because its difficult to imagine how stupid and lazy people in the pre-civil war south were doesn't mean the film isnt accurate. Alot of time and effort were put into this film and I thought the film was wonderful (as a documentary - i dont delight at the suffering of others). The only part that I felt was somewhat discontinuous with the rest fo the film was the end. The modern time race crimes depicted in the end are disturbing when presented as historicly justified behavior. While one can tell now (after viewing the 1st 95% of the film) the motovations some of the black panthers may have had, the end seems to throw the rest of the film into question (which is too bad). As far as historical accuracy, anyone who says its not accurate has some type of denial or psychological aversion to the truth that they need to work through.
36 - nobluegums
I liked how it showed africans to be nothing but primitave apes. This wasn't the intent of the filmmakers, but it came through brilliantly. It's too bad the white actors were overacting their parts.
I didn't like the bestiality in this movie, however. It occurred in real life, but definitely not how it was portrayed in this strange movie.
37 - Trae
Great film, funny as a southerner to see it from a foreign view. You can watch it free here:
38 - Michael
This is not the history this society teach our children in books.For my brothers and sisters I say watch the movie, make sure your children see it and give prayers for the millions that didnt make it through journey from the middle passage.
The truth is often the first casualty of brutality. The majority of them see their ancestors as pioneering, brave, and culture building. They purposeful dont see them for what they were, butchers.
Perhaps they hate us because we see this
Do not waste your words with these here. If they wish to believe us animals, let them. Their underestimation can only strengthen our position.
For the barbarism that they inflicted on us, the native american, and countless others will one day have a reckoning, and their founding fathers are all in Hell.
It's funny that to learn to be truly brutal we had to come here. Now many of our children are soldiers who have founght in every major war and even the present one. Green Berets, Rangers, Seals, even Delta.
This is good, because if the attempt is ever made on us again...., Well I'll just leave it at that.
Sleep tight
39 - Jayboogie
I've just seen the movie for which there was a discussion session afterwards. Many black people in the audience were disgusted and said the movie was made by white racists etc. I have to say that it was a very difficult watch but I'm glad I saw it. As a black woman that would be my preference to living through it as my ancestors did daily. It was very clumsy in parts and the music was a paradox against the backdrop of horror I was watching - but through it all, it confirmed to me the grotesque destruction of the African mind which was essential for slavery to continue over centuries as it did. There are too many disturbing scenes to mention but one would definitely be the 'stud' farm' where we were bred like the animals they told us we were ... now its clear why centuries later there are still fatherhood issues for many Black men in both America and the Caribbean which stems from the fact that they were force to rape black women with their 'good seed' to produce more slaves (as trade from Africa had been outlawed). They had no relationship with these women and they didn't know their children ...black family was forbidden as everyone was owned.
It shows how painfully pitiful the Klan really are if they love this film as someone said in an earlier review. White people don't come out looking good in this! They're depicted as brutal, ignorant, in-bred, illiterate paedophiles - which goes in some way to explain why many white liberals didn't want this film to be shown ....
40 - Igor Alexander
Chris -
It's interesting that you made a crack about David Duke in your article, because Duke actually mentions this movie in his autobiography, My Awakening. From pages 310-311 of his book:
I'm not sure I agree with Mr. Duke's theory about Jews having made this movie to incite hatred against white gentiles. I just watched the "director's cut" version and there are a number of points in the movie where it's implied that Jews were involved in the slave trade (which they were), and there is at least one part where Jews are explicitly blamed for the oppression of blacks (cue the film at about 1h 14m to see what I'm referring to). If this film was a totally Jewish production, why would Jews be attempting to incite hatred against themselves? Of course, it's quite likely that the version of the film Mr. Duke saw in the theatre all those years ago was very different from the director's cut, and may have had the parts naming Jews removed.
I do, however, agree with Mr. Duke that this movie was intended to incite hatred towards whites, and judging by the comments left here by some of your black readers, the producers were successful.
41 - Igor Alexander
A number of people leaving comments have referred to this movie as a documentary. This film is not a documentary, folks. To the best of my knowledge, the producers never claimed that it was. Calling it a documentary makes about as much sense as calling Schindler's List (which was based on a novel) or Oliver Stone's JFK a documentary; there may be some historical truth woven into those movies, but by and large, they're works of fiction.
Slaves were pieces of property that had monetary (and practical) value, but only so long as they were alive and in reasonably good health; does anyone truly believe that the average white slave owner would have wasted valuable time and resources hunting down and killing escaped slaves that he had paid good money for? That's ridiculous, and yet that's just one of the many whoppers the filmmakers have asked us to swallow. Also strange how the makers of this movie, who obviously did a fair bit of research, neglected to mention that the slave trade was to a large extent run by blacks at the African end. I guess it's harder to demonize whites when you have to explain to your audience that African blacks were also cutting a profit off the trade in black flesh.
If you wanted to be generous, you could call this film a historical drama. I think it'd be more accurate to call it a nasty piece of political propaganda which was intended to fan the flames of racial hatred at a time in U.S. history (the mid 60's to mid 70's) when an all-out race war seemed like a likely prospect.
It's creepy to think the producers went through with this movie knowing full well that it would increase social unrest, political instability, and acts of violence against whites (not to mention blacks considered to be "Uncle Toms"). I'd be curious to know what their motivations were for making it, especially considering that they are themselves white. Another case of trendy, self-righteous European liberals sticking their noses in American affairs, perhaps? Or was David Duke correct in asserting that Jewish hatred of white gentiles had something to do with this movie?
42 - Igor Alexander
I want to correct a statement I made earlier. I wrote: "A number of people leaving comments have referred to this movie as a documentary. This film is not a documentary, folks. To the best of my knowledge, the producers never claimed that it was."
The statement that "the producers never claimed that it was" is incorrect. It is actually clearly stated at the end of the movie (in the director's cut, at least) that the film is a documentary. I had trouble paying attention to both the images and the subtitles, which went by really fast, in this movie, which probably accounts for why I missed it the first time (I've watched the movie a second time since). This, however, doesn't change my position. Just because the makers of this movie claimed that it was a documentary, doesn't make it so. Remember, we are talking about the makers of the Mondo series here, after all. Much of this movie is pure fantasy, and that which has a basis in fact has been exaggerated and dramatized. It would be like claiming that the events shown in the Amityville Horror were real because the movie poster says it's "based on a true story."
After watching Goodbye Uncle Tom a second time, I'm still not sure what its makers were trying to achieve. It's an odd movie, with a lot of mixed messages.
David Duke points the finger at Jews, but as I've already explained, this theory doesn't jibe with the fact that the movie (at least the director's cut) singles out Jews as being the founding fathers of racism.
It seems half the movie is spent trying to incite blacks to murder whites, but then the movie ends with a conciliatory "can't we all just get along?" message, emphasizing that white Americans have already paid a tremendous price for slavery in the bloodletting that was the Civil War. To quote the movie directly: ". . .the accounts are balanced. For every imported slave, one American death." In another passage: "We [blacks] must not respond to their old white racism with a new black racism."
The possibility crossed my mind that the filmmakers may have been communists who wanted to create conflict in American society in order to weaken it, but then near the end of the movie is the following: "[We blacks are] also playing the game of the white communists who want to make use of us to destroy America." There's also a part earlier in the film where it's stated that Marxists took part in the slave trade in order to finance their revolutionary activities in Europe.
I think I'm going to have to track down a copy of the English theatrical version of Goodbye Uncle Tom. I have a sneaking suspicion that it is very different from the director's cut.
I'm also going to have to find a copy of Africa Addio (Goodbye Africa), which is a documentary (a real one, this time) by the same filmmakers which, according to the reviews I've read online, shows what a hellhole Africa became after decolonialization. Stating this obvious truth is as politically incorrect as you can get and this documentary certainly didn't win the filmmakers any friends in the liberal establishment. One could wonder if the filmmakers may not have had more in common with David Duke than Mr. Duke himself realizes.
While the motivations of the financiers and the distributors of Goodbye Uncle Tom (particularly the U.S. theatrical version) remain suspect, the filmmakers themselves, Jacopetti and Prosperi, are difficult to pigeonhole and my previous analysis of their work may have been hasty and simplistic. It's my understanding that there's a documentary out about them called Godfathers of Mondo; no doubt seeing this would shed a lot of light on the issues that have been raised here.
43 - Casanova
What were you saying about David Duke?
44 - junia
i feel that this movie should be seen by everyone. the reason being is so that all of the truth of history be told. i mean everyone else history is being told so why not BLACKS! and by people seeing this movie we would get a better understanding of how different our world is now. and also if the truth is going to be out then it all needs to be said they say that slavery started in 1619 and it lasted 400 years thats a lie because it started hundreds and hundreds of years before because the pourtaguess were the first to start off the slave trade. thats why in brazil the blacks speak that language. also Sir John Hawkins was the first english slave trader and when he brought us to north america here we speak english. in the books they say that it was from 1619-1555 but thats on 64years and they got that number 64 from how long it took them to make a black slave to become mentally dead! so if the truth gone to be told then let it be told right and watch the movie all cultures and races....learn to appreciate!!
love peace, material history gurl!
45 - finnish guy
Very disturbing movie but it is nevertheless a good reminder why USA does have a big problem with rascism and why americans seem to be so obsessed about race. While Europeans have nationalism, Americans have rascism, both have caused violence(WW I and partly WW II were caused by nationalism ) but Americans after Civil War have maintained a more or less balanced society.
Jacobetti and Co. were probably misantrophes than rascists.
The thing reperations is complicated: who are the ones should pay: the whites of present day US ? Most of them came after the Civil War or had none whatsoever to do with slavery coming from countries like Poland, Finland etc that were not participating in this. Do they have pay the bill just because they happen have to same skin tone as slave owners ? This will open a whole can of worms that will lead nowhere, should Finnish-Americans sue modern Muslims because Russians sold Finnish as slaves to them during 18th century invasions/rebellions. Jews were paid reparations because it was very short time after the Holocaust and the guilty parties or the ones such as IG Farben who benefitted from slavery, were still present.
What about the black slave traders themselves, movie Cobra Verde by Werner Herzog addresses this issue. It shows that part of the defeat in tribal wars was slavery.
46 - Nicole
I cringed at the thought when I was told about slavery etc. But damn that was too much brought out in a movie to have called it Garbage. It's something that they went through without comprimise it's that simple!!!!!
Mother Fuckers try that shit although there is some out their that still look down on us. Just recently when they found Hitlers right hand man here in Ga. didn't care what fucking age he was and that son of a Bitch was in his 70's.His crime does not marit him to continue living here. Thus they ware going to ship his ass BACK to where he came from. Dog jumped and got the hell out of doge before officially being charged, tried and convicted of his crime. No id did not go un-noticed that the current proved that to his white ass this day and age.
No offense but a spade is that you deliverd bad amongst us. You suffer just like they did. Where they went is anyones guess but you bet your ass that he is'nt aroung us Black people anymore!! you can bet your ass on that.
Today my model is
HANDLE YOUR SCANDLE
47 - sNuFf_rEaLiTy
I watched this movie the other week and must say that I believe this film should be mandatory viewing for all senior high school students, or any college students interested in FILM, or AMERICAN HISTORY.
I am a 24 year old half white/half hispanic male living in New Orleans, and could easily be accused of MINOR RACIAL offenses, like most americans, MINOR RACIAL offenses being those done in the confines of my own thoughts.
However after viewing this film, I felt it would help ease racial tension in both directions. Regardless of what happened NO HUMAN BEING should be treated as a "slave".
The way the "slaves" were portrayed as animals I didn't find to be too "off". I mean these were practically tribalistic people being brought to a civilized society for forced labor.
I find the fact of slavery odd, when you look at the numbers game, and how so many allowed them to be corralled by so few, but again you have to take into account "educated development".
I am a veteran of "exploitation/gore/shock type films, and as much as this film "shocked" me, I also found it to be insightful.
It is a part of history that is too overlooked, and not represented how it should be, and that is why I mostly applaud this film, I am unsure of some of the accuracies depicted here, but it's no stretch of the imagination to think most of these things were taking place.
Finally I must say that I am against repirations for a few reasons after viewing this film, firstly our government, and half of it's people fought for the slave's, and their freedom. And secondly, if repirations were to happen we would need to hold the right people accountable, and I don't think that is possible today.
It's good to see plenty of people seeing this film, and opening their eyes to a grim history for america. Which is what it all boils down to. This has got to be the worst subject matter in american history, and honestly it is relatively untouched, or not examined to this kind of extent. To think it was AMERICAN'S doing this sort of thing is the most bothersome fact.
But it is also the only time in History where American's have divided, fought, and killed each other. So this subject has always been controversial to the point of death.
48 - Shannon
I just watched this movie yesterday and as a biracial woman it tore me to the core. I was uncomfortable for the entire length of the film, but kept watching it because I felt that the truths it depicted were important for me to remember. It showed a part of America we pretend didn't happen. We act as if slavery was like in the movie "Gone With the Wind" because it's uncomfortable to imagine human beings going through that and participating in it. I thought that it was revealing to see how everyone in those times was participating in it. I am still in shock and I'll never see slavery as a "period of history" again. Now it's vividly etched in my mind. Great uncomfortable art.
49 - Don
The scene were the beautiful blonde WHITE blue eyed girl is talking the young negro out for a walk is BEAUTIFUL What a great film!
50 - mohammed luwemba
This movie was the most accurate depictiion of the worst crime against humanity in history. The animalistic portrayal of the slaves was not to dehumanize them, but to show the slaves as they were viewed by their white oppressors. Un-like Roots and Amistad this movie showed the European slave masters and their counterparts in their truest form, ( absolute brutes). The film makers should be applauded for making such a concise and realstic portrayal of what Africans suffered at the hands of whites. I believe some demographics of people may feel uncomfortable about the film or think it is distasteful because it shows every aspect of the perculiar institution and does not sugar coat it in order to some-what ease the conscious of the descendents of the brutes and literal devils who implemented the most inhumane institution in the world history.
51 - Tua
Regarding the blogger's statement:
"I'm not sure how accurate everything else is, but even if only 10 percent of it is true, it would still be absolutely horrible.
Enslavement is an inherently dehumanizing and violating institution. The very act of making the indefensible "legal" gave slave owners permission to make human beings into things. Thus, "inhumane" behavior becomes de rigeur. During slavery, there were plantations which "bred" slaves. Enslaved Black men were forced to mate with a series of enslaved Black women. Their offspring were sold and/or staffed the plantation. Slave masters also mated with their "slaves." Rape and incest were a tacit part of the "peculiar institution." Why is this so suprising to people? Once you have enslaved a person, what WOULDN'T you do to them? The very act of referring to enslaved Africans as slaves, thus rendering them faceless, as opposed to humans who survived the grossest of treatment is eggregious... and proof that history is, and was, written by the victors. There are people alive, not many to be sure, who had parents who spent their earliest years on a plantation. I know one such person. THINK about. Slaves were humans who were tortured and maimed, denied expression and capital. They were made into commodities, products, sources of labor. Enslaved Africans endured a holocaust.
52 - sam bowskiblackman
I'm a black man that lives in detroit and I thought it was a great movie it answers those questions no american book or teacher couldn't or didn't want to answer it changed my life
53 - The Truth
Actually, this movie, besides the way its shot and besides all your views on how documentaries should be shot like you're some professionals!! depicts just how evil and how tied up in satanism and the lust for power some europeans are and still are to this day lets not blame it on america because lets face it there is no america without the slave descendants, and lets not worry about special effects, this happened and is still happening, wasn't members of the american and british army CAUGHT TAKING PICTURES OF NAKED IRAQI PRISONERS....? like they were animals these men were humiliated as though they were not members of the human race, the fact of the matter is some people are to afraid to admit just how evil their forefathers were and how much their so called elite are, who were the slave masters of that day, but the evil is gone now cos we're not slaves anymore, yah right!!! you may not act that way but with the way people have embraced all these satanic images of death and human skulls everywhere im pretty sure we'll be heading back to the days of human sacrifice. STAY ON GUARD MY BROTHERS and yes DENOUNCE HATE, but be aware!!!
54 - The TRUTH
They have not the history or level of development to understand these woe's they are a young race and we are here to help them believe it or not, as evil as some o them have been, at the end of the day they will turn to us for protection as a child turns to its mother, the problem with the views expressed here is that people always forget one thing in all they try to express and understand
and that one thing is god, you have seen clear evidence that the devil exists, do not try to work out his izm's and skizm's his psychology his education on how we should see things with all these studies on racism and people there are forces out here that alot more control over life and the world than mere men and their wicked desires, this is the work of pure evil, an evil that is even more present today with a larger collection souls,
it hasn't stopped only the physical beating has stopped, but this is here until the final day of this age