Over the years since this film first came out it has received something of a love hate relationship with viewers. Amazon have provided their own review filled with the sneers and sarcasm that have resulted more from critics knee jerk pandering to the masses than serious critical review. Others have pushed the old "political correct" Motive behind the film (For anyone who doesn't know, political correct roughly translates as "Something I disagree with, usually something I deem to be either left wing regardless of whether it is or not)



What should not be taken for granted however is the level of emotion still felt by many African Americans regarding the trans Atlantic slave trade. I first watched this film at a cinema in the United States and can recall (I assume) a black American walking out during the film with tears in his eyes clearly emotionally distressed at what he was seeing (It was during the scene describing the trans Atlantic journey when many were whipped, beaten and the sick thrown overboard.



I seriously doubt however, that Spielburg under estimated the feelings of black Americans and while this film is certainly not of the quality of Schindler's List it certainly isn't ET. To make that kind of comparison is frankly absurd. My guess is Spielberg went for something based loosely on historical fact similar to Saving Private Ryan.



While the argument that the characters may well be one dimensional I assume a previous reviewer did not bother the watch the film before he reviewed it and declared it "politically correct" because the film clearly shows that Cinque was kidnapped by Africans and sold to Europeans.



Spielberg does try to show the diversity of ethnic groups such as Muslims and Animist, one man seems to be taken by Christianity (a convert no less in such harsh circumstances!) The men speak in different languages and at times are argumentative amongst themselves (A comparison can be made to the imprisonment of Jews during WW2 and the disputes that arose between Jews of various nationalities)



Speilburg tries hard. He shows that the Spanish and Portuguese were the main participants in the slave trade (The British admiral giving evidence and yes, Britian did send out ships to attack Spanish and Portuguese slave traders) The conflict within the United States itself regarding slavery and the divide between north and a south that still relied heavily on a slave work force.



Morgan Freedman provides us with the character of a black man born in the United States with no concept of slavery himself and no direct links with Africa. An abolishinsist non the less.



Yes, the film may be less than accurate in regards to specific events but I believe Speilburg was attempting to provide the viewer with an overview of what slavery was and the struggle against it.