Now is a good time to reflect on how movies about emancipation and Slavery have been used to tell different parts of the story of America. From Birth of a Nation to The Help, movies have often been vehicles for examining race and prejudice in America.
But they also provide a window into what life was like for freed people and their descendants. Here are 10 movies about emancipation.
Movies About Emancipation
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn (Actors)
Lincoln
Daniel Day Lewis is spectacular in an Oscar(R)-winning performance as Abraham Lincoln in Steven Spielberg’s film about the 16th President.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Raymond Massey, Gene Lockhart, Ruth Gordon (Actors)
Abe Lincoln in Illinois
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Nate Parker, Armie Hammer, Mark Boone Jr. (Actors)
The Birth of a Nation
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- John Wayne, William Holden, Hoot Gibson (Actors)
The Horse Soldiers
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- LeVar Burton, Cicely Tyson, Edward Asner (Actors)
Roots
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Samuel L. Jackson, James Baldwin, Dick Cavett (Actors)
I Am Not Your Negro
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Ioan Gruffudd, Romola Garai, Albert Finney (Actors)
Amazing Grace
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A Woman Called Moses
To continue learning, check out the Harriet Movie Study.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Bené Batista, Jonas Bloch, Zózimo Bulbul (Actors)
Quilombo
Slaves
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Solomon Northup's Odyssey
Solomon Northup was a black man in the mid-19th century who was born a freeman and worked as a carpenter and part-time musician. Approached to play for a group of men, he is kidnapped and sold into slavery.
Based on the autobiography 12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup and the first filmed version of his story.
If you enjoyed this list of movies, I have a monthly membership for parents and educators that want to teach or supplement lessons with shows and movies.
“I absolutely love sharing movies with my kids as a way to teach them valuable lessons. It's like this awesome bonding experience where we all snuggle up on the couch with some popcorn, and I get to see their little faces light up with curiosity. Whether it's a classic with timeless morals or a new animated flick with hidden gems of wisdom, it's a fantastic way to impart important life lessons in a fun and engaging way. Plus, the post-movie discussions are priceless – hearing their take on the characters and the story adds a whole new dimension to our family time.” –a Homeschooling parent
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- List of This Month’s Suggested Themes
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These resources are worth it if you'd like to easily incorporate shows and movies into your homeschooling.
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