Harriet (I) (2019) User Reviews

Harriet Tubman's Heroes Journey -- this film moved me!

[Sasha_Lauren · 8/10 · 11 February 2020]

HARRIET (2019)

Abolitionist Harriet Tubman escaped from Maryland to Philadelphia in 1849 on foot by following the North Star and utilizing the help of the Underground Railroad, a network of secret routes and safe houses set up by white abolitionists and free people of color to help slaves to freedom. She then repeatedly risked her life by going back into the lion's den over a period of eleven years to lead other slaves to their freedom. She never lost a passenger. This is so damn brave it makes my head spin.

This film served up a substantantial serving of history, embellished by a modicum of fiction. Though it's not a movie masterpiece, it's a strong depiction of Harriet's Heroes Journey that lifted me up for days. Cynthia Erivo's portrayal of a determined Harriet, known before her liberation as Araminta "Minty" Ross, (and later nicknamed Moses because she helped her people escape to freedom), was stirring; her singing was the gold on the edges. Harriet used spirituals as coded messages to warn fellows of danger or to signal a clear path.

The antagonist in the story is the racist, corrupt system of slavery embodied in part by her heartless owners. Plagued by hypersomnia sleeping spells caused by a head injury when she was thirteen, Minty's owner Edward Bodess tried to sell her. This would separate her from her family. There were no buyers for her. Angry, Minty prayed, "Oh Lord, if you ain't never going to change that man's heart, kill him, Lord, and take him out of the way." Edward died. Harriet expressed regret for that prayer.

Joe Alwyn played Gideon Brodess, Edward's grown son, with a conniving, lecherous sneer. Guideon leered after Minty and tormented her. Harriet's husband was a free black man in theory, but not reality; any future children of the couple would be slaves, regardless of papers granting manumet to Harriet's kin, which the Brodesses ignored. She and her husband planned to escape together, but Tubman fled alone and travelled a hundred miles through wilderness to Pennsylvania, being followed by her scummy owner Gildeon. Well, screw him, she made it, and became a heroine.

I'm curious why people say this is entirely fictional?

[brittniepimental · 8/10 · 6 January 2020]

I won't say this is completely steeped in reality. But it's not entirely fictional like some seem to claim. I think the acting was very good. A solid B film in my opinion, and the film was definitely memorable too. You also need to recognize that outside of a paragraph in most K-12 history books, the average person knows next to nothing about Harriet Tubman. Adding some pizzazz to her life to make a film more intriguing and exciting is hardly new or surprising. This is not a documentary. I'd like some people to give specifics about what is so incredibly fictional. I only saw one review of the many I quickly read that gave an example. Plus, historians consulted on the film that then were interviewed and discussed reality versus fiction in many articles. One example is given below. I'd say, make your OWN opinion on this one.

Perhaps not perfect, but good.

[thesuthernman · 8/10 · 9 November 2019]

No documentary is perfect, and besides, this is not a documentary--it is a movie. I'm sure some facts were not accurate, but I'm also sure they did Harriet justice. The movie was moving and thought provoking. My only real criticism was the score. They must have saved money there. The acting was good as were the other cinematic elements. Skip the fake superhero movies and watch a real superhero...and if you don't think Harriet Tubman was a superhero, I can't help you with any review.

A dishonor to an amazing woman

[meusvita · 3 November 2019]

I attend a HBCU and have read, and studied, Harriet Tubman's life. I don't even know where to begin. There is no account of her ever standing with Union soldiers and pointing a gun. There are so many errors and what I saw on the screen was complete fiction. I wasn't expecting a documentary, of course, but the woman they portrayed lived a completely different life to everything I've been taught by professors who live and breathe African American history. Hollywood should be ashamed.

"Must have been wearing my high boots that day"

[ThomasDrufke · 7/10 · 5 November 2019]

Oscar season is fully underway as there's nearly a new film every week that is attempting to garner enough praise to warrant awards consideration. Harriet's marketing campaign was less than stellar, and without a lot of buzz, I figured it was going to be a throwaway period piece about an iconic American hero. Luckily, Cynthia Ervo and a great ensemble help put this fill over the mediocre edge and instead boast a crowd-pleaser of a film. One that audiences seem to be on board with, and rightfully so. It's certainly not re-inventing the biopic formula, but it's undeniably engaging.

7.0/10

We're Gonna Need a Bigger Cart...

[kz917-1 · 7/10 · 29 March 2020]

Fantastic job on the FIRST feature film about Harriet Tubman. All of the actors did a great job bringing this historical figure to life. This film deserved more accolades than it received.

Great Movie

[lcwater · 10/10 · 5 November 2019]

I'm not understanding why so many people are hating on this movie. Show me a movie based on the life of a real person where the entire movie is 100% factual. I thought it did depict what I have read about Harriet Tubman in books, online, and what I actually read when I visited the Harriet Tubman museums/visitor center in Church Creek, MD, and Cambridge, MD. It was not poorly done. I loved it and highly recommend it!

standard biopic

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 20 January 2020]

It's 1849 Maryland. Minty (Cynthia Erivo) is a slave married to a free black man named John. Her family is supposed to be freed after the death of the old master but his family continues to hold them in bondage. In desperation, she makes a run to the North guided by God's voice in her head. She finds safety in Philadelphia where she takes her free name Harriet Tubman. She would return time and again to rescue her family and other slaves as one of the conductors of the underground railroad.

This is a standard biopic of anti-slavery heroine Harriet Tubman. It's a serious take. The tone is singular which leaves the movie rather flat. I'm not calling for some broad jokes to inject silly humor or grotesque violence to horrify. The constant uninspired narrative can take a toll on the tension. The movie could push the intensity of the escapes. There are emotional power points but they always seem a little melodramatic. I have some issues with the awkward staging of the killing of Marie and the final confrontation with Gideon. They are very standard in a bad way. This material is ready for a truly great biopic but this movie is only at a passable level.

Harriet Empowered Herself

[belle2264 · 9/10 · 1 February 2020]

I have seen this film twice. The first time was at the Middleburg Film Festival, where the Director spoke afterwards. What is unique about this movie? Its honesty and its focus. I cannot relate to the bad reviews at all. It is NOT a cartoon. It does NOT depict Harriet as a superhero. She suffered greatly. But the film focuses on the empowerment of Harriet, largely through her own bravery, rather than making her a one dimensional victim. She is a hero because she took risks and made choices that other characters did not. She felt that God was working through her to show that the slavery system could be beaten. But the slaveholders cited God too, so you see both sides.

The other characters' choices not to run are explained and we understand them. How can you run with two small children and your "mistress" calling for you every minute? The horrific abuses of the slavery system are woven into the story, as motivators for escape and abolition, but in contrast to any other slavery film, the focus is not on helpless slaves, and this makes it powerful. It is also the first film depicting slavery that made me see the economic desperation of not-that-rich white slaveholders as a driver for their cruelty. One can feel what it is like being born into this system, told from childhood that other people belong to you and being widowed or orphaned by an inept debtor, with your main assets as slaves. You felt how this brought out the worst aspects of human character, especially with your neighbors behaving the same way. This subplot is very important, because it helps us to understand why the US had this system for so long and what it took to overcome it.

Well Done

[bearcrkrd · 6/10 · 8 November 2019]

A very well done film. not an "instant classic", but 100% watchable from first scene to ending credits. Cynthia Erivo pulls it off like an old pro. really the acting is fine all around. that speaks to the Director too. kudos to Kasi Lemmons for that, and making this a flick that could be a First Date choice. they could have gone a Tarantino - 12 Years a Slave hybrid direction but chose not to. makes it too "soft" for some, but again, kudos to Kasi Lemmons. if you're in middle or high school it's worth standing in line for. if you're not, this one may not be an absolute must see, but DO check it out later on streaming, etc., if not at the theater.

Straight up TRASH!

[senegalstyle · 1/10 · 2 November 2019]

WHY? How difficult is it to get first hand and historical accounts and stick to THAT SCRIPT? What on earth is to be gained by taking a larger than life figure, a real person and throwing in random people and events that never happened?

If you want to see a REAL MOVIE on Harriet Tubman, look at the Cicely Tyson version: A Woman Called Moses.

DON'T believe the LIES about this film. This film is PHENOMENAL!

[The_IndieFilmmaker · 10/10 · 2 November 2019]

If you are thinking of going to see this film, please, PLEASE do not believe the negative lies about this film. This film is PHENOMENAL. There's no Harriet romancing any white masters, there's no sex scenes with Harriet and everything the film says Harriet did, Harriet actually did in reality. The reason why people are being negative about this film is to keep the masses from seeing this film BECAUSE of its message. They don't want you to see and know the message of this film, the message of this film being that both black and white people can work together, for equality and for freedom.

So i'm telling you, this film is WORTH the $24.50, you will not regret it. I KNOW it because I just came from seeing this film an hour ago tonight. GO SEE this film, it is POWERFUL.

Drop the Dramatizations

[view_and_review · 6/10 · 11 November 2019]

This is a movie that needed to be made. I don't mean this movie specifically, but a movie about Harriet Tubman, definitely.

What needs to be known and what needs to be said is that Harriet was an amazing woman no matter what. She assisted dozens of slaves in escaping to freedom, that is enough to be considered a hero. So, whether she did so in an authoritarian way, in a sage way, or in a simple way, none of that enhances or detracts from what she did.

I say that because they made Harriet a prophet of sorts in the movie. Her ability to elude capture was aided by her clairvoyance as much as it was aided by benevolent people and her sheer force of will. I will plead ignorance to Harriet being somewhat prescient, but I have never heard that narrative. If that was a dramatization, then it was so unnecessary. This woman was incredible and achieved incredible feats regardless if she was precognitive or not.

This addition to the Harriet Tubman story didn't derail the movie. It was an annoyance but one that could be overlooked. What I couldn't easily overlook were two characters. One was Walter (Henry Hunter Hall) and the other was Bigger Long (Omar J. Dorsey). Let me explain.

Harriet was escaping through the woods with a group in tow. At the same time, Walter, a (presumably free) black man was in those woods spying on them. But he wasn't simply just spying he actually sketched a picture of Harriett while waiting!!! There was so much wrong with that that I don't know where to start panning it.

We find out later that this clandestine sketch artist is a hustler of sorts, offering whatever services to whoever for whatever he can get. That includes selling the sketch and his tracking services to white slavers.

It didn't stop there; this hustling sketch artist can also find the infamous slave catcher/tracker Bigger Long. Bigger was a Robin Harris/Biggie Smalls/Rick Ross looking dude with the gravitas in 1850 to say to some armed white men that he would spend his money on as many "" as he can afford.

This character was so over the top and anachronistic he looked like he was pulled out of the 60's Black Power movement.

A movie about Harriet Tubman doesn't need to be overshadowed by such dramatizations. There was a lot of good in this movie. We saw Harriet's strength, her determination, her resolve, and her leadership abilities. If the movie focused more on that then it would have been better for it.

If you're expecting a movie about the real Harriet Tubman, this isn't it. It's more like a Lifetime movie

[Credemi · 1/10 · 2 November 2019]

This has to be the biggest disappointment of 2019. Whenever a movie is made about historical figures, there's always some degree of fiction. However, they went above and beyond this to a degree that was ridiculous. They needlessly created primary characters that aren't part of the historical record . Also, some elements of the relationship between Harriet Tubman and the slave master were totally unbelievable.The acting was ok but, never reached the caliber that one would expect for this type of film. Finally, the cinematography wasn't that great. It was done in a way that made it seem like a Lifetime movie or something that should have gone straight to dvd instead of being in theaters.

We are reviewing this FILM, which is poor to mediocre, and not Harriet Tubman's life which was one profound heroic courage

[random-70778 · 28 October 2019]

I wonder if the people giving this film a "nine" or "ten star" review or rating even saw this film? We are rating the film, not the person. If there is a botched and problem ridden film on da Vinci we don't rate the bad film highly because we like the person who is putative its subject.

Please. The scripting is insultingly lowbrow, almost patronizing. The acting talent has a good record in other productions but in this film is unrealized due to the other problems. There are quite a few ahistoric, frankly false, events in this film which are not needed and make the film more a less than credible hagiography as opposed to the plenty sufficient bravery, courage and strength of Tubman herself. Why maker her some kind of mythical comic book type character???? Is this the story about a real life hero, or about a graphic novel superwoman who people will just assume is fictional?

Lastly, I am not a religious believer. I am a confirmed atheist. But I find it troubling that Tubman's deep religious feelings and expression, whihc she used as the main, if not sole lens though which she saw the world, and which motivated her, is discounted.

The film is not a total loss, but Tubman deserves better, much better, as do contemporary audiences.

Harriet was due

[ferguson-6 · 6/10 · 31 October 2019]

Greetings again from the darkness. As far as I can tell, there has never before been a feature film profiling Harriet Tubman. Given her remarkable accomplishments and historic standing as an iconic American hero, we should all agree that it's high time. The film plays as a passion project for writer-director Kasi Lemmons (EVE'S BAYOU, 1997) and her co-writer Gregory Allen Howard (REMEMBER THE TITANS, 2000). Cinematically speaking, it's a fairly formulaic biopic; however, from a historical perspective, HARRIET is story that was due to be told.

Cynthia Erivo (WIDOWS, BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE) stars as Araminta Ross, known as Minty. She was born into slavery, and the film picks up in 1849 Maryland when she is being sold 'down south' by her heartless owner Gideon Brodess (an understated Joe Alwyn, THE FAVOURITE). Rather than be separated from her family, Minty runs (she does a lot of running). She runs until cornered, and then leaps from a bridge into rushing water. It's only after her treacherous 100 mile walk to Pennsylvania that she becomes a free woman and changes her name to Harriet Tubman - in honor of her mother and husband.

She receives help along the way. Reverend Samuel Green (Vondie Curtis Hall) plays a recurring role in her escape and later rescues. Once in Pennsylvania, she meets abolitionist William Still (Leslie Odom Jr, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, 2017), who runs the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society and introduces her to fellow abolitionist Marie Buchanon (Janelle Monae). Ms. Buchanan is a free black woman, as elegant in her manner as she is dedicated to the cause ... and she's worthy of her own story.

Harriet decides she must go back and rescue her family. She is told the trip is foolish and too risky - which doesn't stop her from making 13 trips and saving 70 slaves. We learn of her work with the Underground Railroad - not a train, but rather a secretive organization committed to helping slaves escape to freedom. After the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, Harriet's work becomes even more difficult, as she must guide the slaves all the way to Canada. Omar J Dorsey plays Bigger Long, an expert slave hunter - yes, that's an actual occupation - hired by Harriet's owner to capture her. When Harriet converts Walter the scout (Henry Hunter Hall), the colorful character becomes a valuable ally and strong believer.

As a young girl, Minty/Harriet had her skull cracked by a slave owner whilst standing in the wrong place at the wrong time. After that, she experienced episodes, "spells" that she claimed were visions from God. The film captures quite a few of these and treats Harriet as someone "touched". Was this the prophecy or was Harriet an extraordinarily resourceful and tenacious woman? The message of God is present throughout, and it's difficult to not view this as unintentionally taking a chip out of what Harriet accomplished.

Slave owners were baffled by the rescues conducted by this mythic figure they named "Moses". Of course, they assumed it was a man, and once Harriet's identity was exposed, her former owner was held accountable by other slave owners. It's at that point where Gideon Brodess' mother Eliza makes one of the most cold-hearted, racist speeches we've seen on film. Eliza is played by Jennifer Nettles, the singer for C&W band Sugarland. In 1858, Harriet crosses paths with abolitionists John Brown and Frederick Douglas, and delivers an impassioned speech of her own in the presence of Senator William Seward (one of Booth's targets in the Lincoln assassination). Harriet assisted Brown with recruitment for his raid on Harpers Ferry. In 1863, Harriet led the Comahee River Raid, which resulted in 750 slaves being set free.

The film might be a bit slick, but the acting is top notch, and Harriet's story is remarkable. Director Lemmons forgoes the brutality of 12 YEARS A SLAVE, and tries to cover Harriet's time as a slave, her first escape off the bridge, and her continued work freeing other slaves. Harriet went on to become a Civil War spy for the Union, and later a respected elder who worked for women's voting rights and to make latter life a bit easier for former slaves. It's possible a movie was not the best format to tell Harriet's story ... a story that continued to develop until her death in 1913 at age 91 (or thereabouts). But it's important to have her story documented in some way other than the textbooks kids likely won't read. A film that tackles such a towering historical figure deserves a little slack.

An Inspiring Tale That Suffers from Uninspiring Dialogue

[Metaflix · 7/10 · 6 November 2019]

Harriet Tubman has near-universal name recognition. Soon, she'll even be replacing Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill. But the events of her life, which is why her name is so recognized and why she deserves to be featured on currency, are far less known. This makes seeing Kasi Lemmons' 'Harriet' more valuable than just spending a couple of hours watching a movie. It's also like spending time at an educational lecture, gaining a deeper understanding of our history, our country, and ourselves.

Cynthia Erivo gives a phenomenal performance as Harriet and the story itself is truly inspirational. Throughout the film, however, the dialogue often stands out like a sore thumb, dragging the film's overall rating down. It either comes off as far too cliche, mundane, or basic compared to everything else in the movie, making it that much more (painfully) noticeable.

Overall, we still recommend seeing 'Harriet' for the reasons noted above, but just wish the pencil used to write it were a little sharper.

Phenomenal

[j-ninja392 · 10/10 · 13 November 2019]

Harriet Tubman was all about standing up to slavery and helping slaves escape to a life of freedom. This film captured every aspect of her. She knew the risks of what would happen if she was to be captured, but that didn't stop her into rescuing the people who wanted to be free. From being a former slave to becoming one of America's greatest heroes is something to be admired. This film is a message, one that others can easily understand to not just stay silent, but to help others seek a better life.

More than surviving

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 4 March 2021]

American History is riddled with many dark ... this may not be the most political way to describe it I reckon. There are things in the past that the USA still hasn't completely dealt with. And there are still things going on that can be considered discriminating to say the least.

So this is a powerful story of a woman that fought against a system that was more than wrong, no matter how it was viewed back then. We may almost find it comical that some people were crying when they lost slaves. Not because they regarded them as humans but as property and value (in money). But the titular character had other plans, not just for herself, but for others that had it as bad or worse than her.

The question is, if you want to delve into that past, if you want to see what this is showing. For education mostly of course, but also for a powerful message.

I highly recommend seeing it

[bcblyle · 10/10 · 5 November 2019]

Harriet kept my attention the entire time. It is fast paced, well acted, well written. While showing the cruelty of slave owners, the film stays focused on Harriet the entire time. Hope this isn't a spoiler, but I left inspired. Harriet was a courageous, determined rescuer. I'm really glad there is a movie about her.

Nice film, awful documentary

[alco_b · 7/10 · 18 April 2020]

I think so many here are rating the film based on accuracy as opposed to whether or not it was a good cinematic experience. If the film were called something else, and you didn't spend the entire time comparing it to some encyclopedia (or Wikipedia for a lot of you), would you have enjoyed it? Probably, because it was interesting, suspenseful, exciting, moving, and well acted.

Remember it is not supposed to be a documentary. If it were, then yes, rate it based on accuracy. Even then, many aspects of her life were included in the movie. I deduct 1 star for inaccuracy, and the other two because it isn't a perfect film.

How does a movie like Avengers filler with completely made-up, unrealistic, green giants and floating hammers rate 8/9? Because you're rating the movie, not the accuracy. Then you watch Harriet, and suddenly you're a historian and a film critic. I dare you to make your own film, and make it better.

Watch it, enjoy it, learn a little bit, appreciate a lot. 7/10.

Ho Hum Harriet

[ThomasBombadil · 5/10 · 18 September 2019]

Putting aside the directing, editing and overall story line the films most egregious aspect may actually be the score. Think cheesy lifetime TV movie style of music. It is so terrible in fact it is actually distracting. This might actually be the only silver lining considering the sluggish pace of the film that also unfortunately only tells one part of Harriet Tubman's incredible life. It is unfortunate that it has taken Hollywood this long to make a film about Tubman; however, perhaps they should have waited a little longer to get it right.

Historic Fiction

[bryce-martin · 10/10 · 4 November 2019]

Incredibly well-done movie. No, not everything is 100% accurate to the real Harriet Tubman's life experiences, but the filmmakers still stuck close enough to her life's script that you can learn quite a bit about her. I will gladly watch it again as part of my Civil War era movie marathon!

Fiction is Stranger Than Truth in This Bio-Pic

[jadepietro · 7/10 · 25 January 2020]

GRADE: B-

THIS FILM IS RECOMMENDED.

IN BRIEF: Historically inaccurate, but a well-acted bio-pic.

JIM'S REVIEW: Let's talk history and begin this review with a side note about banknotes. Harriet Tubman, that famous Civil War heroine who saved hundreds of slaves as a "conductor" for the Underground Railroad still may not have her own $20 bill...that's long in the working stages, but she does finally have her own movie.

Harriet, the film biography of the this famous abolitionist's life, plays more like a game of truth or dare, with more of the latter and less of the former. It's Hollywood's version of a real-life figure and, once again, historical accuracy be damned!

A former slave, Harriet (a wonderful Cynthia Erivo, giving a fierce performance) escapes from slave owner Eliza Brodess (a fine Jennifer Nettles portraying this real person). Harriet is chased by Eliza's grandson, Gideon (a walking example of fake news, and played with overwrought villainous glee by Joe Alwyn). A bounty on her head as a runaway slave, she also eludes trackers who worked to catch slaves running north. Although black trackers were in the minority, the film has African-American actor Omar Dorsey in the role of Bigger Long to heighten the drama and sense of irony.

That said, many elements of the story are based on facts: she was born Araminta "Minty" Ross before renaming herself, had godly visions, dressed as a man, was a straight-shooter who carried guns, walked 100 miles to escape capture, risked her life numerous times to travel in the South and rescued approximately 70 slaves (not the embellished 300). All true events in this icon's life. Also on the plus side, the film does not soften her character and shows her to be the militant radical that she proudly professed to be.

Still, director / Writer Kasi Lemmons' film takes too many creative liberties and makes Ms. Tubman into a modern day superhero without cape or spandex. This woman may be fearless in her mission, but there's enough far-fetched exaggeration thrown in to preach to any choir or denomination. The director and co-screenwriter, Gregory Allen Howard, lay it on rather thickly, serving the melodramatic hyperbole in huge dollops as thick as day-old Southern grits. Instead of restraining their emotional focus on the title character's factual life, they pump up the story with enough dangerous adventures and add too many fictitious characters which push the limits of history while moving the plot along at a brisk pace. Loosely based on the facts, the film continually contradicts reality, even if it remains rousing entertainment. The plot device of Harriet Tubman's freaky premonitions and fainting spells are overdone and are more frequently on view in this movie than one would find in an average Stephen King horror film.

Ms. Erivo is excellent in the lead role. She shows her character's courage and determination with a vengance. The actress also displays Ms. Tubman's vulnerability in the film's rare quieter moments. The acting is strong throughout the film with ample support from Leslie Odom Jr. as real-life activist William Still, Zackary Momoh as her husband John, Clarke Peters as her father, and Janelle Monáe as freed slave Marie Buchanon (not a real-life individual).

Harriet Tubman's life-story is a solid and powerful tale of an oppressed woman's fight for freedom. It truly deserved a more accurate treatment and could have stood on its own without the creative tinkering. (I think Harriet would have agreed.) Harriet, the film, does shamelessly manipulate facts vs. fiction, but the movie tells an important chapter in our nation's history with consistent flair and is crowd-pleasing in its storytelling of a legendary American hero.

What a shame.

[momsipadonly · 3/10 · 4 November 2019]

For a movie that could have been steeped in actual history about an incredible woman they created a storyline that was complete rubbish ( fiction) and denied viewers insight into some of that most amazing things about this women. What a shame. I think people that loved this movie simply don't really know their history. The primary antagonist was a made up person to drive a fictional storyline.