Book
Of Negroes (2015/E1 DVD Set)
Picture:
B+ Sound: B Extras: A Episodes: A-
The
Book of Negroes is a story of loss, endurance, and the struggle
for freedom, the story of Aminata Diallo. As she was a young girl,
she was brought over as a slave in America, survived as a runaway
slave and then through the American Revolution. Through her life she
has met many people and through her eyes does she sees the ideas of
her people, the good and bad of her 'Masters', and through her book
she gives testimony to the courage of their survival.
Aminata
at a young age watched as her parents were murdered and then herself
was sold to be a slave in America. As she survived the horror of
treatment of slaves, she could be raped at any time, beaten for
anything, even her child was considered property of her 'Masters' and
could be sold for profit. Through her quick wit and intelligence she
became self educated and became a runaway slave, but then the war
came and the Negroes had to decide if they were on the American
rebels or British loyalists depending on the promise of freedom.
Even after the war, Aminata realized it was freedom for the
Americans, but not the freedom of the slaves.
This
was an insightful TV mini-series of life of slavery through the eyes
of a young slave girl. As her innocence was ripped away, she learns
of the harsh cruelness of reality, and the need for hope through the
stories told by others like her. She meets many people and only then
realizes how fortunate she is, and she took freedom for granted.
Even after the American Revolution, the American who fought for
freedom didn't think it also applied to slaves, and the irony of
British ending their slave trade before the Americans. In the end,
she comes full circle in many ways which you can see when you
experience this amazing series with Aunjanue Ellis, Lyriq Bent, Louis
Gossett, Jr. and Cuba Gooding, Jr.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is exceptional for the format,
the lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is also well recorded & mixed and
extras includes a booklet, Deleted Scenes, interviews with cast and
crew, and History of the Black Loyalist Society.
-
Ricky Chiang
