Some films quite rightly have awards glory etched into their DNA, and when the admirably uncompromising Steve McQueen announced that his next project, focussing on the subject of slavery, would feature that cast, only a fool would have bet against it collecting armfuls of prizes. (theartsdesk.com)
Other than a black housemaid born into slavery and an army cook who longs for the freedom of his family, the subject of slavery is usually skirted. (parentpreviews.com)
To confront the subject of slavery in the most brutal uncompromising manner, McQueen and screenwriter John Ridley have drawn from the memoir of Solomon Northup, a New York - born musician kidnapped in 1841 and enslaved for twelve years before being freed. (impulsegamer.com)