There are encounters with a comical predecessor of the KKK (
led by a terrifically over the top Don Johnson), a small
town sheriff who is not what he seems and, of course, the very proper southern gentleman / Mandingo fighting aficionado and
plantation owner, Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio)-- and his right hand
plantation man, house slave Stephen (Samuel L. Jackson, stealing every scene he's in in a scary, mean, dangerously funny role).
The journey
leads to spectacular lookouts, waterfalls, lakes, national parks, rainforests, agricultural lands, sugar cane, tropical fruit
plantations and charming small
towns rich in arts and crafts, music and festivals.